Grateful to have found this U.S first pub. edition of my dear "Mrs. Caliban." I read this several years ago, and it lives on in my mind the way all collisions of fairytales, Americana, and sci fi can do. While the novella resists just one interpretation, I see this work in part as one of casual domestic horror (my favorite kind ;)). Ingalls deftly explores loss, alienation, and the thrills and consequences of erotic substitution all through the relationship of one lonely housewife and her amphibian lover. Fuck, I love fiction so damn much! Read this one. ❤
Recently Watched: Kieslowski's Dekalog Miniseries
Kieslowski’s incredibly moving miniseries follows a series of interconnected characters as they wrestle with trauma, morality, and limitations.
I recently finished Kieslowski's Dekalog, a great miniseries that follows a revolving set of fictional characters facing ethical dilemmas in '80s Warsaw. Each episode is inspired by one of the Ten Commandments and the nuanced ways people can and do break them. The writers handle this (IMO) in ways both fiercely political and kind. Also, in an era that puts so much artistic value in CGI, loaded backstory, and sloppy cynicism, I was relieved to find a work that embraces the magic that can occur when you've got two characters alone in a room talking. The series is somber in tone with the exception of the last episode where the Tenth Commandment is explored via black comedy, not unlike the Greek tradition of the satyr play. The writers subtly and not so subtly nod to the Greeks throughout the series, most beautifully by way of the Aristotelian idea that plot is a blend of unified actions and that when a story's ideas are dramatized rather than told, we find ourselves in the very center of a person's magnificent heart. What peace.
Web Copy Checklist (Homepage)
Let’s say your business is an award-winning book everyone wants to read. You can think of your homepage as the table of contents for your business’s website. This introductory-style page is an excellent way for your customers to get a taste of what you’re about.
Read moreHow to Write Landing Pages that Convert
Landing pages are great for converting web visitors into customers. Visitors who come to your website via a landing page are already interested in at least one aspect of your business. Landing pages are great for better understanding your audience.
Read more3 Reasons Why Your Business Needs a Blog in 2021
Every Business Needs a Blog
Yes, even in 2021 blogging is crucial to growing your business. Love them or hate them, blogs connect people to your business, establish you as a leader in your field or industry, boost SEO (more on that later), and create endless opportunities to share your fine content.
If you’re still unconvinced, check out these three reasons why your business needs a blog even in 2021. Whether or not you identify as a writer, all business owners have invaluable information to share. Blogging is a great way to build trust between you and your clients, and the following info can help get your blog into tip-top shape.
Boost Your Local SEO
2020 was no one’s favorite year, and small business owners faced the worst of the coronavirus’s economic impact. If you’re fortunate enough to still be in business in 2021, you understand the positive impact local communities have on small businesses. If there’s one thing COVID-19 taught us, rugged independence is not sustainable.
Consistent blogging can help you connect with your community and secure new, local clients. 1-2 blog posts a week can increase your local SEO. Local SEO helps businesses boost their internet visibility/rankings by focusing on geo-specific audience(s). While basic SEO practices still apply, local SEO can help you appear on the first search engine results page (SERP) and other organic search destinations :).
80% of users search for local information. A great way to implement local SEO into your blog is by sprinkling place-based keywords or phrases throughout your posts. Local keywords or phrases tend to focus on location and industry. This is because customers/clients want to find the best service, value, price, etc. near their doorstep.
For example, say you run an organic bakery in Los Angeles. When blogging about your business, you’ll want to focus on local keyword(s) or phrases such as “best organic bakery in Los Angeles” or “best bakery with gluten free flour in Los Angeles.” Though you’re not limited to this type of wording, keep in mind that you want to write the way your customers think or speak (if conducting a search through Google Voice).
Establish Yourself As a (Tangential) Expert
Think of your blog as a library of related knowledge to your industry. Blogs are the perfect place to share your thoughts and expertise about trends, services, updates, and more related to your line of business.
The phrase “related information” is a blog’s best friend. Don’t feel limited to a select handful of topics. The more wisdom, advice, and FYIs you share on your website, the more likely you are to increase your internet visibility. Let’s say you’re a college instructor who runs an online tutoring company. In addition to writing about your services and offerings, your tutoring blog is an excellent place to write your thoughts on pedagogy, college statistics, online learning pros and cons, etc. Don’t be shy about posting links to your published articles. Potential and returning clients will take comfort in the fact that your expertise has been recognized by other established leaders in your industry.
Stay One Step Ahead of Your Clients
Blogging allows you to stay one step ahead of your clients by staying on top of changing trends. Your next blog post could potentially outdo the next major ad campaign. This is because bloggers are a highly connected group. If your blog becomes popular enough, you’ll have insights into followers questions, concerns, etc. based on what they communicate to you in the comments or private messaging.
Companies may reach out to you with offerings, services, and information yet to be released to the public. Most companies do this in exchange for reviews. Even if your blog doesn’t have a huge following, as long as you provide a consistent and unique take on popular notions in your industry, you will grow and nurture your following.
Your Website is Your First Impression
Love and/or hate writing and have ZERO time to blog? My website package includes:
My website package includes:
·Landing Pages- I craft lead generating landing pages for any objective. Whether you’re looking to build your email subscriber’s list or sell a product, I’ll help you turn visitors into customers.
·General Web Copy- Website copy shows potential customers what you’re about. It’s your business’s narrative in action! I provide web copy for your home page, about page, products/services page, and more.
·Mission Statement & Values- Mission statements guide your company and potential customers in the right direction. By looking toward the future, you establish trust and credibility among teammates and customers. I’ll help you communicate your business’s purpose and goals, so you and your team remain consistent and innovative!
·Blog- Blogging increases traffic to your site. The more you blog, the more likely you are to appear in the search engines. A consistent blog establishes you as an expert in your field which helps build trust with your audience and the search engines! I provide 5 short-form blog posts a week backed by reliable sources in your field and well-crafted CTAs
· A/B Testing-I provide data-driven A/B testing. I’ll take a look at how your website is performing, which pages drive the most traffic etc., then create/test variations so you can improve your business goals
More from The Literary Copywriter
Best Practices for Writing Email Sequences
How to Write A Welcome Email Sequence in 3 Easy Steps
A Message for Literary Copywriters
How to Write Your First Monthly Newsletter
Extra! Extra! Read all about it
Newsletters are a great way to build relationships with your clients. Much like writing email sequences, newsletter writing can eventually increase web traffic and social media followers, boost sales, improve your company’s reputation, and make your clients feel valued. Newsletters are creative and intimate pieces of information that help your clients feel personally connected to your company’s journey and growth.
Why Publish a Monthly Newsletter
Newsletters give your followers and customers quick access to vital information related to your company’s offerings, services, updates, and more. Like all great businesses, you have a clear and adaptable inbound marketing strategy. As with all strategies, your inbound marketing will require a lot of content. You want to make sure that content gets read and found in a timely manner.
Social media posts and stories, blog posts, videos, giveaways, discounts, free downloads, and more can all happen within a week. While you may run into little issues posting and promoting daily content, all your hard work could easily get lost in the crowd. Newsletters are like your own personal matrix, one that’s professional and client-friendly of course. In addition to providing new information, newsletters help consolidate your monthly content so clients and followers can read or re-read your content in one sitting.
Newsletters also make your business feel more accessible and relaxed. While you may include some sales promotions in your newsletters, many customers would prefer to not receive a sales pitch every time they open their email. Newsletters help customers understand who you are beyond what you’re selling.
What to Put in Your First Monthly Newsletter
Once you’ve established a beautiful website, email marketing strategy, and social media profile(s), you’ll want to start drafting your first monthly newsletter. As far as formatting goes, newsletters are fun and easy to put together.
I recommend starting a monthly newsletter as soon as your company surpasses certain goals. With newsletters, customers want to feel as if they’ve stumbled upon an active and successful business. Basically, newsletters help lure customers into your epic party.
The Anatomy of an Amazing Newsletter
Monthly newsletters come in all shapes and sizes, but most contain the following key elements. Be sure to review this list before publishing your monthly newsletter, as the following info can help your newsletter shine!
