Content Etc.

Planning content that feels enjoyable to create and connects with your ideal audience? Yes, please! In this episode, I'm walking you through the process I use to plan out long-form and social content, including the questions you should be asking yourself for every single piece of content you publish. This is the process you can repeat each month, quarter, or for a set launch period. And don't forget to come tell me on Instagram if you use it to plan out some content! ✏️ Get a short and simple copywriting tip in your inbox every Thursday when you join Notes from the Margin. Plus, you'll get chatty story-led emails sharing lessons from behind the scenes of marketing a small business. Sign up here. Links to things mentioned in this episode: 7 places to find fresh content ideas for your small businessWant to get me on your marketing team?There are a few ways we can work together to round out 2023.Power Hours: for tailored marketing advice and supportThe Copy Edit: for a thorough audit of your DIY copy, with re-writes you can add to your website straight away. Take a look inside an edit to see what's included.Custom copywriting: for fresh website wordsMonthly content: for consistent, story-led blogs and emails

Understanding your dream client or customer is one of the best ways to make all the content you create stand out from the crowd. And if you’ve already created products or you’re offering services, then you probably have an idea of the sort of person who is attracted to your offers. But in this episode, I want to help you clarify some elements of this that will, hopefully, really help you write content that builds a connection between those dream people and your brand. ✏️ Get a short and simple copywriting tip in your inbox every Thursday when you join Notes from the Margin. Plus, you'll get chatty story-led emails sharing lessons from behind the scenes of marketing a small business. Sign up here. Links to things mentioned in this episode: The DIY website copy prep kit for small business ownersIs Marketing & Selling To Pain Points Manipulative & Unethical? | Josephine Brooks How to Use Psychographics in Your Marketing: A Beginner's GuideWant to get me on your marketing team?There are a few ways we can work together to round out 2023.Power Hours: for tailored marketing advice and supportThe Copy Edit: for a thorough audit of your DIY copy, with re-writes you can add to your website straight away. Take a look inside an edit to see what's included.Custom copywriting: for fresh website wordsMonthly content: for consistent, story-led blogs and emails

Can you have a profitable business if you quit social media? My guest today, Astrid Bracke, explains why it's possible and reflects on more than a year of marketing without any social media. We also discuss why she moved her email list to Substack and what she enjoys about creating community through her marketing. Make sure to follow Astrid's Substack and learn more at Astrid's Website✏️ Get a short and simple copywriting tip in your inbox every Thursday when you join Notes from the Margin. Plus, you'll get chatty story-led emails sharing lessons from behind the scenes of marketing a small business. Sign up here. In this episode, we're talking about:How Astrid transitioned from a career in academia to building her businessThe way marketing has changed as Astrid's business has pivotedReflecting on more than a year of marketing without social mediaWhy building a community is a key pillar of Astrid's marketing strategyMoving to Substack: why Astrid moved to this blog/email hybrid platform and what she enjoys about itAstrid's top tips for reducing your time and reliance of social media (if it's not making you happy)Links to things mentioned in this episode: Why I left social media to build community around my business - Astrid Bracke Lessons from 6 months on Substack - Astrid Bracke One year later: reflections on 16 months without social media - Astrid BrackeBetter Words Substack - This is the Substack I write with my co-host, perfect if you want regular book recommendations! Astrid's hobby Substack: House Plant JournalAstrid's Substack: Female OwnedSubstack for small business owners - Astrid Bracke | small business mentoringWant to get me on your marketing team?There are a few ways we can work together to round out 2023.Power Hours: for tailored marketing advice and supportThe Copy Edit: for a thorough audit of your DIY copy, with re-writes you can add to your website straight away. Take a look inside an edit to see what's included.Custom copywriting: for fresh website wordsMonthly content: for consistent, story-led blogs and emails

There's something about social media that helps us relax a little. But blog posts and emails? It just starts feeling like you need to be a bit more 'professional'. Well, I don't think marketing needs to feel like that, so I'm sharing some simple techniques and tips to help you share more personality in your content. The goal? To help you feel like your blog posts and emails reflect your unique brand voice, values and personality. Hopefully, that makes it feel easier to create *and* helps nurture connections with dream clients. ✏️ Get a short and simple copywriting tip in your inbox every Thursday when you join Notes from the Margin. Plus, you'll get chatty story-led emails sharing lessons from behind the scenes of marketing a small business. Sign up here. In this episode, I'm talking about:Why adding personality and storytelling to your blogs and emails is so importantHow to start adding personal storiesThe power of examples from your world, tailored for your audienceWhy we need to shrug off some of the writing 'rules'The importance of consuming good content criticallyLinks to things mentioned in this episode: Email story example: the messy deskEmail story example: Visiting the portrait galleryEmail story example: working out at homeWant to get me on your marketing team?There are a few ways we can work together to round out 2023.Power Hours: for tailored marketing advice and supportThe Copy Edit: for a thorough audit of your DIY copy, with re-writes you can add to your website straight away. Take a look inside an edit to see what's included.Custom copywriting: for fresh website wordsMonthly content: for consistent, story-led blogs and emails

