Working with a Copywriter

June 19, 2013

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With the next round of workshops just round the corner Gala, Shauna and I decided that a revamp was in order. We’re literally never satisfied and are always thinking of things that can be tweaked, improved or built upon with brand Blogcademy.

The original overview we had on the site, while good, lacked some… oomph. We were struggling to put the real essence of the workshop into words and needed help. The three of all are all pretty good writers but it can be really difficult to look at something objectively, especially if you’ve put so much love and effort into it already. So we called upon copywriter Ash of The Middle Finger Project.

When we got the rework back we were blown away. It had so much power, pizazz and …yeah… oomph! It covers all those things we were trying to say ourselves but couldn’t, and totally encapsulates what The Blogcademy is all about.

I can’t recommend working with a copywriter, and Ash in particular, enough. If you’re struggling to put your ideas into words, you’re cringing over writing your about page, or you need some fresh eyes to look over your website copy, they are invaluable. I’m so proud of this rework. It’s got me all fired up and I can’t wait to do the next workshop in New York this weekend!

Of course I figured you might be interested so the result is pasted below. I’d love to hear from you guys on this one too. Have you ever worked with a copywriter? What results did you see?

INTRO

Calling all aspiring blog queens and small business owners. The heartfully headstrong, the radically rambunctious. The devilishly demure. The loud ones, the quiet ones, the sweet ones and the vixens. And every single up-and-coming BLOGGING BABE IN BETWEEN.

Whether you’ve been blogging for forever, or just getting started… THIS IS THE BLOGCADEMY.

Because blogging is no joke, and it’s time to take yours to the next level. It’s where three A-list bloggers, thirty A-list students, and the magic of in-person collaboration combine.

Enough fooling around.

It’s time to make a living with your blog.

And we’re coming to your city… TO SHOW YOU EXACTLY HOW.

THE LOWDOWN

Contrary to popular belief, blogs aren’t just online diaries for stylish mavens in six inch heels; they’re an essential tool for anyone who owns a business, wants a business, or wants to do business… Period.

Bloggers are the ultimate “it” girls: They sit front row at fashion week, they launch magazines to wild acclaim, and they are able to make a living in a way that leaves the 9-5 crowd for dead.

There’s just one little thing…

It takes strategy. Insight. Technique. And talent.

Because you might be the best at what you do, but if you aren’t the best at blogging about it… You don’t exist.

And that’s precisely why we’ve created The Blogcademy: to help every single hard-working wonder-woman get the recognition she wants — and the lifestyle she DESERVES. We’ve only got one go around at this thing called life. We might as well give it EVERYTHING WE’VE GOT — turquoise sequins and 80’s dance-offs very much included.

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ABOUT THE BLOGCADEMY

The Blogcademy is a wildly fun, fiercely smart, two-day workshop tailored to bloggers who want to elevate their online presence and business up a level — or fifteen. Taught by three of the world’s most high-profile bloggers, Gala Darling (Gala Darling), Kat Williams (Rock n Roll Bride) and Shauna Haider (Nubby Twiglet), we take your hand and give you a backstage pass to the blogosphere.

Everything you ever wanted to know about blogging strategy, branding, monetization, personality and (so much!) more is covered in this exclusive, never-before-done workshop — now taking place in various cities around the world. At The Blogcademy, there’s three of us and thirty of you (not to mention some of the sauciest goodie bags this side of Venus).

We provide personalized guidance, big heaps of encouragement and one massive dose of inspiration to all levels, from absolute beginners to total pros. It doesn’t matter whether you do it for the love, to support your business, or if it’s your full-time gig; all that matters is that you have a wild-crazy passion for this thing we call the blogosphere.

Your three headmistresses have very distinct personalities, and an entirely different approach to each of our online identities, which gives a savvy, holistic, insider’s view of exactly what it takes to thrive online — no matter who you are.