Compelling Subject Line
Remember your monthly newsletter will arrive in your followers’/potential customers’ inboxes. As with all emails, you’ll want to create an irresistibly clickable subject line. Most subject lines are 6-10 words in length and don’t contain characters, spam words, or messages in all caps. Be sure to exclude the word “newsletter” in your subject line as well.
I recommend writing subject lines that tease and entice the customer. Don’t be afraid to get close and personal or be short and sweet. Perhaps you want to pose a bold question about a desire the customer thought they alone had. Email subject headlines range from urgent to clever, so feel free to get creative.
And if something doesn’t work, you can always test, test, test, until you get it right.
Featured Content
As mentioned, newsletters are a great way to consolidate new and previous content into one place. Be sure to include a balance of new and old information. You want to make sure the newsletter offers information the customer can’t receive anywhere else.
This is where sharing your company’s story comes in handy. Customers are interested in reading about who you are, how you got started, and where you’re headed. Consider posting a behind-the-scenes tour of your offices or info on employee of the month. New testimonials, reviews, and other forms of positive client feedback are helpful as well.
As for old information, I recommend sharing content that performed well last month whether it was a blog post, instructional video, or adorable photo of your cat napping atop your content strategy notes. Try to narrow down former content to just 1-2 outstanding posts or videos.
CTAs
As you know from email marketing, any piece of email content must contain clear and compelling CTAs. In newsletters, CTAs help guide readers to the pieces of content you want them to read next. I recommend making these CTAs bold, colorful, sparkly, etc. While you don’t want the CTAs to distract people from your content, you want to make sure they are clear and easily accessible.
Organized Layout
Once you have your newsletter copy and distributable content, you’ll want to choose the perfect layout. Don’t let newsletter formatting intimidate you, especially if you see yourself as more of a writer than a designer. Email automation platforms such as Mailchimp and Constant Contact have lovely, creative newsletter templates to pick from and each one are easy to copy & paste content into particular boxes.
I recommend choosing one template and using it consistently. Customers want to view newsletters that are familiar to them and visually pleasing. Be sure to choose a template that will easily allow you to upload the right amount of videos and photos in addition to blog posts, updates, etc.
Social Links
Be sure to include social links to your website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. so new and old readers can keep in touch. You never which piece of content in your newsletter will inspire your followers to spread the word about you.
More from The Literary Copywriter
Best Practices for Writing Email Sequences
How to Write A Welcome Email Sequence in 3 Easy Steps
A Message for Literary Copywriters
How to Write a Welcome Email Sequence in 3 Easy Steps
The best way to begin writing your first email sequence is to start with a welcome series that a.) expresses gratitude to your new subscribers/potential customers and b.) eventually guides them to a sale or opportunity unique to your business.
Read moreBest Practices for Writing Email Sequences
Chances are, if you’re a serious business owner, then your company website has all the tricks. Lead magnets, landing pages, email opt-in forms, and other indispensable digital marketing tactics are just a handful of ways you can improve your marketing ROI.
All of these tactics can lead to new subscribers and more, but these leads are nothing if you don’t take the time to build a trustworthy relationship with your audience. That relationship begins with your email sequence or a series of emails sent at predetermined intervals that contain relevant messages for your audience.
Why write email sequences?
Pre-scheduled emails help you meet your audience where they are in their unique customer journey. Sequences are a great way for you to communicate your knowledge, expertise, products, offerings, and more to your audience.
But first you have to meet your customers’ needs through authentic communication and delivery. While customers usually want results right away, they won’t buy or download anything from you if you don’t articulate the solution to their needs.
There are several different types of email sequences, and you’ll want to discern which is right for your business based on where your team is at in the current marketing funnel. Email sequences take time and empathy to write.
The good news is, no matter which email sequence you choose, the following practices will help you write fun, informative, and most importantly results-driven email sequences that will resonate with your audience and increase your sales.
Top 3 Practices for Writing Email Sequences
1. Know your audience (and their core wound)
As mentioned, you can’t build trust with your audience if you can’t identify their unique pain. While an email subscription may not sound like a recipe for transformation, the right email read at the right time can change a potential customer’s life for the better (and yours). Emails are a wonderful way to let your audience know you see and understand their lack.
Email marketing is highly effective because it’s unafraid to get personal without overstepping bounds. Each email in an email sequence should always address your subscriber by their first name, and grab their attention in the subject line and body paragraphs.
For example, let’s say you run a successful freelance company, and you’re looking for potential freelances to join your new mentorship program. A great hook could be “Psst…I thought it was just me,” in the subject line, and the opening could read, “Dear {First Name}, when I first started freelancing, I had no idea how to do my taxes. I couldn’t even tell you the difference between my social security # and my EIN!”
And this leads us to our next tactic….
2. Be prepared to tell your personal story
Again, the more personal and upfront you are about your company’s story, the more likely you are to build lifelong relationships with your customers. For each email sequence, I recommend you have a handful of personal facts, anecdotes, challenges, successes, etc. ready to go. While you may not use all of them and it’s very important not to overshare, the more you can sound like an accessible human being through your email, the better.
3. Plan your automations far in advance
At their best, email automations keep your business running smoothly by never missing an opportunity to generate leads and sales. However, any snafu in scheduling, technology, etc. can be detrimental to all the hard work you put in writing your sequences. Be sure to choose the best automation tool for your company and team, so you don’t have to worry about running into technical difficulties down the road. And always, always run a test email before launching your next sequence.
Your website is your first impression. Great website content is one of the most effective ways to grow your business. The best copy appears effortless thanks to underlying strategies. Whether you’re revamping your website or starting from scratch, I’ll help you market and sell your business.
Click here to learn more about my copywriting package for entrepreneurs and businesses.
xoxo,
Emily
A Message for Literary Copywriters
For copywriters with creative ambitions, it’s easy to get discouraged. The demands of clients, family, mental and physical health, etc. are distracting and emotionally draining. Finding the time to read a book or work on your personal projects can feel like a fool’s errand.
But literary copywriters always find a way to return to that novel or poetry collection in progress. They return not because they are noble or brave or defiant (though they are generally these things too).
The literary copywriter returns to their creative writing (their true gift) because they have to.
The literary copywriter creates because they know no other way to live.
What is a literary copywriter?
A literary copywriter is a seasoned copywriter who also:
-Has literary dreams and ambitions (i.e. hard at work on a novel, memoir, screen play, poetry or short story collection, etc.)
-Is an engaged and critical thinker
-Has had to hide the real writer within in order to secure clients, jobs, etc.
-Believes in the collective search for truth and beauty
If you’re a literary copywriter, struggling to put your creative work first, then I implore you to find the courage to return.
I say courage because it’s not time you’re lacking. Time is subjective and easy to steal. Courage is difficult to summon when you’re not in alignment with your true gift.
A literary copywriter must put their creative work first. Yes, pleasing clients and paying bills are a necessity and the failure to do so is debilitating. But the consequences of not creating, really creating, are as equally debilitating if not more so.
When you put your creative work first, you are happier, more energized, innovative, and overwhelmed with gratitude.
You become the writer Creation not commerce wants you to be.
Literary copywriters are my favorite people to work with because I know how much we’ve had to sacrifice in order to keep our creative spark alive in this demanding and heart-breaking world.
If you’re a copywriter hard at work on a creative piece, you know how much time and effort goes into just one page of quality writing. You also know that the best way to grow as a writer, is to place your work-in-progress into the hands of a supportive and knowledgeable reader.
When I read a creative work in-progress, I get to the heart of a story’s message and help the writer tell it even better. I focus on a story’s strengths rather than its “weaknesses” and find solutions to help the work shine brighter.
I’ll help you nurture your vision into its best self by offering a blend of editing and coaching, so your words will find the home they deserve!
My editing package includes:
· Line edits and general comments
· In-depth workshop letter with analysis, praise, and suggestions
· 1 hour conference call to discuss the piece in more detail
· A revision plan and list of places to submit. For more info on publishing, check out my guide to publishing in literary magazines!