In this episode, I'm sharing six small things that might help you if you're ever feeling a bit 'behind' in business or comparing your progress to other people. I wrote it as much for myself as you, but I really hope it helps. Before that, though, I'm sharing a pretty raw, kinda unplanned and probably rambly little chat about how I've felt since immersing myself in the online business world again.✏️ Get a short and simple copywriting tip in your inbox every Thursday when you join Notes from the Margin. Plus, you'll get chatty story-led emails sharing lessons from behind the scenes of marketing a small business. Sign up here. Links to things mentioned in this episode: How to work with your energy levels to avoid overwork and burnout with Jo HooperBetter Words podcastWant to get me on your marketing team?There are a few ways we can work together to round out 2023.Power Hours: for tailored marketing advice and supportThe Copy Edit: for a thorough audit of your DIY copy, with re-writes you can add to your website straight away. Take a look inside an edit to see what's included.Custom copywriting: for fresh website wordsMonthly content: for consistent, story-led blogs and emails

Hands up if you're sick of relying on social media for every sale. If your screen time is out of control and yet you feel like you're getting zero traction, then it's time to focus on building your evergreen marketing strategy. This week, I'm joined by Josephine Brooks to talk through how we can set up a marketing funnel to help us unchain ourselves from the social media marketing beast. This is part two of my chat with Josephine. In part one, she shared the messy reality of burning out from the launch cycle and rebuilding her business to encourage more freedom. Scroll back in your podcast feed or click here to listen.Make sure to follow @josephinepbrooks on Instagram.✏️ Get a short and simple copywriting tip in your inbox every Thursday when you join Notes from the Margin. Plus, you'll get chatty story-led emails sharing lessons from behind the scenes of marketing a small business. Sign up here. In this episode, we're talking about:The main components of an evergreen marketing strategy (discovery, nurture, inviting the sale)Where to start with your evergreen marketingThe difference between a marketing and a sales funnelA breakdown of how Josephine's marketing funnel guides people to work with herThree reasons to start evergreen marketing this yearReplacing launch cycles with evergreen approaches – does it mean you're selling all the time?Want to get me on your marketing team?There are a few ways we can work together to round out 2023.Power Hours: for tailored marketing advice and supportThe Copy Edit: for a thorough audit of your DIY copy, with re-writes you can add to your website straight away. Take a look inside an edit to see what's included.Custom copywriting: for fresh website wordsMonthly content: for consistent, story-led blogs and emailsLinks to things mentioned in this episode: How to write blog posts FAST & create a blogging habit You Can Stick To | Josephine Brooks Building An Ethical Sales Funnel | Josephine Brooks Marketing Without Social Media (Or Just Less Reliance On Instagram)! | Josephine Brooks Sign up for my Notes from the Margins with weekly copy tips & marketing storiesSign up for Josephine's emails

Launching every few months was the main source of revenue for Josephine Brooks. Until each launch started to feel harder, and bouncing back took longer and longer. Then Josephine hit complete business burnout. In part one of our chat, Josephine shares the messy reality of rebuilding her business and explains why she's said goodbye to the launch cycle in favour of evergreen marketing. In part two, we'll be diving into how to build your own evergreen marketing strategy.Make sure to follow @josephinepbrooks on Instagram Sick of wasting time trying to think of what to post on Instagram? Feel like everything you try to write has been done to death? I've got you! Get months of ideas in your inbox for free. Sign up here. In this episode, we're talking about:How Josephine's business evolved and the impact of burnoutJosephine's experience with the launch cycle and why it's so exhaustingComing back from burnout and building a business againWhat marketing looks like for Josephine and how she gets clients nowWhat to look out for in your business to avoid marketing burnout🤔 SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS 🤔Something on your mind? Use this form to ask a question I can answer on a future podcast episode. Got a sticky marketing issue? Need some content ideas for a launch or your brand building? Pick my brains for an hour in a 1:1 blend of feedback, mentoring and strategy. By the end of our session, you’ll have more clarity and a practical plan of action to keep you motivated. Book your spot here.

