Monthly Content Review: December

Get chance to read my first monthly content review last month? In it, I offer links to some handy resources and blogs small to medium-sized businesses can make the most of, for the rest of this year and beyond, to ensure things are kept ticking along quite nicely.

So, what happened in November? Here's a snapshot of my month as a freelance copywriter.

I've been working with the lovely team over at True9 for some weeks now, helping them get a long-running client's website ready for a refresh. I've been crafting some new content for all sections of their site, including the 'About Us' page, and turning some of their case studies into (I hope) sparkling prose!

I continue to write a series of lighthearted but informative health blogs for Chemist.co.uk, as well as keep the news section of the Yazz Hair site updated. On top of this, I've recently hit 'send' on another blog for the Oxford Dictionaries site, and spent a lot of the month finalising plans for a website for my other writing-related venture. It's been a busy 2017 and I can't wait to see what 2018 has in store for myself and my clients

Two Go Wild on the Channel Islands!

I was in need of a spot of relaxation this month, what with all those projects on the go, so it's pretty convenient that my job sometimes allows me to jet off somewhere lovely and enjoy a trip away - completely free!

This assignment saw me writing a piece for Simply Magazines' portfolio of glossy mags, with a trip to Jersey with my Mum. Find out what happened when 'two went wild on the Channel Islands' by clicking here. Plus, you can also drool over this delicious-looking afternoon tea, below.

Rock 'n' Royal & a Trip Down Memory Lane!

News of the Royal wedding saw me take a trip down memory lane recently, thanks to this front page scoop I scored for a paper I used to be a full-time writer on. Who knew Prince Harry was a fan of former punk band, the Towers of London?!

Apparently, he is. Or was. I posted all about it on my Instagram page (come and say hello, if you haven't already).

Time to Plan for 2018?

If you're a small business owner like myself, maybe you're ready to get the ball rolling on a great 2018? If that's the case, you can do a lot worse than check out this blog by the folks over at Moz.com.

It features tips on building a content marketing strategy, and it offers all sorts of advice you can make use of in the New Year. One of my goals for 2018 is to get better at updating my social media pages - and it's one thing we all could try to do as January comes into view.

I'm helping myself get organised with a paper planner. I usually use Google calendar to schedule events and meetings - and I still will be doing. But for longer-term objectives, I'll be using this fun little planner I found on Amazon. Who said organisers need to be dull?

Instagram: #thanksforthememories!

If you're an Instagram devotee and you haven't yet done it, make sure you head here to discover your social media highlights for the year.

The 'Instagram Best Nine' site rounds up...yep, you guessed it...nine of your most-liked photos from 2017, creating a fun and nostalgic photo collage for you to look back on. Or wonder why you're such a narcissist (see mine, below) #slightlyashamed

Are you on Instagram? Hit 'follow' on my business page here and I promise I'll do the same back.

I just wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone - my clients, old and new, and anyone who's stopped by and read my blog, or simply made an enquiry via my site, a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2018.

And if you think I can help you tick a few things off your to-do list in the New Year, get in touch and I'll book out some time for you in my new planner.

Until next time...

Jersey Girls: Two Go Wild on the Channel Islands!

So, I'm hoping the headline grabbed your attention! And now that it has, I must apologise. 'Two Go Wild on the Channel Islands' isn't the name of a long-lost Enid Blyton book, and 'Jersey Girls' isn't a spin off of a hit theatre show.*

Instead, it's a short tale of when me and my dear old Ma packed our cases and enjoyed a not-so-wild, actually, (we were there for a spot of relaxation), but blimming enjoyable, weekend at Jersey's beautiful Club Hotel and Spa.

Above: A suite at The Club Hotel and Spa

Above: The view from outside

What's this got to do with my copywriting website, or the services I can offer?! Well, I'm letting you know that I'm available for hire for much more than penning copy for brochures and e-newsletters. In a past-life (okay, not all that long ago), I was a journalist, and I'm still very fortunate to be invited on the odd press trip these days. This one was the latest in a string of commissions for Simply Magazines - and by 'eck, it didn't feel at all like work.

Here's what happened:

Friday

12pm: After a leisurely breakfast, we headed to the airport for our flight from Liverpool. Jersey is a mere one-hour journey by plane, so it really is somewhere to consider if you're fancying a mini break. Not quite Britain, not quite France, it feels like 'you're on your holidays' without having to go too far. As the French do (probably), we stuffed our plump, festive faces on croque monsieurs and touched down before we'd even had chance to wipe the breadcrumbs from our tray table.