Xoxo,
Emily
The Small Business Owner’s Guide to Writing Engaging Web Copy
There’s no way around it. Your website is your first impression.
And a bad first impression means no new web visitors and certainly no new leads.
As a small business owner, your website needs effective, results-driven copywriting. Great copy helps businesses achieve their goals by appealing to your target audience every step of the way.
While writing engaging web copy is doable, it can certainly be time-consuming. That’s why I put together this quick guide to writing copy your audience will love and trust.
Strong Headlines
Headlines are a reader’s first invitation. The stronger the headline, the more likely you are to spark the reader’s interest.
Like it or not, if your headline does not grab a reader’s interest, then they won’t be reading the rest of your article. They may not bother to linger on your website for a second longer.
Poor headlines = no new leads.
Writing magnetic headlines takes time. According to copyblogger.com, you should spend half of the time it takes to write a piece of engaging content on the headline.
When writing headlines, I follow these simple and powerful steps:
1. Before writing, select your audience
2. Grab their attention & deliver a message in 10 words or less
3. Draw your audience into the rest of the body copy
While writing effective headlines takes a lot of time and patience, the results are well worth the wait. Elicit the right emotion in your audience, and they’ll take action (i.e. more clicks and time spent on your website).
Concise and credible information
Once you have your headline, let your body copy do the rest of the work. However, even if you’re writing long form content (1,000 words +), you want to make sure you’re writing in short, concise prose.
In William Zinsser’s classic writing guide, On Writing Well, he says, “Examine every word you put on paper. You’ll find a surprising number that doesn’t serve any purpose.”
In other words, cut the fluff. As much as I adore writers such as Virginia Woolf and Zora Neale Hurston, I wouldn’t want them writing for the average customer. Save the poetic musings and gorgeous interiority for your novel or creative writing practices.
A Clear CTA
Engaging web copy doesn’t present helpful or interesting information for information’s sake. The right web copy leads to action.
If you’re looking for more email subscribers, conversions, contest entries, and more, then you want to ensure that your website copy contains clear calls-to-action or CTAs.
From “Buy now” to “Love writing and want to learn more? Subscribe now so you never miss a post!”, a compelling call-to-action helps your business thrive year round.
Cheers,
Emily
L.C. Spotlight: Kelsey Lundstrom
L.C. Spotlight: Kelsey Lundstrom
Welcome back to The Literary Copywriter spotlight where I feature professional writers with literary pursuits. Today I spoke with Kelsey Lundstrom, an emerging copywriter and memoirist based in New York.
Let’s hear from Kelsey!
Literary Copywriter: Tell me about your writing journey. When did you first realize that a.) you are a writer, and b.) you want to make a living off of your writing?
Kelsey Lundstrom: I've been a writer and storyteller my entire life, but I haven't always called myself one* (more on this below). It started when I was a kid and I would send letters and cards to anyone around me (aka my neighbor and grandma). I would ask my childhood mailman to walk my letters across the street to my neighborhood best friend or fill every inch of space with words in a card to my grandma. I had no idea back then, that there was actually a career out there for people like myself. People who wanted to tell stories and capture people's attention, beyond just my neighborhood bubble.
*I don't know what it is, but I have struggled to call myself a writer until this last year. Even though I've been doing it my whole life, I would always just dismiss it with, "oh yeah, I can write" but never actually called myself a writer. Well, guess what world? I'm a writer, nice to meet you!
L.C. Please describe your writing career. How did you get started? Who are your ideal clients.? Do you freelance or work for an agency?, etc.
K.L. After I grew up a little, learned how to spell, read, and actually write, I then studied English (writing/publication studies) as an undergrad. When I graduated (back in 2012) I wasn't exactly sure what to do with that degree, though. The first * real * job I had was writing marketing emails for webinars while wondering what the heck I was going to do with this degree.
I then took a leap, moved to NYC, and worked in the B2B media world for a few years. It wasn't always on the editorial side, but I was always around writers and immersed in media. Even if I didn't consider myself a writer. It wasn't until last year when I woke up and realized that I had let my writing passion burn. And not in a good way. I was angry with myself that I had gotten so far away from the one thing that mattered the most to me, and I was determined to get that back.
I spent a few months thinking more about the kind of writing I wanted to do and poked around in advertising. I then realized there is a role for us creative writers in this world, and it goes by the name of copywriter. I then also realized that there's something known as portfolio school, which I had never heard about. I had just turned 30 and going to a 1 or 2-year portfolio school wasn't really in the cards for me. So I worked my tail off the past 9+ months to build a spec portfolio without portfolio school. (Side note: yes, you still need a spec portfolio if you want to work in advertising, even if you've been working for 8 years.) Thank you, Linkedin, Fishbowl, Reddit, and an online class at the Denver Ad School for getting me to where I am today.
I recently "finished" my portfolio (I say "finished" because is it ever really done?!) and just got a copywriter internship at an ad agency in ATL. I had to swallow my pride and realize that it was okay to take a step backward (at least title-wise) to take a few steps in the direction you really want to go in. I'm not sure what tomorrow or next week brings, but I know that I've finally found the writing career that I can't stop thinking about. It's that can't eat, can't sleep, wake up in the middle of the night with ideas kinda feeling.
To anyone considering a career pivot, do it. You don't want to look back in 10 years and say, "I wish I had done that."
L.C. I see you're writing a memoir about a car accident you were in a few years ago. If comfortable, I'd love to learn more about this project and what you hope to gain from the experience (book deal, more publications, career change, personal growth, etc.).
K.L. Yes! Besides focusing on my new copywriting career, I'm also writing a book. I was in a life-threatening car accident a few years ago that has forever changed my outlook on life. I truly believe that from this tragedy emerged my story to tell. A story that I not only want to tell, but I know other people need to hear. It focuses a lot on learning to see the silver linings, and when all you can do is cry, why not at least laugh first until you cry?
Of course, I would love a book deal at the end of all this, but I am doing this for myself. Writing and sharing (even the little that I have) has been such a healing and wonderful process. If you want to check out a little about my story, you can read the article here.
L.C. Feel free to share how you balance work, life, and writing. It’s okay if you’re struggling with this. It’s all part of the process!
K.L. I would say that I am 100% still figuring this out. Some weeks I'm able to focus a lot on writing my book along with everything else, and others I'm not. This is okay. I'm trying not to put too much pressure on myself and realize that I'm doing this in a timeline that makes sense for my process. After all, it is my process. I also find it difficult after working as a copywriter all day, to even find the energy to form sentences/words sometimes, so that's always fun. Thankfully, I'd have an editor if I got a book deal. (Sorry to my future editor.)
L.C. Say someone much younger than you says, “I want to be a writer, but I’m afraid I won’t succeed.” What would you tell them?
K.L. If it's something that comes naturally to you and you're passionate about, pursue it anyway. Don't let fear hold you back. One of my favorite quotes is that "nothing ever grows in your comfort zone." It's okay to be afraid. It's okay to be uncomfortable. You're growing.
Also, everyone has their own definition of "success" and you can define what that word means for your own career. As a writer, it's easy to compare yourself to other writers and what their version of success may look like. Try not to fall into this trap and always remember why you started, because success will always look different for every single person. I'm a 30-year-old intern, and to some people that might not look like "success." But for me and my story, it does.
Connect with Kelsey
Bio.
Kelsey Lundstrom is an emerging copywriter who is getting her first taste of agency life as a copywriter intern at Fitzco. She is based in New York and has spent most of her career in the B2B media world, before discovering... she should have been a copywriter.
Website: https://www.kelseylundstrom.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelseylundstrom/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kelseylundst
More from The Literary Copywriter
L.C. Spotlight: Cures of Colors
3 Reasons Why Women Business Owners Charge Less & What to Do About It
L.C. Spotlight: Cures of Colors
L.C. Spotlight: Cures of Colors
And A Conversation with Founder Brittany Chung
Welcome back to the Literary Copywriter Spotlight where I feature writers and nonprofit organizations who use writing and storytelling to ignite positive change in the world. This week I’m featuring Cures of Colors, a nonprofit devoted to the creation of children’s narrative coloring books that tackle social justice, COVID-19, family dynamics, and more. These coloring books help children process our challenging world from a place of empathy, compassion, and creativity.