Figuring out a price for your services sometimes feels like picking a number at random and hoping it works out. In fact, it fills me with fear – and I'm willing to be I'm not the only one. That's why I invited freelance mentor Susie Jackson to join me and explain how we can make service pricing a little less scary.Make sure to follow Susie @the.organizedfreelancer on Instagram. Got a sticky marketing issue? Need some content ideas for a launch or your brand building? Pick my brains for an hour in a 1:1 blend of feedback, mentoring and strategy. By the end of our session, you’ll have more clarity and a practical plan of action to keep you motivated. Book your spot here. In this episode, we're talking about:Why it's so hard to set prices, especially for servicesHow to raise your pricesHow to communicate price rises with current clients The most common outcomes of a price change and how to approach each oneTop tips for raising your pricesSick of wasting time trying to think of what to post on Instagram? Feel like everything you try to write has been done to death? I've got you! Get months of ideas in your inbox for free. Sign up here. Links to things mentioned in this episode: How to Increase Your Prices - Susie Jackson | Pricing MentorRaising Your Prices - Susie Jackson | Freelance MentorFree resources — Susie JacksonWorking with our energy levels so we can run a sustainable business - Content Etc.🤔 SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS 🤔Something on your mind? Use this form to ask a question I can answer on a future podcast episode.

Christmas is the biggest sales opportunity for product-based businesses, but that often means it can also feel like a stressful whirlwind. We want to avoid that and still make it a profitable season for your small business. In this episode, artist and small business owner Lucy Carter joins me to reveal how her Christmas preparation has evolved, what's worked (and what hasn't), plus super useful tips for IRL market stalls. Make sure to follow Lucy @leaflanestudio on InstagramIn this episode, we're talking about:How Lucy's Christmas preparation has evolved since 2020, including an advent calendar in 2021 and hand-painted baubles in 2022.Getting featured in Stylist Magazine (and why it wasn't the boost product-based owners hope for)Lucy's top tips for making the most of small business/handmade marketsCreating a luxurious customer experience through packaging and extra touchesA review of Lucy's 2022 sales and what she's planning to continue in 2023Tips for product-based businesses as they plan for Christmas sales this yearOnce you've planned out your product launches, check out these prompts to help you promote it across social media and emails. Unwrap your free prompts. 🤔 SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS 🤔Something on your mind? Use this form to ask a question I can answer on a future podcast episode. Links to things mentioned in this episode: SMALL BUSINESS TIPS | MARKETS AND IN-PERSON EVENTS — Leaf Lane Studio - Lucy's reflections on the market season and what small business owners can do to make the most of themGot a sticky marketing issue? Need some content ideas for a launch or your brand building? Pick my brains for an hour in a 1:1 blend of feedback, mentoring and strategy. By the end of our session, you’ll have more clarity and a practical plan of action to keep you motivated. Book your spot here.

Welcome to a new season of Content Etc. In this episode, I'm explaining where I've been and the work I've been doing as a journalist outside Word By Word Storytelling. I'll also share the ways we can work together to improve your website content and copy for the rest of 2023. Links to things mentioned in this episode: A month of creative content prompts for small business marketingThe DIY website copy prep kit for small business ownersCreative SEO copywriting and content marketing servicesMy ABC News portfolioThe Great Australian Camel Race promised adventure — but some nearly didn't make it through alive - ABC NewsThe Great Australian Camel Race (part 2) - ABC Radio NationalThe Great Australian Camel Race (part 1) - ABC Radio NationalListen to Better Words - The bookish podcast I co-host with my friend Caitlin where we chat books and interview authors.Sick of wasting time trying to think of what to post on Instagram? Feel like everything you try to write has been done to death? I've got you! Get months of ideas in your inbox for free. Sign up here.

This year has been an exercise in patience and learning to work better with limited energy. Working with Jo Hooper from Get Wildly Free has been a huge part of this shift in my business. Jo is all about changing the world of work and helping people find freedom in their work – whatever that looks like for them. Today, we're starting with a discussion about accommodating our energy and understanding how our capacity can influence our business strategy. This is something Jo expands on in her Work Less, Earn More, Be Free, which I had the pleasure of taking part in earlier in the year. Make sure to follow Jo on Instagram @getwildlyfree ✨ REFRESH YOUR CONTENT ✨Are you feeling lost and uninspired when you try to post anything? Do you feel like everything you think of has been done SO many times before? I have just the thing to help you re-ignite the spark! The free 5-day Refresh Your Content email series will give you the prompts and process to help you find more ease and enjoyment in your marketing. Sign up here.In this episode, we're talking about:How our energy levels impact our work – and Jo's personal journey to understanding thisThe energetic load of different workHow can we apply these learnings to our marketing strategy as a wholeHow Jo approaches launch periods while managing her energy🤔 SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS 🤔Something on your mind? Use this form to ask a question I can answer on a future podcast episode. Links to things mentioned in this episode: Value Based Pricing and How It Helps Your Business | Mad & Sad Club6 Signs It's Time To FIRE Your Client | Mad & Sad ClubWork with Jo in a one-off Alight sessionGot a sticky marketing issue? Need some content ideas for a launch or your brand building? Pick my brains for an hour in a 1:1 blend of feedback, mentoring and strategy. By the end of our session, you’ll have more clarity and a practical plan of action to keep you motivated. Book your spot here.