4pm: Later that day and we were well and truly getting stuck right into 'all things Jersey'. By bus, we'd found our way into Saint Helier (home to The Club Hotel and Spa) and been pointed in the direction of our home for the next few nights by a lovely lady behind the tourist information counter at the station (who needs Google Maps when you can have a conversation with a real, live person?!). A brisk walk up quaint shopping streets filled with festive fare and we were at our destination, ready to be greeted by the staff in the hotel foyer, which was already festively trimmed up with a huge tree.

8pm: Gladrags on (well, jeans and a top) and we were soon seated in the hotel's award-winning, one-Michelin-starred Bohemia restaurant. It's in the Top 100 restaurants, don'tchaknow? We got two canapes in (absolutely delicious, let me tell you) before having to cut the evening short and head back up to our room. My Mum, who'd started feeling groggy almost as soon as we got off the bus in Jersey, wasn't feeling too great at all. I can't tell you how gutted we were not to experience Bohemia's food and service, but the attentive staff couldn't do enough for us. We later got holed up in our room, robe and slippers on, and ordered room service, tucking in when my Mum felt up to it. It was just what the doctor ordered, as it were!

Above: Room service, madams!

Saturday

8am: After a top notch night's sleep in the hotel's beds (complete with extremely comfy Hypnos mattresses), we got ourselves ready and headed down for a continental breakfast. There's something about piling your plate with hams, cheeses and croissants to make you feel, well, a little bit la-de-dah.

9am: A morning's shopping ensured we could tick a few things off our Christmas to-do lists. If you've yet to visit Jersey, make sure you head straight to their department stores. You'll enjoy tax-free shopping on all manner of goodies. Plus, there's just something about checking out a shop or two which you can't find at home. A few shopping bags filled later and we were back in the hotel, robes and slippers on again, and ready for a treatment or two in The Club Hotel's spa.

12.15pm: What's that you say?! Ooops, sorry; I nodded off for a second there. Such was the relaxation level of my gorgeous Carita facial that I was in a deep sleep before the friendly therapist could say: '...and relax'. My Mum opted for a similar luxurious facial and came out looking like she'd woken from a Sleeping Beauty-style slumber. Hello, fresher, plumper skin!

Above: The hotel's tranquil pool

2pm: A swim in the hotel's pool was followed by a quick shower and a mascara and lippy re-touch, before we headed down to the bar for an afternoon tea like no other. Seriously, would you just look at some of these delights (below)! One of them - a chocolate bauble - contained a miniature truffle inside. We were reliably informed by the bar staff, though, that some contain £25 gift vouchers! Do afternoon teas get any more special?! I think not.

Above: Get in my mouth!

4.30pm: I'd love to tell you we hit up Jersey's most popular tourist attractions while we were there. Instead, we spent much of the weekend ticking even more things off our Christmas shopping list - so back to the streets of St Helier it was, for a look around some of its lovely, independent boutiques.

Above: The quaint, 'French' streets of St Helier

6.30pm - A few hours later and we were back in the comfort of our gorgeous suite, room service ordered again and Strictly Come Dancing on the telly. All that relaxation and shopping had clearly worn us out.

Sunday

8am: It was now nearly time to say goodbye to the Jersey and The Club Hotel and Spa and its staff. We made sure to make the most of the continental breakfast buffet again, stocking ourselves up for the day on buttery croissants and creamy yoghurts. We then bundled up in our coats and gloves and headed for a brisk walk along the prom. It may have been windy (and a little wet), but we still enjoyed taking in the sights and meandering around, before later heading for a huge coffee and cake at a nearby café. Picking up some last-minute gifts to take home, we packed the last of our bags and made our way to the airport. An hour later and we'd touched down. Sob.

What a weekend, though! If you're thinking of jetting off somewhere as the New Year rolls around, why not consider Jersey?

Until next time...

* You can scratch me off your Christmas card list for the false advertising.

Word Up! Here's My First Monthly Content Review...

The last month or so has been manic. So manic, in fact, that I've reached out to a couple of talented freelance copywriters for an extra pair of hands on a project or two. It's meant that I can meet my clients' deadlines well ahead of time, which is always a bonus - for me and them.

