Archives for category: Copywriting

New business cards

October 27, 2011 //
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Carolyn Hughes freelance PR

As I’m returning to work as a freelance PR consultant after producing a baby, I thought it was a good idea to get some snazzy business cards and a logo made.

In the past, I’ve just used a cheap online printer to create my own – but let’s face it, they don’t really cut it. If I’m working in the creative industry, then I need to showcase myself in a more creative way.

So this is where my good friend and business associate, freelance graphic designer Annie Carpenter comes in. Annie designed my wedding invitations as she knew I wouldn’t like something classic or plain. The results were rather funky and trendy, so I knew I wanted my business cards to be the same. Then people might think I’m funky and trendy too :0)

Now I just need to go and hand them out!

Carolyn Hughes is a freelance PR and copywriter in Manchester. 

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Categories Being freelance, Copywriting, PR

Baby boom: Learning new skills for business

September 15, 2011 //
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Carolyn Hughes

I am just looking at starting up my work again, having been on maternity leave since February.

You read a lot of negativity about companies not wanting to employ women who may leave to have children or who already have children in case they need a lot of time off.

But after looking after a baby for the last six months, I’ve discovered that it give you loads of new skills and really polishes up the skills you always put on your CV but were never sure how good you were at them.

Here’s what I mean:

1. Multi-tasking
Right, you have a baby, which needs constant feeding, rocking, jiggling and entertaining. BUT you also have to get a wash on, make the tea AND do the washing up. Oh, and it might be pleasant to get a shower at some point during the day.

You thought you were good at multi-tasking before? Well now you’re a true expert.

2. Staying calm with a demanding client
You’ve winded, fed, changed nappy but still they cry. However the trick is lots of deep breaths and staying calm otherwise it just makes them worse. Hmmm rather like a difficult client, non?

3. Forward-planning
Whether it’s just boiling the kettle in time to make a bottle and cool it, to getting all your carefully prepared purees out the freezer, or planning where you can go to the toilet and change a nappy in the next half hour, planning ahead is essential.

A skill that will certainly come in useful when I’m back juggling PR, copywriting and marketing projects all in one day!

4. On the go with little sleep
Work is hard, especially when you’re self-employed. It’s not a nine to five job. Many times it’s a seven to seven job, if you’re lucky.

But hey, being a parent is a 24/7 job, so working for a mere eight hours a day is a BREEZE!

5. Getting ready quickly
I used to struggle to get to work for 9am whatever time I got up. Washing hair, shaving legs, faffing with hair and putting on make-up all used to take ages. But when you’re looking after a baby you learn to get ready super-quick! Run through the shower, clean teeth and get dressed. So really, you only need 10 minutes. Great skills learned for getting back to the office nice and early in the morning!

Obviously this is a tongue in cheek post – I adore having a baby. But I’m also looking forward to starting work again as I’m lucky enough to do something I really enjoy.

Give me a shout if you want to talk to someone about copywriting, PR or marketing.

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Categories Copywriting, Marketing, PR

How to get a job in the media

August 18, 2011 //
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Watching the news today reminds me of (eek) 15 years ago when I got my, to be honest, disappointing A-Level results.

Happily I have since discovered that this lack of good grades has never been a problem in the course of my career, nor I have actually been asked what my grades were.

So I thought I’d whip together a blog post with some advice on how to get a job in the media and PR industry (which is the only industry I know about). I know for sure it’s not about getting good A-level results.

1. Do work experience

Getting qualifications may well be essential but having paper certificates to your name is just part of the package. Get out there during your time at university and do as much work experience as you can.

Most companies will give work experience placements as long as you’re happy to get stuck in and help out. You may not be given the most glamorous jobs (any good at shredding documents?) but it’s a good idea to make friends with someone friendly and ask if you can help them out with some of the more interesting tasks.

2. Do your time

It’s great to come out of university raring to go, but sadly the chances are you’ll have to start at the bottom and work your way up. You may get a job at an PR agency but end up making the boss’s coffee and photocopying, but if you’re keen and you’re good you will get noticed.

If it’s a good company, you will absorb masses of knowledge and expertise just by listening to those around you. Soak it all up – and use it yourself!

3. Get your online profile sorted

You young ‘uns today have it sorted. When I went to university only a couple of rich kids had brick-sized mobile phones and I had yet to write my first electronic mail. But these days, we’re all using Facebook and Twitter on our smartphones and what-not.

Make sure you’re on LinkedIn and consider setting up your own blog or online CV to showcase your skills.

4. Check you’re Google-able

Ok, Google-able *perhaps* isn’t a real word, but it’s certainly one I use a lot. Following on from the last point, do a quick Google check of yourself. Make sure there’s no public Facebook photos of you mooning or passed out with regurgitated kebab all over your shirt.

Employers will Google you to find out what you’re been up to so make sure there’s no nasty surprises lurking out there in cyberspace.

5. Ignore the news

Forget about the doom and gloom out there telling you how hard it is to get a job. There was a recession when I finished my A-levels as well – it’s always tough for school-leavers and graduates.

BUT these are good times, people.  All you need is your laptop and an internet connection and you can do anything. Start a business, start freelancing – just go for it!

Carolyn Hughes is a freelance copywriter, PR consultant and journalist based in Manchester. 

Categories Copywriting, Marketing, PR
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