CopyCon 2019: incredibles, insatiables and an inflatable.
Good conferences are essential fuel for a small business. Well run, they're delicious. CopyCon 2019 was a banquet.
The gifted and talented brainchild of the incredible, insatiable and immensely knowledgeable copywriting community creator, Kate Toon, CopyCon is held annually (although in hiatus in current form in 2020). It's a weekend of talks, information, entertainment, masterclasses, fascinating conversation and networking over everything copy and content, marinated in particularly tasty 6ft6 wine.
As a web developer whose primary income doesn't come from writing, I attended the Saturday sessions but, sadly, not the Sunday masterclasses. Saturday, however, was the perfect mix of challenge and provocation, reminder and reward.
- Flying Solo's Robert Gerrish armed me with a better understanding of imposter syndrome, its 5 leering avatars and how to disarm them with an audience participation overview of Valerie Young's 'The Secret thoughts of successful women'.
- The befeathered brand marketing guru, Suzanne Chadwick reminded me to build business boldly in the revolution of the heart - the people centred descendant of the tech revolution - so people who want to work with me will find me.
- Ryan Wallman showed the power in honesty and simplicity of the best taglines and in the advice that a tagline should never read like you're selling treatment for erectile dysfunction.
- Sophia Arthur's case study for how she took her business from the corner of her lounge to a dedicated office space, charges higher and stresses far less was an inspiration, as was her 'File of Awesomeness'
- Louder Online's Aaron Agius energised the room with SEO bingo, in which I happily scored highly, was reminded that links, links, LINKS is the key to strong SEO and that next conference I should sit next to someone called 'Rob'.
- Kate Toon managed to both rock a sparkle dress and remind me that creating consistent revenue and delivering well to clients we love is the antidote to the race to the bottom.
And always have resilience.
And F*** You money. - Bernadette Schwerdt gave a simple formula for copy that delivers
- Amanda Van Elderen reminded that a strong brief is the key to good work and doesn't need to be taken under exam conditions
- Liz Green won my heart with her story of a rich and diverse life that underpins her expert copywriting
- David Bell and Kate Toon chatted agency work and made a call for restocking the creative pantry with life, art, culture and joy.
- Nerissa, Donna and Rachel persuaded us on the ease and efficiency of niching
- Rob Marsh didn't persuade me with the American way of persuasion, but I think that even Barack Obama wouldn't have piqued my interest so late in the day and so gelatinous was my brain.
TAKEAWAYS:
A conference is only as good as the action it inspires, so here are my top 3 action points:
- Read 'The Secret Thoughs of Successful Women'
- Deepen implementation of Mike Mickalowicz' 'Profit First'
- When the May the 4th after party calls for a costume, be bold enough to be the inflatable Jabba the Hutt.
For more information, read our blog about becoming a content writer, which lists Kate's community and resources.
I highly recommend the Jabba the Hutt costume. I’m actually really, really shy and it was a brilliant ice breaker. I spoke to loads of people I wouldn’t have done so otherwise without it – I’d have been hiding in the corner with the people I already knew. So don’t think you have to me this mega confident person to do it!
Angela Denly, I think you are officially my spirit animal – or perhaps inflatable Jabba is, for us both!