So, what else have I been up to in the last month or so? I've been helping a company that sells kids' toys update its site, put together a series of landing pages for a web hosting firm, kept on top of Distinctive Chesterfields' social media pages, and made some final tweaks to some content for a bed manufacturer. And now to rest (pun intended)!

What's been going on in the wider world in October? Apart from a million and one pumpkin pics (I love seeing everyone's efforts on Facebook, Instagram and the like), and the clocks going back (hooray for darker nights - no, really, I absolutely love them!), there's been all sorts. And in my very first Content Review post, I'll be sharing with you some of the best articles, hints and tips from around the net. In this monthly posts, there'll be advice for copywriters, suggestions for small businesses, and a few bits and pieces in between. Read on...

Discover How to Stand Out Online

Want to know how to propel your brand? Katrina of KC Communications has written this blog, which tells you exactly how you can. The Managing Director of a fellow Huddersfield business, Katrina left a full-time marketing position a few years ago to found her brand - and over on her blog, she offers plenty of useful info for companies looking to get ahead. Check out the piece Katrina's penned about boosting your business online; it gives you all the details you need to ensure you're seen and heard amongst a sea of competitors.

"Can I Get an 'S'?, Can I Get an 'E', Can I Get an 'O'"

Reputation is everything when it comes to standing out online, but you can also give yourself a helping hand by way of a little thing called SEO.

Most of us are well aware what SEO stands for, but for those not in the know it's 'Search Engine Optimisation'. And what that means in simpler terms is 'using a little technical know-how to ensure your site is pops up when people search for the services you offer' (well, that was a mouthful!)

Don't know where to start? Aaron of The Evergreen Academy may well be able to help. He has a super duperly exciting online course to help any business owners looking to give themselves a leg up on Google. I've tried it out myself and it's smashing.

One of Aaron's best pieces of advice, though, is this: 'To rank well online, you have to deserve to rank.' So, create good, regular content and you're pretty much onto a winner. It's what I'm aiming to do as we speak, by writing this very post.

"Talk to Other Copywriters"

As a member of The Professional Copywriters' Network, I always keep an eye on its site to see what others are writing about. There's always plenty of good stuff to be found over there, with a regular 'Members' Spotlight' piece. One of the latest was definitely worth a read. In it, Cat Roberts-Young advises that anyone looking to join the industry should simply 'talk to other copywriters'.

I'd say the same rings true for freelancers in general. It can be a lonely life, working from home on your own - and this group has proved a life-saver on those mornings when I'm ready to chew someone's ear off (hello, Postman!) about anything and everything.

And yeah, if you're wanting to make the foray into freelance copywriting, say hello! I was fortunate enough to receive plenty of advice when I was starting out and I'd love to think I've helped someone a little, too.

Want to Make Your Content Smarter?

Okay, so your content won't be able to do maths. Well, I hope not anyway (damn, robots!). But you can make it smarter, according to Search Engine Watch. It's all about that little acronym again: SEO. But it really is important to optimise your site. Otherwise, it can seem like you're talking to yourself, especially if your site is relatively new.

And Finally...

Andrew Boulton is, hands down, one of my favourite copywriters. See, it's nice to give praise where it's due - even if it is your competition. But seriously, what that guy can do with words...

So I thought I'd share this with you: Andrew's piece on how copywriters write copy. Putting content together is like making an omelette, apparently. Pop over and have a read. And make sure you enjoy what's left of October.

Can I help you tick a few things off your copywriting to-do list as we move into November? Just let me know and we'll have a chat. Hey, I'll even treat you to coffee and cake if you're local.

Until next time...

Productivity 101: How I Stay Focused

Working from home with the option (I say, 'option' because it isn't a reality for me!) to slob around in your PJs; what's not to love? I'll start with the main drawback to my life as a freelance copywriter: staying focused.

While I've never missed a deadline and I pride myself on the fact I 'under-promise and over-deliver', motivating one's self (oooh, I sounded like the Queen for a second there!) can be tough. And the reason for that is this: without the threat of a boss man (or woman!) hovering over your desk at a second's notice, copywriters like myself can notice that the urge to put fingers to keyboard can wane a little, with the lure of Facebook, Twitter, or even YouTube, poking its cheeky little head into view.

So, in the absence of a boss (oh wait, that's me!) and a lack of colleagues tapping away at their computers to spur me on, how do I get stuff done?

