Copywriter of the week : Lucy

I guess you could call me a nomad.

Okay, I’ll be honest. It’s a classic case of itchy feet. I’m not hip enough to be called a ‘digital nomad’ though. I’ll leave that to the cool kids.

I’ve lived all over – Ibiza, Majorca, Malaga, Madrid, London and Edinburgh. So do you know where I’ve settled? Malton. Yeah, you heard that right. Malton – a market town in North Yorkshire.

I recently swapped working in a city for working in the countryside – and do you know what? I love it.

I’ve been a freelance copywriter for just over three years, and prior to that, I was in-house for a huge travel company, Hotelbeds Group.

I started out on the freelance path while I was in Edinburgh. (Believe me, though, the day after you’ve left a stable desk job and you’re twiddling your thumbs at home is S-C-A-R-Y).

It’s something I always aspired to be, but I was never quite sure how to get there. I’m not one of those people who just knew what they wanted to do from an early age. I really envy those people, though.

I’ve had some deviations from my career path along the way – working for a tour company, as a carer for the elderly, as a translation project manager and managing a property portfolio for Scarborough Group International.

But, I got there eventually.

Since becoming a freelance copywriter, I’ve had the privilege of working with some incredible companies like TUI Destination Services, Celestyal Cruises, Citalia and Much Better Adventures. You may notice a pattern here – travel and tourism. I research destinations across the world to write landing pages, blogs and tour descriptions for holidays that other people get to enjoy (I’m hoping one day it will be me, too).

Ever since I moved to Malton, I’ve turned my attention to helping local businesses by writing their websites, brochures and blogs. It’s amazing to meet so many smart business owners in such a small area. And the best part is I get to work with them face-to-face rather than through email or skype interaction only.

Most recently, one of my all-time favourite projects landed on my desk – to write a dream photoshoot planner and what to wear guide for a local boudoir photographer.

(If you’re not sure what that is, then it’s best to Google it – preferably in a private space).

I’ve also had the opportunity to write editorials for the local monthly magazine. And one of my most exciting projects from last year was as a writer for the Armistice 100 in collaboration with 26 and the Imperial War Museums. One hundred writers each wrote a sentence, which was all published in a book and exhibited all around.

Edinburgh’s a fantastic place for entrepreneurs and creatives, with so many opportunities, networks, hubs and support. But I’ve been surprised by how many equally enriching opportunities there are in North Yorkshire.

Local networking events that are friendly (that really important), coffee mornings, supportive groups and so much more. I never expected it, and it’s helped me find my way again and keep evolving as a copywriter.

Speaking of evolving as a copywriter…

sometimes it’s hard to realise what your own selling points are. Weird, I know, but bear with me.

I’m fluent in Spanish. I lived in Spain, I worked there and now I work with Spanish clients all the time. That’s a niche. And I failed to see this for so long.

However, I’ve come to realise that I really enjoy using my Spanish in my copywriting business as I’m able to help clients, who are Spanish, write stuff aimed for the UK market. I’ve done this for the likes of Ananda Holidays, and it’s a direction I’m keen to keep pursuing.

The future?

Please don’t ask me that. I can barely decide what I’m having for dinner tonight.

I’d like to think that this time next year I’ll still be working with some amazing small businesses. And maybe one day I’ll be living in Copenhagen – my all-time favourite city.