Crisp Copy’s website is a treasure trove of entertaining sentences. As a copywriting service, they know how to write words that will make brands sound their very best, and consumers listen up. At the heart of Crisp Copy is Elizabeth McIntyre, and Desk Life Project caught up with her recently about her business to find out what she does and how she does it so well. If you’re interested in working with a copywriter or you are hoping to set up your own business doing exactly that, read on:

Hi Elizabeth, tell us about your business!

Crisp copy is a copywriting service for small to medium businesses looking for zest in their web copy and email marketing. Words with personality are our specialty.

What was your background before you began the business, and what motivated you to change direction?

Crisp was a happy accident! I was a yoga teacher and academic coordinator after I graduated university, but wasn’t very fulfilled in either role. I had an opportunity to move to Thailand and teach English and leapt at the chance, but two weeks in I realised that wasn’t quite my calling either. So, I started looking for remote work (literally anything that would pay me) and through trial and error, and several tribulations, I started content writing. I realized that I was good at it, and, even better, that I liked doing it. I began to figure out what I was best at and who I liked working with, and took the plunge into launching a real website and starting a company. Haven’t looked back since!

What has been your proudest moment in business so far?

There have been so many ups and downs to starting and running this business, but every single one of them has helped me become the woman I am today. I know, without a doubt, that I can face anything now (and in any country!). I didn’t necessarily have that confidence when I first started. But, travelling the world and growing a business that I knew nothing about two years ago has taught me a lot about myself, and who I want to be in the future.

What’s the biggest lesson you have learned since starting your business?

Always have a contract. And take a deposit upfront. If a client isn’t willing to do either, they are not worth working with.

How do you stay organised? Any tips or tools?

I live for a good notebook. It comes with me everywhere and has turned into pages of crossed out lists, but I wouldn’t be even a quarter as organised without it. I need to write things out and be able to cross them off. Second, pomodoro timers. A lifesaver for productivity – when I remember to turn it on, of course.

Would you say you have a healthy work life balance?

I try to! I find that when I make working out (like going to yoga or running) a priority, the rest of my life flows more smoothly. I try to meditate every day as well, which has been a real exercise in actually making time for myself and not just putting it off for “later”.

What do you have planned for your business and what are the next steps toward your goal?

I’m a big believer in the whole face-to-face thing, so I’m making a concerted effort to get out there and meet people through events and conferences. It both helps me feel like I don’t work forever-alone styles in a coffee shop, and I get to expand my network at the same time. I’m also beginning to shift my focus to stepping up my own email marketing game and growing my list through a series of opt-ins and building more of a community around my work.

You can find out more about Crisp Copy at www.crispcopy.co and follow on Instagram here.