Cracking Copy

Ella Hoyos and Minnie McBride
Cracking Copy

Cracking Copy Is a marketing and copywriting podcast where we lift the lid on writing for business and read between the lines of effective copy. This is a podcast for creative entrepreneurs and savvy business owners who understand the value that great copy can bring to their bottom line. We dive into a different aspect of writing for business in each episode, debunk the myths about how we *should* write, and explore the ways that writing can be fun, conversational, and creative while also being high-impact for serious results. Ella Hoyos and Minnie McBride are freelance copywriters with 30+ years of copywriting, PR and marketing experience between them. Focusing on relevant topics and giving you useful hints and tips, we aim to help you become better writers for your business.

  1. 7 Copy Checkpoints to Optimise Your Web Copy

    12/12/2024

    7 Copy Checkpoints to Optimise Your Web Copy

    In Episode 4 of our mini-series on writing copy for your website, Ella Hoyos talks with Linda Melone, an award-winning health and fitness copywriter. Linda shares her journey of crafting and optimizing website copy, emphasizing the importance of treating writing and editing as separate processes.    Together, they explore seven essential copy checkpoints to ensure your content is polished and ready to publish.   Listen as we delve into the nuances of editing copy, the impact of clichés, and the art of maintaining voice and tone consistency. Discover how to make your copy clear, engaging, and conversion-ready. Linda also shares insights from her extensive career, offering practical tips and takeaways for creative entrepreneurs and savvy business owners looking to enhance their copywriting skills.   - Introduction to Linda Malone and her journey in copywriting - The importance of separating writing and editing processes - Seven copy checkpoints for effective editing - The impact of clichés and maintaining originality - Ensuring clarity and consistency in voice and tone - Using testimonials and emotional triggers for engagement - Structuring your website for optimal user experience - Linda's resources and services for copy optimization   Be sure to subscribe to Cracking Copy for more episodes filled with expert advice and writing inspiration.   Contact Linda   Connect with Linda Melone on LinkedIn Explore her website, The Copy Worx https://thecopyworx.com, for more insights and free resources   Contact us Please drop us a voice note at memo.fm/crackingcopy and let us know what you think of this episode, or what topics you'd like to hear about.Ella Hoyos and Minnie McBride are co-hosts of this podcast.  We are professional copywriters and marketers.  We deep dive into a different aspect of copywriting in each ‘snack-sized’ episode so that we can help you become better writers for your business. Hang out with us on social, here: Ella Hoyos - @flurrymarketing Minnie McBride - @minnie__writes Ella Hoyos - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellahoyos Minnie McBride - https://www.linkedin.com/in/minniemcbride Twitter @cracking_copy Facebook @crackingcopy    ➡️  Share this podcast with someone who’ll find it useful     Support this podcast!   If you found this episode helpful you can show your appreciation by making a

    31 min
  2. Maximising The Success Of Your Three Essential Website Pages

    11/22/2024

    Maximising The Success Of Your Three Essential Website Pages

    Welcome to Episode 3 in our writing for websites series. In this episode we are looking at the three essential pages of your website. The welcome or home page, your about page and the contact page.   This episode follows on from our previous 2 episodes in this series.   Every company is different so the pages will vary from business to business but there are three pages that are really non negotiable for any business whether you are product, service, community or resources website..   The three essential pages are:   The Welcome/Home page The nerve centre of your site How can you make it informative, compelling and generate leads?   Your About Page Your secret weapon - what’s the secret to writing a killer About Page?    Your Contact Page. Why just a link isn’t enough. How can you make it a converting page?   Are you making the most of these pages? If you are looking for tips on how best to maximise the effectiveness of your website then this episode is for you.   Resources    Cracking Copy Episode on storytelling with bestselling author of The Business of Stories, Susan Payton - Unlock the Power of Storytelling for your business (August 2023)   To combine the personalised touch of human face-to-face interactions with the efficiency of automation Ella mentioned VideoAsk as an option Contact us Please drop us a voice note at memo.fm/crackingcopy and let us know what you think or what topics you want us to cover.   Twitter @cracking_copy Facebook @crackingcopy    ➡️  Share this podcast with someone who’ll find it useful     You can also find us at:   Instagram: Ella Hoyos - @flurrymarketing Minnie McBride - @minnie__writes   LinkedIn: Ella Hoyos - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellahoyos Minnie McBride - https://www.linkedin.com/in/minniemcbride   Ella Hoyos and Minnie McBride are co-hosts of this podcast.  We are professional copywriters and marketers.  We deep dive into a different aspect of copywriting in each ‘snack-sized’ episode so that we can help you become better writers for your business.   Support this podcast!   If you found this episode helpful you can show your appreciation by making a donation!  This helps offset the costs of producing the show and we’ll love you for it :)    Buy me a coffee