This week I spoke with Brittany Chung, an entrepreneur and founder of Cures of Colors, where she shared her thoughts on activism, therapeutic coloring, and what it means to be the adults we needed as children.
Let’s hear from Brittany!
Literary Copywriter: Tell me more about the history of Cures of Colors. What inspired you to utilize narrative coloring books as a way to help children and families navigate the social and emotional issues in the society we live in?
Brittany Chung: Inspired by volunteer work at the children’s hospital pediatric oncology unit, I originally pursued the medical route during my college years. Spending time with these children, I got to witness first-hand just how resilient they were and how much they understood their life-changing diagnosis. Although my current journey took a turn from my original medical route, the inspiration from these patients still motivates me today. I witnessed the strongest children battle through the toughest of times, and because of that, I know they can handle difficult conversations if we take the time to address their curiosity.
I grew up appreciating my creative outlets and the causes I was passionate about. My volunteer work was my deciding factor to pursue my bachelor's and master’s degrees in biological sciences. Soon after, I pursued another business before this, but as the pandemic hit, I shifted to start this nonprofit → Pandemic pivoting! As I land in a nonprofit space to support our youth, I don’t think there’s anything I’ve been more passionate about!
When the pandemic set in, I witnessed one of my closest childhood friends bear the pressures of balancing work life, family life, and personal life all under the same roof, with a 3-year-old and another one on the way. This new reality demonstrated just how hard it is for parents and educators at this time. On that same thought, I realized how much harder it is for a child during this time -- being pulled from school, not able to see friends, hug their grandparents, or celebrate milestones. I can’t imagine how much this will affect them as these childhood experiences are hindered.
Children lean on adults for reassurance, but this pandemic was new to all of us, and as adults, I felt that we were seeking reassurance ourselves. No one prepared us for a global pandemic, which introduced a whole new meaning of living in uncertainty.
Last year, the Black Lives Matter movement shed an even bigger spotlight on the ongoing oppression, inequity, and inequality. This was another topic circulating in households and schools as the media portrayed just how polarizing this country is. I think all of us took a moment to unlearn, learn and relearn to strengthen our beliefs and be part of the change we want to see in our systems. While thinking about how to approach a conversation with a child about these topics, I realized there are so many complex topics that as adults, we find difficult to initiate and understand, ourselves.
Growing up in Asian culture, raised by my grandparents of an older generation, we did not talk about any of these topics I was so curious about throughout my youth. I grew up refraining from asking questions and didn’t feel confident sharing my opinions. Moving out to college made me realize just how sheltered I was from all the different issues happening in our world. I like to refer to this as layers of ‘bubbles’ being popped as I grew to become exposed to more and more diversity, walks of life, and different forms of first, second, and third world problems.
I was eager to create something that would be a tool to help children have a better understanding of our reality. I knew parents out there who wanted to have these conversations but didn’t know how to start them. I landed on coloring books with narratives to serve as a familiar tool to not only inform children but also assist parents and educators in promoting dialogue.
Coloring has so many benefits and serves as a therapeutic tool for all ages. It’s not an intimidating activity, and tying the narrative aspect to it allows children to explore important topics creatively. Additionally, they’d be able to see representation in our characters, feel a sense of relatability, navigate through emotions in new situations, and develop empathy for others.
I had a great conversation recently about our mission and what we hope to achieve for our communities. A team member shared his dad’s wise words before his passing, “be the adult you needed as a kid.” And that resonated with me. As adults, we have the opportunity to shape our future generations, to pave the way and create a better future -- to expose them to reality if we put in the work to learn, grow and teach our children differently than before.
L.C.: Your narrative coloring books tackle big topics like family dynamics and COVID-19. How do these coloring books come to fruition and what can we expect to see in the near future?
B.C.: The COVID-19 conversational coloring book, inspired by the challenges that arose from the current pandemic, was a relevant, fitting topic to jumpstart our coloring book series. We decided to launch with this activity book as a free downloadable PDF to kick-off conversation and build confidence before diving into our heavier, more difficult, sensitive topics. You can find our free PDF on our website: Download our free COVID-19 conversational coloring book. Due to the struggles of navigating through this uncertain time, we wanted to provide this book to all families who not only love to color but also are ready to start small and dissect a complex topic into an interactive, fun conversation together.
I had a great conversation recently about our mission and what we hope to achieve for our communities. A team member shared his dad’s wise words before his passing, “be the adult you needed as a kid.”
Family dynamics was inspired by the Cures of Colors team. Throughout my first encounter of interviews, so many resonated with our mission because of their upbringing, childhood memories, and all of what makes up our ‘differences’. What was common among our team was the unconventional family dynamic they grew up with or witnessed -- single parent, blended families, large and small families, same-sex parents, etc. We wanted to launch our first printed book as a statement piece in representing a foundational topic that every child can connect with, whether they saw themselves represented, someone they knew or were being introduced to a new family dynamic for the first time.
Every coloring book begins with an important topic, countless hours of research, and a kick-off meeting to discuss the direction and narrative we aim to convey. Behind the scenes, we've made new partnerships with other nonprofits and we've already begun collaborating on some very exciting new coloring books to come. This year, we'll be addressing some of the most important and difficult topics on our minds -- some notable mentions are BLM, LGBTQ+, mental health, cancer, and many many more. Stay tuned!
L.C: As entrepreneurs and artists, what are some of the most rewarding aspects of working for Cures of Colors?
As a start-up, it’s always exciting to envision all the great ideas we aim to implement and the impact they can have on our community. But, the greatest joy comes from the process of collectively working together with other like-minded individuals to turn those ideas into a tangible product and tool that the greater community can benefit from.
The risk of launching something new amid the pandemic was intimidating, but people are seeking a sense of community and support now more than ever. In a challenging and unpredictable year, it’s been so rewarding to hear about children and families excited for their books, that conversations have begun and that all of this has come to fruition with the help of an AMAZING team that I have yet to actually meet in person. I am so proud to share this organization with my team, who have all come together to make something so powerful and meaningful during an exceedingly difficult year.
Teamwork indeed makes the dream work.
Every coloring book begins with an important topic, countless hours of research, and a kick-off meeting to discuss the direction and narrative we aim to convey. Behind the scenes, we've made new partnerships with other nonprofits and we've already begun collaborating on some very exciting new coloring books to come.
L.C. How has the mission of Cures of Colors impacted your community & beyond? What's the response been like to these compassionate coloring books?
B.C. Within two months of launching, we were able to donate proceeds from sales of our coloring books to pediatric patients at a local hospital, start some special collaborations, and form partnerships, with future potential ones in progress. Parents have started conversations with a couple of notable testimonials since launching:
My boys (4 & 7) LOVE this coloring book. They have been coloring in their books every night and the activity pages have been a huge hit! It was such a great experience reading the story to them. They had great questions that I didn’t even know were on their minds. I’m so thankful for having this tool to support me in teaching my kids kindness and opening up important conversations in a way that they can have fun with and understand.” -Colleen, mother of 4
“Love this coloring book and organization! Such a fun and meaningful way to connect with our little ones about the current environmental and social issues. Thank you for creating this!” -Angela, mother of 2
There has been such an overwhelmingly positive response to our organization and the number of individuals who have reached out to us to volunteer their time and be part of our teams in some way or form. The constant interest and enthusiasm from all across the world is truly so humbling and means so much to us.
We only ship domestically at the moment but have had international interest from individuals with nonprofits abroad, mothers who love our concept, and many awaiting international shipping options. Our goal within the next few years is to expand and accommodate international orders!
Here is another article that can also provide insight to how our organization affects our President, Vivek and the conversations he’s starting with this family: Linkedin Article.
L.C. Please share any other short or long-term goals you have for Cures of Colors and helping children gain empathy in a problematic world.
B.C. We have so many goals that it’s a challenge to not feel overwhelmed daily.