Nothing is as important to me as meeting my clients' deadlines and exceeding their expectations, so here's what I do:

1. I Work in Threes

Now I don't mean I work with two other people; rather my to-do list never contains more than a trio of items. Plenty of people will attest that this works. And hey, it works for me too - so it shall long remain one of my top productivity tactics - until someone introduces me to another one.

2. I Set Alarms

If I have more than one project on the go, I divide each into timeframes - and set an alarm on my phone to ensure I only work for, say, three hours at a time on one job. That way, my mind is clearer (better for ensuring the ideas keep flowing) when I revisit a piece of work - and it helps me keep better track of hours spent per project, too.

3. I Keep a Routine

So, the hardest part of a freelancer's life is sticking to a routine. While you may begin the day with good intentions (with plans to get up at 7am, and take the long (joke) work commute from bedroom to your study by 9am) it doesn't always work that way. Sometimes, you'll find yourself downing tools at 3pm, taking an extended break, and then working until 11pm. It isn't always the best way to work; keeping to 9-5 hours is the best thing you can do for your motivation as a freelancer - and your social life!

4. I Get Out of the House

Being stuck indoors and communicating with NO ONE (sob!) is no good for your motivation levels - or your soul. So, I make sure I take at least one trip out during the day - even if it's just a walk around the block. It gives me that little burst of energy when I've been staring at my laptop all day, and it's even how I formulate many of my ideas for clients' websites.

And when I'm really pushed for time...

5. I Get TOTALLY Serious About Things...

...and deny myself a tea and biscuit break, a slice of cake; even a trip to the toilet. I'll tell myself: 'no, Lauren. You're not putting the kettle on, or going to the loo - not until you write another paragraph.' It may seem harsh - and possibly even a notch crazy - but hey, being your own boss can be tough; you've got to find the motivation from somewhere.

How do you stay focused when freelancing? It'd be good to pick up some more tips here at Lauren Holden Freelance. Why not comment on this blog with your own freelance copywriting tips and we can all learn from each other, eh?

Until next time...

Thank You For the Music, Dad...

Since today's Father's Day and I don't often praise my Dad (it goes to his head!), I thought I'd swallow my pride and dedicate this blog post to the man who's responsible for my biggest love in life: music.

This piece first appeared in the My Passion slot amongst the business pages of the Yorkshire Post.

Copywriting is nothing if not fast-paced, so how better to tackle deadlines head-on than by firing up Spotify and hitting ‘Play’ on your favourite music?

I won’t go as far as reckoning I was singing almost as soon as I learned to talk, or tapping my toe in the womb, but what I will say is this: music and me go back a long way.

In the late 70s and early 80s my Dad was a DJ and, when I was old enough, I’d be by his side as he selected the week’s chart hits at an independent record shop called Ear ‘Ere. And in the style of John Cusack and Jack Black’s characters in High Fidelity, the blokes behind the counter could tell you the name of pretty much any song going. Sometimes, all they’d need is a poorly recollected hum of a lyric or two – and lo and behold, they’d be able to place the track and pop it in a plastic carrier bag within seconds.

I have my Dad’s love of music to thank for much of my career to date; without intending to, he’d influenced my tastes – and a lot of what I listen to today is his doing. From the hits of the late, great Bowie, to Cat Stevens, Stevie Wonder, Average White Band and the less mainstream Babe Ruth (check out their track ‘Elusive’!); you name it, I knew the words to them.

Music was such a part of my life that at 21, I convinced the then-editor of a weekly newspaper I wrote for to give me a column talking about – and reviewing – some of my favourite bands. It quickly led to a stint freelancing for NME magazine and I was lucky enough to head backstage at some of the country’s biggest festivals, interviewing the likes of Stereophonics, Bloc Party and Ocean Colour Scene.

Before long, I was promoting and organising gigs myself. And guess who’d DJ at those mini concerts in my small (but musically very happening) hometown of Lancaster? My Dad was the obvious choice, his record collection a real talking point amongst the twenty and thirty-something gig-goers who, like me, loved the chance to chew someone’s ear off when it came to their favourite bands.

While today I’ve turned to copywriting over music journalism, the tracks of my younger years still get me through the day. I rarely go a morning without logging onto Spotify – and while I love that it instantly connects you to the music you love via its handy ‘Radio’ function, you really can’t beat the sound – or the nostalgia – linked to vinyl records. Now, that’s definitely something to sing (or toe tap) about!

Like this post? Bookmark my blog here at Lauren Holden Freelance for more of the same.