If you’d like to use your blog to attract new clients, we know the best way to do it. If you’re feeling frustrated by creating content, we can help you bulldoze through the obstacles that are standing in your way. If you want to get a newspaper column, a magazine feature or a book deal, we can show you the ropes. If you want to be inspired, make your blog design really pop, refine your branding and get bigger and better, we’re right there with you — no ifs, ands or buts.

If it exists as a benchmark within blogging, we have either done it or are doing it right now. Gala has been writing online since 1997, Shauna got started in 2001, and Kat began her blog in 2007. In our 31 collective years of experience in the world of blogging, we have truly dealt with the good, the bad and the ugly. We want to share our greatest lessons with you in the form of two uncontrollably fun, action-packed days of knowledge, wisdom, tricks, tips, deep insights and good-old fashioned bonding.

And it doesn’t end there. After the last B-shaped balloon is packed away (tear!), the community remains. Regular, real-life meet-ups, a thriving forum and access to constantly-updated resources are all at your glittery fingertips. The Blogcademy may zip by in two days, but the relationships you’ve formed can (and will) last a lifetime.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

Day One:
We’re busting out the need-to-know, can’t-be-skipped, you-don’t-want-to-miss-this blogging essentials. On day one we cover everything from layout basics to learning how to create and refine your digital persona. In the excitement of starting a blog, these important fundamentals often get glossed over, but they’re crucial to your success. We discuss finding inspiration and picking the right topics for your blog, creating brilliant content, extracting the maximum juice out of social media and conducting a digital brand audit. (More useful than it sounds — we promise.)

Day Two:
After a jolly good night’s rest, we crack on to day two where we go deep on the topic of monetisation, from advertising to creating your own products (and everything that falls in between!). We give you the skinny on building a brand from scratch, how to network without feeling like a sleaze, how to take great photos, essential business documents and creating a blogging action plan that won’t just sit in your drawer — but get you noticed, get you seen, and get you making MONEY.

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At The Blogcademy, our focus is not just on being online; we understand the importance of establishing legitimacy in the offline world, too. Woven throughout the two days, we’ll be driving home lessons on discovering your own voice and showcasing your personality, making brand connections and working on campaigns, as well as dealing with the not-so-nice bits of blogging.

We’ll tell you everything we know about dealing with big brands (and maintaining a sense of self and integrity!); getting a newspaper or magazine column; self-publishing and digital products; creating a magazine (as well as editing, designing and distributing it); blogging managers and agents, and how to get a book deal. We’ll teach you how to write your own blogging business plan, and encourage you to set goals to keep you motivated.

But it’s not all function and no form: we also share essential design tips and elements to enhance the look and feel of what you do. It’s one thing to have a cohesive look across all your online properties, but it’s another thing entirely to know if they accurately represent you or your business. Shauna has half a decade of real world experience at top ad agencies and design studios, which have given her a sophisticated and beautiful view of design, both online and off. She brings this expertise to class and one thing’s for sure: you — and your blog — will never be the same.

Finally, the headmistresses will personally be critiquing your actual blog and giving you customized recommendations on what you can do to be better, do better, and blog better.

This is an unbelievable opportunity to have your work appraised by some of the best in the business, and if you take our advice, you will see incredible growth. Pinky swear.

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

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– 16 hours of class time
– Custom 40+ page workbook (she’s pretty AND action-packed)
– Activities & exercises designed to help you get clear, and get GOING
– Top Secret Student Forum — because two days is never enough!
– Personalized Report cards — 1:1 attention is a guarantee
– Graduation Certificate — to remind you of your new skills, and give you insta-confidence anytime
– Curated Goodie bag — have we mentioned how much you’re going to LOVE yours?!
– Class Photo — because no workshop would be a workshop without an unforgettable collection of stellar snapshots

STILL NOT SURE IF THE BLOGCADEMY IS FOR YOU?

Check out our FAQ and 10 reasons to become a Blogcademy graduate!