In the short term, we hope to build our brand and reputation across the country, grow our teams, create new partnerships, roll out 6-10 books, integrate our books in schools, and continue to donate proceeds to help the communities our books address. We’d like to stratify our age range for books, so instead of catering to our current broader 4-8 age, to narrow the age range to 4-6 and 6-8, etc.
Long term, we would love to expand and scale globally in not only our customer base (B2C) but also our outreach and partnerships (B2B). As we establish ourselves as an organization, I’d like to cater our books to a wider age range (i.e. teens, adults, etc.) -- there is no age limit on coloring, nor on talking about complex issues. We have big visions to create limited edition coloring books, customized coloring books, and even mini-series of topics that deserve their own volumes of attention. Perhaps even venturing into other mediums, as there are so many different avenues to explore! A lot of great ideas are in the works, and we are excited to see what the future holds!
Brittany Chung
Founder of Cures of Colors. Brittany is passionate about raising the next generation to be empathetic and service-oriented. As Founder, Brittany is in charge of overseeing Cures of Colors’ operations from start to finish including coordinating the creative teams, website design, marketing organization and community outreach. Brittany pours her heart and soul into Cures of Colors in hopes of affecting lasting change in families across the country.
Your Friend in Craft,
Emily
Top 3 Writing Practices for Literary Copywriters
For copywriters with literary dreams, striking the right balance between work and play can feel insurmountable. How many of you have put your personal projects on hold so you can advance someone else’s idea?
Your portfolio may be full of statistics, landing pages, and award-winning copy. But that’s not all literary copywriters are capable of. If it were, you wouldn’t pay for fiction writing workshops or wake up in the middle of the night to jot down that emotionally-gripping scene.
Ecommerce deludes us into thinking that work and play are mutually exclusive. I cringe at how many hours I’ve spent tending to writing-related work that doesn’t satisfy my heart & soul.
For literary copywriters, creative fulfillment’s not about balance but what you’re willing to prioritize. If you don’t prioritize your novel, screenplay, or poetry collection, then it will never get written down.
That’s the worst kind of self-betrayal. The good news is there are 3 simple writing-related practices that can keep you on the right path.
Remember that creative writers don’t have to be fast. They just have to be willing.
The Literary Copywriter’s Top 3 Writing Practices
1. Meditate Daily
A daily meditation practice comes with numerous health benefits. From reduced stress to improved sleeping patterns, meditation is a catalyst for radical growth.
Nothing supports working artists like improved concentration. Personally, I can’t create when I’m worried or fatigued. A cluttered mind can lead to fertile mistakes.
Meditating for just 1-2 hours (preferably in the morning) can enhance your concentration and overall mood. More compellingly, it can unlock creative brilliance.
Theatre practitioner Constantin Stanislavski wisely said talent is nothing but “a prolonged period of attention and a shortened period of mental assimilation.”
A daily meditation practice will help you focus on your creative work by literally re-programming your brain. Meditation changes our brain waves from beta to alpha to even theta. When our brains regularly produce different brain waves, the automatic nervous system steps in and leads us down a nuanced, healing journey.
If daily meditation can improve your relationships and self-image, then imagine what it can do for creative projects.
2. Read 1 Book A Week
Reading 50 + books a year isn’t just about bragging rights. Reading a novel has the power to improve your craft and theory of mind or “ToM.”
According to Psychology Today, our ToM is “the ability to attribute mental states—beliefs, intents, desires, pretending, knowledge, etc.—to oneself and others and to understand that others have beliefs, desires, and intentions that are different from one’s own.”
A book a day keeps the neurosis away.
For literary copywriters, reading books improves our creative writing skills. There’s a reason (or several) why Stephen King vows that every great writer is a great reader. Zadie Smith makes a similar argument in her enchanting collection of essays Changing My Mind.
Reading 1 book a week is a fun and necessary challenge. Your biggest opponent will be personal distractions.
Copywriter Mila Meldosian offers practical advice on how we can better manage our time so we can open ourselves to the world of ideas. If you’ve fallen behind on your reading schedule, be sure to check out Mila’s article on how you can easily read more books this year.
3. Write 1,000 Words a Day
After meditating, I highly recommend writing at least 1,000 words toward your creative project. Remember that these words aren’t perfection, they’re a contribution.
The best way to complete a creative work is to regularly contribute to the work’s atmosphere. The words you write each day may not make it into the completed draft. As you know, writing is re-writing. No word is ever wasted.
When you write 1,000 words a day toward your project’s atmosphere, then you gift yourself the confidence and stamina to keep going. This puts you on a routine deadline-focused, inspirational path of completing what you set out to do.
Everyone writes. Real writers finish things.
More from The Literary Copywriter
Use Your English Degree Like a Writer
A Guide to Publishing in Literary Magazines
3 Reasons Why Women Business Owners Charge Less & What to Do About It
Your Friend in Craft,
Emily
L.C. Spotlight: Brooke Knisley
Welcome back to The Literary Copywriter spotlight where I feature professional writers with literary pursuits. I knew I wanted to interview Brooke Knisley after reading her compelling work on feminism, ableism, and pop culture in publications such as Bitch Media, HuffPost, The Boston Globe Magazine, DAME Magazine, and others.
Read moreL.C. Book of the Month: Me And White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
Me And White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
L.C. Book of the Month
Welcome to L.C. Book of the Month! This month I’m reading Me And White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad, a bestselling author, anti-racism educator, and international speaker. She’s also the host of the Good Ancestor Podcast where she conducts interviews with change-makers and culture-shapers.
Why Me And White Supremacy?
I selected Me And White Supremacy as the L.C. Book of the Month because I want to live in a world where no one has to justify or fight for their right to exist and thrive. As someone with white privilege, it’s my responsibility to dismantle internal white racial conditioning in service of Liberation.
Me And White Supremacy helps unite antiracist values with actual practice. To complete this book, you must have a journal and open heart. The book is divided into two parts and four weeks. Each week comes with a reflection on the effects of white supremacy on BIPOC individuals as well as several journaling prompts to be completed by white and white-passing readers.
Although this book can be completed in a minimum of 28 days, the work is far from over. The realizations, hard truths, and painful memories these journaling prompts will inspire are an ongoing process. However, starting within is an unavoidable step. Like Saad says in the beginning of this book, “Create the change the world needs by creating change within yourself.” That’s alchemy. That’s freedom.
As mentioned, the book offers reflective journaling prompts on relationships to white supremacy. Some of my answers have surprised me in a good way. For example, when asked to create a list of ways I've benefitted from white privilege I wrote, "As a white fiction writer, I don't have to worry about whether or not my white protagonists will be too misunderstood or disliked by readers. In fact, my white characters are more likely to be praised for their imperfections and/or misconduct." Probably would've never written those words down if it weren't for this book. Time to become a good ancestor on and off the page ❤
Read Me And White Supremacy Today
More Ways to Help in the Ongoing Fight Against Systemic Racism:
Volunteer with Creating for Justice, a growing network of activists who offer artistic and other professional services in exchange for donations. All donations benefit an anti-racist organization in exchange for the volunteer’s services.
For more info, check out my interview with CFJ Founders Taylor Masamitsu and Casey Neubauer
Your Friend in Craft,
Emily
L.C. Spotlight: Erin Michelle Gibes
Welcome back to the Literary Copywriter spotlight where I feature professional writers with creative pursuits. Today I interviewed Erin Michelle Gibes, a professional writer and book coach specializing in speculative fiction with a literary feel.
Read moreL.C. Spotlight: John Vasiliades
John Vasiliades
L.C. Spotlight 11/9/20
Welcome back to the Literary Copywriter spotlight where I feature professional writers with creative pursuits. Today I interviewed John Vasiliades, an award-winning copywriter who’s also reimagining how and where we read fiction. John works as a junior copywriter for Giant Spoon and has worked as a legal assistant and news intern for WFUV Public Radio
Let’s hear from John!
Literary Copywriter (L.C): Tell me about your writing journey. When did you first realize that a.) you are a writer, and b.) you want to make a living off of your writing?
