Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Elena Connolly, Founder of 23 Wise Words, located in London, United Kingdom.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I write (and teach others how to write) psychology-backed words for their website, emails, landing pages, and sales copy. I use a magic mega mix of consumer psychology, brand insights, and proven persuasion principles to write copy that's so packed with strategy it's about to burst for coaches, including life, business health, and even a few hypnotherapists.
Tell us about yourself
Let's travel back to circa 2002. I was picking my university degree and landed on Psychology and PR. PR because I like to write. Psychology because I like to understand what makes people tick. Job done. Cue worried whispers from well-meaning family and friends, "what is she going to do with a combination of PR and Psychology"?
About 10 years later, I had the lightbulb moment - copywriting 💡 The ultimate combination of writing words and influencing human behaviour. So, here I am. A copywriter. Fascinated by the way words work to evoke emotion and compel the reader to act.
I understand the persuasion principles and sales psychology that goes into writing high-converting copy. Not a lot of copywriters do. I worked happily writing copy for service-business owners who needed more conversions from their websites for around 5 years. Until one day, I realised there was a bigger problem to solve. Business owners' hate' writing. They are 'so bad' at writing, 'writing takes aaaagges.' Yet, as the world turns more and more digital, they need to write.
I had already gravitated to sharing my copywriting knowledge on Instagram and Youtube, so I decided to take it a step further. To teach new business owners a skill that would give them value for life - the basics of writing good sales copy. So in 2020, I launched the 'Website Words Academy,' where I teach service-based business owners how to write their website words. I plan to expand this to a full copywriting coaching program for coaches and marketers who want to learn the skill to pass on to their clients in the coming months.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
When I first started my business, I remember the pride of when my first blog was published - what! Anyone could come across and read something I've written online! And when I pushed myself to do something REALLY uncomfortable and hold a copywriting workshop for 30 members of the public (back when events were in person).
But my biggest achievement and the most fulfilling project I have taken on to date has been creating and launching my course. I did everything, from scripts to recording and editing videos, working out the tech and the marketing, and as I expand into more offerings, it still challenges, fulfills, and pushes me out of my comfort zone! But I'm a firm believer in the little daily actions that add up to big wins and accomplishments. I just needed to get better at celebrating them.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
All the 'shoulds.' I 'should' be trying this. Or I 'should' be doing that. I 'should' be working, not eating lunch. Or I 'should' be earning money, not enjoying a family holiday. It's hard not to have productivity guilt because what you can achieve really is entirely in your hands.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- A networking group. I really believe collaborations are the fastest way to grow and make the connections you need to grow.
- An email platform. I wish I had focused on building an email list earlier. As a digital business, so many hinges on the power of your community, and email is STILL the best way to speak to them.
- Access to my course! I truly believe that learning some copywriting skills can give business owners a competitive advantage. If you can write words that connect and sell to your audience in a human way, growth is inevitable.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.23wisewords.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/23wisewords
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/23wisewords/
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/41P8Epk
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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