    37 min
  3. Websites That Appeal To Your Target Audience

    11/07/2024

    Websites That Appeal To Your Target Audience

    In this second episode in our Writing for Websites Series, we are going to give you some tips on how to ensure that the copy in your website will align with your target audience.   We will be covering   Revisiting your website’s purpose  Your target audience and how to craft your writing to different personas/decision makers The visitor journey through your website pages UX - User Experience User Testing and why this is a good idea Don’t forget, we’re going to release new episodes in this Writing for Websites Series fortnightly so don’t forget to hit subscribe to ensure you don’t miss an episode.   We will be deep diving into topics including SEO, User Experience, what you need to think about including in your essential pages and lots more. If you’re looking to revamp or completely redo your website THIS SERIES IS FOR YOU! Resources    Cracking Copy Episode with Claire Cunningham - UX Writing for a Great User Experience (January 2024)   Contact us Please drop us a voice note at memo.fm/crackingcopy and let us know what you think or what topics you want us to cover.   Twitter @cracking_copy Facebook @crackingcopy    ➡️  Share this podcast with someone who’ll find it useful     You can also find us at:   Instagram: Ella Hoyos - @flurrymarketing Minnie McBride - @minnie__writes   LinkedIn: Ella Hoyos - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellahoyos Minnie McBride - https://www.linkedin.com/in/minniemcbride   Ella Hoyos and Minnie McBride are co-hosts of this podcast.  We are professional copywriters and marketers.  We deep dive into a different aspect of copywriting in each ‘snack-sized’ episode so that we can help you become better writers for your business.   Support this podcast!   If you found this episode helpful you can show your appreciation by making a donation!  This helps offset the costs of producing the show and we’ll love you for it :)    Buy me a coffee

    32 min
  4. Why (And How To) Upgrade Your Website?

    10/24/2024

    Why (And How To) Upgrade Your Website?

    This is the first episode in our series about writing websites.   How do you know if you even need a website in the first place?   This episode still applies if you don’t yet have a website because we are going to be discussing:   Why you need one The signs to look for that indicate it's time to review your copy if you’ve had one for a while. Why is it important to keep it up to date? Why you might need to hire a pro copywriter And we are going to talk about a checklist of what you might want your website to contain This new series will be invaluable in helping you focus on one of the most important marketing assets in your business.    We will release episodes fortnightly so don’t forget to hit subscribe to ensure you don’t miss an episode.   We will be deep-diving into topics including SEO, UX (User Experience), what you need to think about including in your essential pages and lots more. If you’re looking to revamp or completely redo your website THIS SERIES IS FOR YOU! Resources  Many wireframe templates can be found in Google search but you can check out: Miro Figma   Contact us Please drop us a voice note at memo.fm/crackingcopy and let us know what you think or what topics you want us to cover.   Twitter @cracking_copy Facebook @crackingcopy    ➡️  Share this podcast with someone who’ll find it useful     You can also find us at:   Instagram: Ella Hoyos - @flurrymarketing Minnie McBride - @minnie__writes   LinkedIn: Ella Hoyos - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellahoyos Minnie McBride - https://www.linkedin.com/in/minniemcbride   Ella Hoyos and Minnie McBride are co-hosts of this podcast.  We are professional copywriters and marketers.  We deep dive into a different aspect of copywriting in each ‘snack-sized’ episode so that we can help you become better writers for your business.   Support this podcast!   If you found this episode helpful you can show your appreciation by making a donation!  This helps offset the costs of producing the show and we’ll love you for it :)    Buy me a coffee