John Vasiliades (J.V.): I studied political science in undergrad — on my way to becoming a lawyer. I Interned for a firm. Took the LSAT. Got my recommendations. But at the tail end of my senior year, I realized going into law would be settling. I had a few TV pilots and screenplays I had written for fun, tucked in my hard drive. And this weird daydream that I’d become a lawyer-turned-writer, like John Grisham.
That dream just became a lot simpler when I removed the lawyer part.
L.C. Please describe your writing career. How did you get started? Who are your ideal clients.? Do you freelance or work for an agency?, etc.
J.V. I took a screenwriting elective my senior year of college. My teacher was Jim Jennewein — who wrote classics like Richie Rich and The Flintstones. He not only inspired my childhood Blockbuster picks, but was also an amazing mentor. Professor Jim taught me how to write, not just for myself, but for an audience. The craft that comes with discipline. To treat the art of writing like plumbing as much as painting.
Which was exactly what I needed to flourish, and really push myself creatively.
After college, I went to the Creative Circus, an ad school in Atlanta. It was there that I learned about advertising specifically. I landed my first internship, and from that internship — I landed another at Giant Spoon.
My partner and I were the first creative interns in Giant Spoon’s history. And as of this moment, the only junior team in New York. This has given us the opportunity to really learn from all the amazingly smart people in our office, whether they’re in strategy, account, or creative. And it’s also given us the ability to step up to the plate. Working on everything from social posts to big pitches.
I love entertainment, so my ideal clients would be within that category. Which is why Giant Spoon is perfect. I’ve gotten to work on briefs for Netflix, HBO, Discovery, and BBC.
L.C. I love supporting writers who are also hard at work on a creative, personal project. This could be a novel, memoir, poetry collection etc. Tell me more about what you’re working on and what you hope to gain from the experience (book deal, more publications, career change, personal growth, etc.). I see you’re writing a series that explores a world where the public sector is dead. What inspired you to write this series, and who/what are some go to creative influences?
J.V. Agora is a Substack I created. Substack is for newsletters, but I wanted to see if I could reimagine the medium, and create five minute fiction — made for your inbox.
I write super short stories every Friday, all set in this world called Agora. It’s a universe where the public sector is dead. Where we’re governed, not by ineffective politicians, but faceless corporations.
This world was created out of anxiety. I love my industry — creative advertising is super fulfilling, challenging, and fun. It’s full of the smartest people I’ve ever met.
But 2020 was a dire wake up call for me, as I’m sure it was for a lot of us. Basically we’ve undergone decades of change in the matter of weeks. We are still processing it.
I think we have two options going forward. Stay on our course, which maybe wasn’t the most ideal to begin with. Or reimagine a new way. One where people like me in the private sector aren’t supposed to solve all of society’s ills. One where we’re expected to be good citizens as much as we are consumers. Where our choices aren’t made so deliberately for us.
My two inspirations for this project were A Brave New World and Black Mirror.
Our world gets compared to 1984 a lot, but in my view, it’s a lot closer to Huxley’s vision than Orwell’s. A Brave New World is just genius, and it’s super impressive that it was written in 1931.
Black Mirror poses the right questions. It hits you with a gut wrenching twist every time. That’s something I wanted to emulate with my stories.
I’m trying not to get too ahead of myself with this one — Substack is great because every email signup means something. It’s another person reading my stories. Unlike a “like” or a “retweet” there’s a permanence I admire. So as long as I keep getting one more email signup, I’m happy.
L.C. Feel free to share how you balance work, life, and writing. It’s okay, if you’re struggling with this. It’s all part of the process!
J.V. There’s no perfect answer to this. But putting everything on my Google Calendar (personal and work-related) helps a lot. And waking up early. My brain just works better. It’s like drugs. I like to think that one hour of morning time is worth three hours of afternoon time.
L.C. Say someone much younger than you says, “I want to be a writer, but I’m afraid I won’t succeed.” What would you tell them?
J.V. I’d say Google “impostor syndrome” and you might feel better. Everyone feels that way. My strategy is to fail, and fail so fast and with so much volume that by the time anyone realizes, I’m doing my next great thing.
Click to learn more about Agora
Connect with John
Website: johnvasiliades.com
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3 Reasons Why Women Business Owners Charge Less & What to Do About It
Your friend in Craft,
Emily
L.C. Spotlight: Alina Cohen
L.C. Spotlight: Alina Cohen
L.C. Spotlight 11/2/20
Welcome back to the Literary Copywriter spotlight where I feature professional writers with creative pursuits. Today I interviewed Alina Cohen, a writing instructor and MFA candidate in fiction at the University of Montana. She previously worked as a Staff Writer at Artsy.net and has published cultural journalism in outlets including The New York Observer, The Nation, The Wall Street Journal Magazine, and T (The New York Times Style Magazine).
Let’s hear from Alina!
Literary Copywriter: Tell me about your writing journey. When did you first realize that a.) you are a writer, and b.) you want to make a living off of your writing?
Alina Cohen: I still have trouble acknowledging that I'm a "writer," whatever that means. I began keeping journals around the third grade, and ever since then, writing has offered a way to process my experiences and the world around me. I took a couple writing courses in college and in New York City (where I moved after graduation), but I still didn't feel like a writer. For better or for worse, I thought it would help my own self-image if someone was paying me to write. So, after working for a year and a half at a public relations firm in Manhattan, I left the job and began pitching culture stories to various publications. Bylines and checks (small and irregular though they were) helped me feel more like a writer. Eventually, I wound up with a Staff Writer gig at an online marketplace + digital publication called Artsy.net. So, at least on LinkedIn, I am now a "writer." The PR gig taught me that anyone can pitch an editor, and that making at least a partial living off writing is doable.
L.C. So much of your journalism covers the intersection of historical narratives and female empowerment. You write of women filmmakers, artists, leaders, etc. who've managed to hold their own in the chaos of this world. From personal setbacks to war, they've alchemized hardship into a sense of freedom. Has this influenced your fiction in any way, or do you draw from other forms of inspiration?
A.C. In my journalism, I love highlighting underappreciated artistic figures and narratives. Telling women's stories is particularly exciting, though I'm eager to explore the work of anyone who's developed a unique creative voice that really speaks to me. My fiction, on the other hand, generally starts from some internal place of shame. Journalism forces me to engage with the world, while short stories require me to turn inward.
L.C. I love supporting professional writers who are also hard at work on a creative, personal project. This could be a novel, memoir, poetry collection etc. Tell me more about what you’re working on and what you hope to gain from the experience (book deal, more publications, career change, personal growth, etc.). Feel free to share how you balance work, life, and writing. It’s okay, if you’re struggling with this. It’s all part of the process!
A.C. I'm writing short stories (mostly about flailing young women... no connection to my own experiences, of course) and have put some longer projects on the back burner for now. I'm lucky enough to be funded at an MFA program in the mountains, which is pretty blissful. Only mildly ashamed to admit that I'd love to get published, receive some incredible book advance, and never have to work again! I will then buy a villa in Italy and spend my days eating pasta and sailing the Mediterranean. Until then, I will continue my routine of writing in bed on the weekends, baking when I get stressed out, and enjoying my time chatting with friends new and old.
L.C. Writers are needed but often undermined/unappreciated. Especially those of us with literary goals in mind! If applicable, could you speak to how you’ve faced/overcome challenges in your career? It’s okay if these challenges are ongoing (they often are). Feel free to share any words of wisdom you may have from mentors, literary heroes, etc.
A.C. My challenges are certainly ongoing. I had to apply to MFA programs three times, over the course of six years, before I got into one that offered me a good enough deal to accept. After dozens of applications, only one school (Montana) ever let me in. But I'm here now, and I love it. I've still never had any fiction accepted for publication and doubt, all the time, whether I ever will. Two instructors' words of wisdom on this front have stuck with me. One told me that "successful" writers aren't necessarily the best writers—they are just the ones who keep doing it. Another told me, "if you don't write, nothing happens." The world does not stop, and no one cares if you stop writing. But also, nothing happens for you and your own creative journey. I'm taking a class on Samuel Beckett right now, and I've been thinking about the philosophy that pervades his books as well—that creativity is the opposite of death. Only art allows us to transcend the mortal, individual self. A nice, low-stakes way of looking at things.