🤔 SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS 🤔Something on your mind? Use this form to ask a question I can answer on a future podcast episode. In this episode, I'm talking about:What content marketing is (and isn't)Why I believe content marketing is the best investment you can make in your small businessWhy you can start at any time in your business journey (and how you can get started today with small steps)Links to things mentioned in this episode: Grammarly Mailerlite is a great option to start an email list for freeSick of wasting time trying to think of what to post on Instagram? Feel like everything you try to write has been done to death? I've got you! Get months of ideas in your inbox for free. Sign up here. Got a sticky marketing issue? Need some content ideas for a launch or your brand building? Pick my brains for an hour in a 1:1 blend of feedback, mentoring and strategy. By the end of our session, you’ll have more clarity and a practical plan of action to keep you motivated. Book your spot here.

Things have changed a little around here and Content Etc is getting a refresh in more than just cover art! In this episode, I'm chatting about:Why I changed my business name (and a little bit about Word By Word)My new multi-hyphen work life as a journalist and business ownerWhy I've removed previous episodes and what to expect moving forwardLinks & resources in this episode:Thank you to Sarah at These Are The Days for my brilliant re-brandHave a squiz at my new websiteGet my Notes from the Margins emails

Experiencing creatives slumps is a natural part of being a creative person. In this episode, I'll share tips for showing up and still feeling good about what you’re posting. Plus, I'll share the things that have helped me overcome creative slumps in the past. Sign up for the https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5fc51ae47996e27cb8324db2 (Content Etc Pep Talks) to keep getting regular content marketing tips while I'm taking a break from releasing new episodes.

Online educator and ultimate Instagram fangirl Vix Meldrew joins me to talk through Instagram's evolution from photo-sharing, filter-heavy app to multimedia platform. Vix explains how she changed her toxic relationship with the app and how we can do the same. She explains the concept of magnetic content and shares tips for using it to grow your brand on Instagram (without overthinking it). Follow Vix on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/growwithvix/ (@Growwithvix) and check out Grow and Glow https://www.instagram.com/growglow.co/ (@growglow.co). Follow me https://www.instagram.com/unfinishedbookshelf/ (@unfinishedbookshelf). Please tag us in your stories and let us know how this episode helps you! Get the https://theunfinishedbookshelf.com/podcast (show notes and extra resources here).

Improving your content and social media marketing doesn’t have to be a massive project. There are so many small things you can do to create better online content. In this episode, I'm giving you 7 really simple things you can do that will add up to make a huge difference to your marketing. Follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/unfinishedbookshelf/ (@unfinishedbookshelf). Find episode notes https://theunfinishedbookshelf.com/podcast (here).

Unpopular opinion time: content calendars aren’t really that important. And they absolutely won’t solve your deep marketing and content problems. In this episode, I explain why I believe content calendars can end up being useless and what you should do instead of searching for the perfect planning solution. https://theunfinishedbookshelf.com/blog/content-etc-content-calendars (Read the episode notes here) and follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/unfinishedbookshelf/ (@unfinishedbookshelf.)

This week I'm shaking the podcast up a little with a small business case study. Personal trainer Emma Cooke from Weights and Wine joins me to share how niching down with her online content has attracted dream clients and helped grow her business despite the pandemic shutting gyms for months. We talk about how scary it is to go niche, how Emma uses her clients for content ideas and the benefits she's seeing in her business long-term. In the second half of this episode, I give Emma some tips for her biggest content struggles around finding time to create and how to make the most of the content she posts. You can follow Emma on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/weights_wine/ (@weights_wine) and me https://www.instagram.com/unfinishedbookshelf/ (@unfinishedbookshelf). Please tag us in your stories and let us know what the most helpful parts of this episode were!

The to-do list for small business owners is neverending, but creating a blog or podcast is key to sustainable content marketing. In this post, I'll explain the benefits of both blogging and podcasting so you can choose where to focus your energy with a hero platform. Want more motivation and content mentoring advice? https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5fc51ae47996e27cb8324db2 (Sign up for my emails here).

What is content marketing and should you care about it when you’re juggling so much in your small business? In this episode, find out why content marketing is one of the best ways to build your brand for free plus some tips to make your own simple content strategy. https://view.flodesk.com/pages/5fc51ae47996e27cb8324db2 (Sign up for my Midweek Pep Talks here)!