    46 min
  5. Revenue Strategies for Freelancers: Stay Close to the Money

    10/14/2024

    Revenue Strategies for Freelancers: Stay Close to the Money

    Do you know what the most profitable levers and high leverage activities are in your business?  The answer might surprise you - especially when you are consumed with the day to day operations, so busy with clients & delivery that you've lost focus on your ROI. In this episode, Ella Hoyos gets chatty with Frenchie Ferenczi, a seasoned revenue strategist and business consultant. Frenchie has some brilliant insights on optimising revenue pathways for copywriters and business owners.   She shares strategies that will keep your eyes on the money so you can grow a sustainable business.  This one's for you if you're ready to maximise your financial impact without the hustle and grind. We delve into: The concept of "staying close to the money" and how it can revolutionise your business approach Common financial pitfalls creatives face and strategies to avoid them The importance of tracking income streams and planning for future business health Utilising marketing levers beyond lead generation to enhance business growth Setting up pricing and business models to maximise profitability Frenchie also shares practical tips on leveraging existing networks and customer relationships, allowing you to work smarter, not harder. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, these insights will help you navigate the complexities of running a successful business. About Frenchie  Frenchie Ferenczi is a business consultant and advisor who helps founders, creatives, and business leaders optimize their path to revenue and impact. Frenchie’s mission is to build thriving business leaders who get meaningful results, leave a mark on others, and feel proud of their work daily. In her career, Frenchie has scaled $100 million businesses like The Wing, managed teams of over 50 people, and mentored 1000+ entrepreneurs. Frenchie has been featured in Forbes and Fast Company, among others and lives in New York City. Contact Frenchie: Website: https://www.frenchieferenczi.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frenchie.ferenczi/ Resources: Profit First by Mike Michalowicz: https://mikemichalowicz.com/profit-first/ More... Explore Frenchie's programmes and workshops, including "Revenue School," which provides actionable strategies to enhance your financial outcomes.  Connect with Frenchie on social media or drop her a message to learn more about staying close to the money. She also has no nonsense podcast called Strategy Snacks - short and punchy 5-10 min episodes with no fluff titles like “F*ck manifesting!” Contact us Please drop us a voice note at memo.fm/crackingcopy and let us know what you think or what topics you want us to cover. Twitter @cracking_copy Facebook @crackingcopy ➡️ Share this podcast with someone who’ll find it useful You can also find us at: Instagram: Ella Hoyos - @flurrymarketing Minnie McBride - @minnie__writes LinkedIn: Ella Hoyos - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellahoyos Minnie McBride - https://www.linkedin.com/in/minniemcbride Ella Hoyos and Minnie McBride are co...

    33 min
  6. The Importance Of The Copy Brief and the Art of Preparation

    09/13/2024

    The Importance Of The Copy Brief and the Art of Preparation

    This episode of Cracking Copy addresses the importance of the brief. The copywriting brief is all the information you need to nail your copy in the first draft. This episode is a must listen if you are:   The client doing the briefing A copywriter taking a brief from a client or If you’re looking to write your own copy, because you will need to undertake the same preparation   Minnie talks to marketing pro, Cindy Herraman-Stowers. Cindy has over two decades of marketing experience from both client and agency side and brings a wealth of experience and really useful tips to the conversation.   If you want to know what makes a good brief and deep dive into the nitty gritty of pre-writing preparation then this episode is for you. Contact Cindy Herraman-Stowers   Contact Cindy by email here   Resources   Download your useful Brief Checklist here   Download Minnie’s Marketing Plan template here Contact us Please drop us a voice note at memo.fm/crackingcopy and let us know what you think or what topics you want us to cover.   Twitter @cracking_copy Facebook @crackingcopy    ➡️  Share this podcast with someone who’ll find it useful     You can also find us at:   Instagram: Ella Hoyos - @flurrymarketing Minnie McBride - @minnie__writes   LinkedIn: Ella Hoyos - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellahoyos Minnie McBride - https://www.linkedin.com/in/minniemcbride   Ella Hoyos and Minnie McBride are co-hosts of this podcast.  We are professional copywriters and marketers.  We deep dive into a different aspect of copywriting in each ‘snack-sized’ episode so that we can help you become better writers for your business.   Support this podcast!   If you found this episode helpful you can show your appreciation by making a donation!  This helps offset the costs of producing the show and we’ll love you for it :)    Buy me a coffee