L.C. Say someone much younger than you says, “I want to be a writer, but I’m afraid I won’t succeed.” What would you tell them?
A.C. I think anyone who wants to write has to define what success looks like for them. So much of the writing "career" stuff... getting into an MFA program, getting published, making money... seems pretty far outside a writer's control. It seems like a good idea to get well-acquainted with rejection and try not to take it personally (I'm getting better at this, slowly). Comparing yourself to others mostly leads to despair. I think you just have to keep writing and finding your own voice until some stars align, or until you find something else that makes you happy. Try not to make yourself too miserable in the interim. Find a good shrink.
More from The Literary Copywriter
L.C. Spotlight: An Interview with Alicia Jones
A Guide to Publishing in Literary Magazines
L.C. Spotlight: An Interview with Evan Brown
If you’re a professional writer with literary ambitions, I’d love to hear from you
Your Friend in Craft,
Emily
3 Reasons Why Women Business Owners Charge Less & What They Can Do About It
3 Reasons Why Women Business Owners Charge Less
And what to do about it
Women Entrepreneurs Are Still Charging Less for Their Services
Sad but true: Women who set their own rates charge less than their male equivalents. As we know, women earn 81 cents for every dollar earned by men.
This strange and unfair wage gap explains why many women choose to work for themselves. When you own your business, you determine your own hours and rates. Easy enough, right?
So why are women business owners still charging less than their male equivalents?
It’s not you it’s…everything
Truthfully, the reasons why women business owners charge less than what they’re worth are endless. History and culturally-sanctioned expectations play a large role. Self-employed women must still answer to systemic biases.
According to new research from Freshbooks, 20 % of Women Entrepreneurs believe they must charge less than men in their industry to keep their clients, and 34% have experienced gender discrimination even while working for themselves. When you consider that many women entrepreneurs are also single parents, trauma survivors, and/or saddled with student loan debt, the lean and mean business world becomes increasingly difficult to navigate.
But there is good news…
When we acknowledge falsehoods within our hearts and minds, we can embrace more positive outcomes in the material world. Basic alchemy says this: we cannot accept the new until we dissolve the old.
The following reasons explain why women entrepreneurs charge less and how to overcome them. As clichéd as this might sound, change starts with you, and financial freedom starts with self-acceptance. Acceptance doesn’t have to lead to inertia. As the great Byron Katie says, “When we stop opposing reality, action becomes simple, fluid, kind, and fearless.”
3 Reasons Why Women Business Owners Charge Less
1. Imposter Syndrome
Photo by Hannah Pahl
Imposter syndrome, or the belief that one’s accomplishments, skills, and talents are either fabricated or come from a place of inauthenticity, permeates women entrepreneurs. Women, women of color, and members of the LGBTQIA community are more likely to experience imposter syndrome than privileged social groups.
When women doubt their capabilities, they play small. And when you play small in business or love, you receive very, very little. A lack of representation and/or role models play a huge role in how women conduct business among others and themselves. Pervasive racist and/or sexist ideas can negatively impact the hiring process especially in Fortune 500 companies.
But even successful women entrepreneurs still wrestle with imposter syndrome. Mila Meldosian an expert copywriter and marketer, says imposter syndrome is a common hurdle for freelance writers.
“We don't quite fit into the mold of traditional work and expectations. So we are compelled to choose our own path, but it can be lonely and difficult—especially if we are rather introspective as I think most writers are. And it can be hard to promote yourself and put your work out there to be judged! I know I struggle with perfectionism a lot and it causes a lot of resistance to take action.”-Mila Meldosian
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome to Grow Your Business
Raise Your Prices
A great way for women entrepreneurs to overcome imposter syndrome is to raise their prices. When you charge what you’re worth, you’ll attract quality clients and see a significant increase in your income.
Determining your prices is a vulnerable experience, and it can be hard to know where to start. For women entrepreneurs who are just starting out, study other people in your industry and see what they charge based on their experience and skill level. You should also determine your dream yearly salary and see how much you’d have to charge to reach that goal.
Freelance copywriter and creative writer, Megan Barlog has great advice for freelancers on determining their prices:
“I decided upon a $100/hr rate, and then I estimated how much time varying types of projects might take me. For example, a well-researched blog post might be $300, but a short listicle might only be $150. While a simple blog post might take me an hour or less to write, I also keep in mind the hours of unpaid work that must go on behind the scenes in order to land a project. That includes emailing clients about the specifics of a project, crafting proposals for clients that inevitably get turned down, plus ancillary business expenses like maintaining a website or purchasing office supplies. For every hour of "paid" work there are often additional hours of unpaid work, and that needs to be calculated into your rates.”
For more writerly tips and insights, be sure to check out my recent interview with Megan Barlog
Don’t Try to “prove” your worth. Write a Hypersigil instead
Hustle culture teaches us to constantly prove our worth. Women entrepreneurs are conditioned to overwork and undermine themselves for the sake of commerce. While actions can speak louder than words and hard work certainly pays off, our actions fall flat when rooted in scarcity.
One way to overcome scarcity and/or imposter syndrome is to write daily hypersigils. In magic/alchemy, a hypersigil is a feedback loop created between the magician and their persona. Hypersigils take the form of letters, poems, narratives, and more. The more effort you put into writing hypersigils, the clearer the results. Hypersigils help you alter reality in accordance with your will or intent.
I recommend that women entrepreneurs keep a daily journal dedicated to hypersigiling. Perhaps you write a letter to your future self and/or intuition. Be very specific in how you want things to go, especially in terms of emotions. For example, perhaps by 2023 you’d like to earn six figures off your life coaching business. In your hypersigil, write to your future self (or vice versa) about how you plan on making 6 figures and how that will make you feel internally. Will you feel elated, powerful, sexy, invincible, or grateful? Write it down, feel everything, then tuck the hypersigil away. You’ll be amazed at how quickly certain elements of your hypersigil will come true.
As a freelancer, I love hypersigiling. I’ve even come to love the phrase “fake it until you make it.” That’s how things get done. When you approach people and situations from a place of fulfillment, everyone wins.
2. A Healthy Sense of Boundaries
Photo courtesy canva.com
I know, I know. How can a healthy sense of boundaries limit women in business? Boundaries are a common but misunderstood form of self-care. While boundaries are an act of self-love, they’re also an expression of energetic violence.
Think about it. You can’t have boundaries without self-love, and you can’t have self-love without self-defense. Boundaries mean nothing without a healthy dose of threat. They’re like sanitized martial law. While boundaries in our personal relationships keep us healthy and safe, too many boundaries (conscious or unconscious) can limit how we thrive in business.
As you know, competition is fierce. The aggression alone can alienate women entrepreneurs, especially those of us who were raised to be nice and apologetic about literally everything.
And if there’s one thing women would like to see less of in this world, it’s violence of all kinds. Patriarchy’s primed us to feel afraid whether we’re in true danger or not. This fear loves to creep into our pricing and services.
Overcoming a Healthy Sense of Boundaries to Grow Your Business
Stick to Your Prices but Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for More
Women succeed in the business world not by abandoning compassion but by overcoming psychological hurdles created to keep us “safe.” I recommend pushing your limits by setting your rates in a range that may be just a little outside of your comfort zone. Once you make a decision, stick with it.
Firm decisions hold power because they exhaust all other possibilities. However, that doesn’t mean your prices can’t go up. In fact, they should go up. Your rates will most likely change in your favor on a client to client basis.
And remember, don’t be afraid to ask for what you’re worth. Chances are, you’re worth a lot more than you think.
3. A Lack of Ferocity
Photo courtesy canva.com
Imagine a tiger alone in a jungle. What do you see? In William Blake’s famous poem “The Tyger,” he describes a creature burning bright with “fearful symmetry.” The same creature burning bright is the same creature that will bear its fangs to those foolish enough to stand in her way.
As writer and business coach Carolyn Elliott says, if you’re in business for yourself, you are a predator. Obviously, the term predator has negative connotations in our culture and for good reasons. However, think back to that peaceful tiger. As Elliott rightfully notes, even a creature as gorgeous and gentle as a tiger, has the power to destroy for the sake of survival and self-interest.
When I pitch to a client or submit to a writing contest, I don’t do so to foster community. I enter to win. However, when I coach writers and students, I give them the tools they need to rule the jungles of their unique human experience so they can surpass others in their fields (myself included).
Entrepreneurship is a constant dance of submission and slay. The faster women can make peace with reality, the better chance they have in changing it for the higher good.
Overcoming a Lack of Ferocity to Grow Your Business
Love All, Trust few. Take Vengeance
If you’re a woman, an abuse survivor, or a member of the disability, BIPOC or LGBTQIA community, then you have every right to take vengeance on the First World. I define vengeance as the drive toward justice. Whether you’re motivated by political energies or are simply pissed off, vengeance can help you become spiritually, financially, and emotionally wealthy.
Your talents are at once desired and undermined. That’s not a viable way to live life or conduct business. Give yourself permission or whatever it is you need to change this fraught and beautiful world. Just don’t think you have to do it all on your own.
Put those revenge fantasies to practical use by linking up with fellow masterminds. The following are a list of beloved groups and resources for women and/or BIPOC, LGBTQIA entrepreneurs:
Black Women Business Owners of America
Indigenous Women Business Network
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L.C. Spotlight: Creating for Justice
Creating for Justice
AMPLIFYING BIPOC VOICES WHILE FOSTERING COMMUNITY, AND FACILITATING ACCESSIBLE ARTS AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION.
The Literary Copywriter stands with #blacklivesmatter! I believe that the best education offers people tools for resistance and creative expression. No one should have to defend their right to exist. That’s why I volunteer with Creating for Justice, a growing network of activists who offer artistic and other professional services in exchange for donations. All donations benefit an anti-racist organization in exchange for the volunteer’s services.
For example, if you were to seek my writing services through CFJ, I’d ask that you donate to at least one of the following organizations:
There’s no minimum donation amount, and CFJ offers a variety of services including writing/editing, tax assistance, ergonomic help, nutrition counseling, performing arts, music lessons, and more!
Creating for Justice – Mission Statement
Our mission is to amplify BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) voices while fostering community, and facilitating accessible arts and professional education.
At CFJ, we see activism, education, and allyship as essential tools in the ongoing fight against systemic racism. We strive to make meaningful connections with every person in our community to build a stronger, louder, and broader coalition of people who are in this fight.
Interview with founders Taylor Masamitsu and Casey Neubauer
Literary Copywriter: Tell me about the history of Creating for Justice. A lot of beautiful opportunities have come out of the #blacklivesmatter movement, and CFJ's mission is so unique! I love your friend Gaïana Joseph's question, "What talents do you have that can set people free?" What else inspired CFJ's services for donations model?
Taylor Masamitsu & Casey Neubauer: On June 5th, we attended a vigil when Breonna Taylor should have been celebrating her 27th birthday. The organizers facilitated a powerful demonstration, and we will always show up for Black Lives Matter. That protest was different, though. That was the day when, for us, protesting wasn't enough.
We walked home in the rain and sat on the couch, brainstorming ways to make a tangible, demonstrable difference. Then, perhaps cosmically, Gaïana posed the question, "what talents do you have that can set people free?" It was a perfect confluence of inspiration, and it serves as CFJ's guiding principle.
Initially, we thought Taylor would raise money by teaching voice lessons—it's what he does all day, anyway. Being a financial advisor, we figured Casey could also offer some budgeting services. Struggling to find a way to bridge the two services, it finally dawned on us: why stop there?
We started reaching out to the friends and coworkers we thought might want to join our team. Many were—and remain—thrilled to use their talents to help set people free.
At CFJ, we realize donating is inherently a privilege, which inspired our donation model. We want to offer artistic and other professional services to as many people as possible!
"What talents do you have that can set people free?" It was a perfect confluence of inspiration, and it serves as CFJ's guiding principle.
L.C.: Do either of you have a background in nonprofit organizations or community organizing? When did you realize you wanted CFJ to become a 501(c)(3) organization?
T.M & C.N: Taylor has taught in the nonprofit sector for eight years. He's learned a lot about what makes nonprofits successful while maintaining a cheerful, productive team. Coupled with Casey's unrivaled organizational skills, we always planned for CFJ to become a 501(c)(3) organization.
L.C. CFJ centers around the BIPOC communities they serve. How have your ongoing relationships with different communities strengthened the work you do in or outside of CFJ?
T.M. & C.N.: We strive to include as many experiences as possible when designing CFJ's work. This means folding friends, colleagues, and acquaintances—and all of their friends, colleagues, and acquaintances—into the conversation. We believe fighting systemic racism is an all-hands-on-deck situation, and we invite everyone to have a seat at our table.
L.C. What are some immediate and long-term goals for CFJ?
T.M. & C.N: Immediately, we want to introduce people to CFJ! Having just started this summer, we are eager to provide services, raise awareness, and financially support some outstanding organizations.
Thinking ahead, we are working to secure funding for community projects. Our amazing volunteers have suggested some incredible ideas: inmate choirs, BIPOC theatre-making, communicating through art, and college preparatory programs, to name a few.
L.C. I see you recently launched an exciting membership program! How can becoming a member of CFJ help us continue to fight for social justice?
T.M. & C.N. Becoming a CFJ member is beneficial in the fight for social justice because it allows CFJ to continue operating. Membership dues go directly back into the business. As a member, you can also take advantage of our services regularly, and you'll receive a copy of AMPLIFY, our monthly anti-racist resource guide.
We believe fighting systemic racism is an all-hands-on-deck situation, and we invite everyone to have a seat at our table.
TAYLOR MASAMITSU
Taylor Masamitsu is a Japanese-American tenor, music director, and educator based in New York City. He is a champion of accessible arts education and is dedicated to using his skills for the amplification of BIPOC voices.
As an educator, Taylor has worked with leading schools and non-profits determined to provide meaningful, accessible arts education. He proudly serves on the faculties at Columbia University, The School of The New York Times, Metropolitan Elite Education, and Random Farms Kids' Theater. Taylor has previously been on faculties at the CalArts Community Arts Partnership, Broadway Training Center of Westchester, Inside Broadway, Plaza de la Raza, West Creek Academy, and Burbank Unified School District.
Taylor received his Master of Arts (MA) in Vocal Pedagogy at Columbia University. Previously, Taylor received his Professional Diploma (PD) in Opéra from École Normale de Musique de Paris and his Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Vocal Performance from The California Institute of the Arts. Additionally, he was a Young Artist at the International Vocal Artists Academy of Payerbach.
The son of Robert "Chip" Masamitsu (Editor, Dances With Wolves, 1991) and Andrea Pugliese (Emmy Award Winner, The Doctors, 2010; The Ellen Degeneres Show, 2019; six-time nominee), Taylor was fortunate to have been inspired and raised by incredible artists in their Los Angeles home.
CASEY NEUBAUER
CO-FOUNDER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Casey Neubauer is a Project Manager and Financial Advisor based in New York City. He is committed to using his skills to combat the finance industry, which has systemically oppressed BIPOC communities.
An Iowa native, Casey graduated from Iowa State University before relocating to Austin, Texas to pursue a career in finance. He quickly established himself as one of JPMorgan Chase's top Private Client Bankers, which ultimately brought his talents to Manhattan.
Shortly after arriving in New York, Casey transitioned into the financial technology (FinTech) industry, where he currently manages online and mobile banking projects for credit unions nationwide. Additionally, to fully utilize his passions, expertise, and experience, Casey proudly serves as Executive Director of Operations at Creating for Justice.
Connect with Creating for Justice
At CFJ, we believe everyone has talents that can help set people free. If you’re ready to use yours to fight systemic racism and make a lasting change, please learn more about our services or join our team!
Connect with The Literary Copywriter
Your Friend in Craft,
Emily