    33 min
  7. Simple Messaging for Effective Marketing

    08/29/2024

    Simple Messaging for Effective Marketing

    In this episode of Cracking Copy, Ella Hoyos welcomes Billy Broas, author of "Simple Marketing for Smart People" and creator of the Five Light Bulbs framework.   Billy shares his journey from corporate life to becoming a marketing strategist, and how his passion for beer brewing led him to discover the power of effective copywriting. This episode is for you if you've ever been unsure about how to deliver the right message at the right time to attract the customers you need.   We explore:     The importance of understanding your customer's beliefs and how to address them   The Five Light Bulbs framework and how it can transform your messaging strategy   The role of storytelling in compelling copy and how to integrate it effectively   Real-life success stories of businesses that have thrived using Billy’s framework   Billy also delves into the significance of upstream and downstream marketing, and how focusing on core messaging can maximise your marketing efforts. Whether you're a seasoned marketer, just starting out, (or you simply have a taste for craft beers and real ales like we do!), this episode is packed with practical insights and strategies to elevate your copywriting game.    About Billy Broas Billy Broas is a marketing philosopher and messaging strategist known for his Five Light Bulbs framework.  He helped hundreds of entrepreneurs translate their complex products and services into simple yet powerful language that drives sales and builds brands. Billy is the creator of the popular Five Lightbulbs® messaging framework, which has been described as a revolutionary approach to marketing.  He lives in San Diego with his wife and two wonderful children and enjoys frequent trips to Mexico. Contact Billy Website: https://simplemarketingbook.com Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billybroas/   Contact us Please drop us a voice note at memo.fm/crackingcopy and let us know what you think or what topics you want us to cover. Twitter @cracking_copy Facebook @crackingcopy   ➡️ Share this podcast with someone who’ll find it useful   You can also find us at:   Instagram: Ella Hoyos - @flurrymarketing Minnie McBride - @minnie__writes   LinkedIn: Ella Hoyos - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellahoyos Minnie McBride - https://www.linkedin.com/in/minniemcbride   Ella Hoyos and Minnie McBride are co-hosts of this podcast. We are professional copywriters and marketers. We deep dive into a different aspect of copywriting in each ‘snack-sized’ episode so that we can help you become better writers for your business.   Support this podcast! If you found this episode helpful you can show your appreciation by making a

    44 min
  8. 08/15/2024

    The Importance Of Personal Branding And How To Stand Out Online

    How can you define yourself and your messages in an online sea of sameness?   In the age of generative AI, personal branding is ever more important when promoting yourself and your services online.   In this episode, Ella Hoyos chats to Barbara Shimasaki. Barbara has over 30 years of experience as a marketing designer, mentor and motivational speaker. With her design background she recognises patterns in communication and created her messaging framework, “1-2-3, Your POV”, to help coaches, creatives and service providers to stand out online.    Developed for LinkedIn, this framework is a simple structure to replicate wherever you show up in the online space.   This simple framework provides structure and scaffolding to your messaging strategy and a vital gameplan to define yourself in a sea of billions of others.   This episode is for you if you’re looking to    Simplify your marketing strategy  Hone down your messaging Learn about personal branding Avoid overwhelm Elevate your presence online So tune in, sit back, listen, and let us know what you think of this episode. Continue the conversation by leaving us a message and getting in touch. Contact deets below.   About Barbara Shimasaki    Barbara is a conversion copywriter specializing in Linked In content design. She  helps experts and leaders share their points of view with a wider LinkedIn audience, one succinct carousel at a time. Her latest experiment is turning guided conversations into content for LinkedIn, newsletters, articles, and emails. Barb believes your point of view is your key differentiator in a very noisy world.   Contact Barbara on LinkedIn here  Email: barb@barkingdogsdigital.com Contact us Please drop us a voice note at memo.fm/crackingcopy and let us know what you think or what topics you want us to cover.   Twitter @cracking_copy Facebook @crackingcopy    ➡️  Share this podcast with someone who’ll find it useful     You can also find us at:   Instagram: Ella Hoyos - @flurrymarketing Minnie McBride - @minnie__writes   LinkedIn: Ella Hoyos - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellahoyos Minnie McBride - https://www.linkedin.com/in/minniemcbride   Ella Hoyos and Minnie McBride are co-hosts of this podcast.  We are professional copywriters and marketers.  We deep dive into a different aspect of copywriting in each ‘snack-sized’ episode so that we can help you become better writers for your business.   Support this podcast!   If you found this episode helpful you can show your appreciation by making a donation!  This helps offset the costs of producing the show and we’ll love you for it :)    Buy me a coffee ...

    39 min
5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Cracking Copy Is a marketing and copywriting podcast where we lift the lid on writing for business and read between the lines of effective copy. This is a podcast for creative entrepreneurs and savvy business owners who understand the value that great copy can bring to their bottom line. We dive into a different aspect of writing for business in each episode, debunk the myths about how we *should* write, and explore the ways that writing can be fun, conversational, and creative while also being high-impact for serious results. Ella Hoyos and Minnie McBride are freelance copywriters with 30+ years of copywriting, PR and marketing experience between them. Focusing on relevant topics and giving you useful hints and tips, we aim to help you become better writers for your business.

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