Happy New Year everybody!

Wow! What a whirlwind end to 2010. It was more than a relief to take some time to relax and enjoy family and friends over the Christmas period. Santa left some wonderul gifts for us under the tree, and we have been working overtime to eat up all of the leftover ham.

And now it is time to look ahead to the sparkling new year ahead. I can't wait to get stuck into my first round of Letterbug projects, commencing Monday 1oth January.

Whenever it is that you decide to leap back into 'business as usual' for 2011, consider the copywriting you undertook last year.

• Did the task of producing a monthly newsletter feel like a constant weight around your neck?
• Did your press releases fail to get the results you were hoping for?
• Was blogging a never-ending item on your to-do list?
• Did your business writing simply take up too much of your valuable time?

If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, perhaps it is time to consider getting more help.
Perhaps you could do with a little bit more Letterbug in your life!
Start the business year off with a positive step forward - contact me about your copywriting needs for 2011. Don't be shy!
I look forward to all of the wonderful writing journeys that I know you all have in store for me in 2011. Let's get cracking!
Jen x

The Letterbug's Picnic

It is busy, busy, busy in The Letterbug's office at the moment. And just like the builder whose house is the last to get finished, my blog is the last to get written when I am booked up with copywriting projects.

But that's okay, because when I need a little pick-me-up I find something like this to share. I remember this clip from my childhood, and now I like to exchange "Ladybug" for "Letterbug" so that the song is all about me!!

If you've ever wondered what The Letterbug Christmas party might look like this year, perhaps it will be something like this. Happy Monday everyone!

Jen x

Finding an angle for your promotion

For as far as I can remember, Old Spice was a stinky old man's aftershave. That was until I stumbled across their latest series of advertisements earlier this year. Here is the latest instalment.

I don't know about you, but I'm not thinking about stinky old men's aftershave after watching that!

It just goes to show the impact that finding a new angle for your product can have on its success. Be creative. Think beyond the obvious. Accept no limitations!!

The people at Old Spice clearly did. Hee hee!

Jen x

A very special friend of mine has a new baby. No, not the kind that kind of baby! This baby is a bright shiny new business that she has been working hard to create over recent months.

And it is awesome!

P for Printables is a website that sells beautiful, printable pictures that you can download, stick into a frame and hang on your wall.

Or you could use the picture for a birthday invitation.
Or wrapping paper.
Or to make a card.
Or you could laminate it and use it as a kid's placemat. (My Hatchlings just luuurve their personalised placemats. And when they get a bit 'tired' we just make new placemats with a different theme!)

The possibilities are endless for these gorgeous printables, and I just know that P for Printables is destined for big things.

Congratulations Prue!

Jen x

Are you a Mumpreneur?

I wrote the following post back in August 2009, and given my recent nomination for the 2010 Ausmumpreneur Awards (Best Blog category) I thought it was worth reposting - just in case you missed it the first time. If you are a fan of The Letterbug maybe you'd like to vote for me too! I mean, if you're not busy or anything - you know, it might be cool. I never won that many prizes as a wee thing... Now is my chance to make up for that. It's no big deal. Really. Okay? But just vote so I can pretend not to care for a bit longer!! UPDATE: No need to vote!! An encouraging message is always welcome by way of a blog comment though (hint hint).

I love working with mumpreneurs - love it! Why? Because I get it, I know where mumpreneurs are at. I am right there with them, juggling two pre-school boys, a husband, job, laundry pile and so on.

I cannot overstate the importance of connecting with the people we choose to work with in business. As a copywriter, this connection enables me to truly collaborate with my clients on their copy projects. Our connection means I can't help but keep working until we are both deliriously happy with the final product.

Being a mum of two little people it seems that the connection with other mums in business is almost automatic, instinctive perhaps.

It takes effort, stamina, commitment and vision to be a mumpreneur, and if that is you right now I salute you. You go girl!

Now please excuse me while I go and extract the lego blocks I just watched Hatchling No.2 post into our sub-woofer speaker!

Jen x

The Letterbug in the Press

If there's one thing I love doing, it is helping other women succeed in business. Hooray for the Mumpreneurs of the world!!

As you can imagine, I was thrilled to be interviewed by our local newspaper (The Manningham Leader) last week about the Manningham Women's Business Network. As a member of this network I get to meet a wonderful group of local businesswomen every month. We take a couple of hours to network over coffee, share our insights and expertise, and learn from a variety of guest speakers.

I have to admit, the offer of a couple of kid-free hours at the start of every month is a pretty big draw card too!

I've agonised for a couple of days over whether to draw attention to The Letterbug's first appearance in The Leader. Dot and I are not ones to brag - really. This morning I put on my brave trousers and decided to go for it - so here's the article (and photo) in all its glory:



To find the full newspaper, click here.

FYI, my hair didn't look nearly so messy when I left home that morning, and the coffee on the table in front of me was SPECTACULAR!!

Jen x

The Letterbug and The Butterfly Ball

Yesterday I fulfilled a childhood dream. It sounds like a grand statement, but as grand as it sounds, it is absolutely true!

Nothing filled my preschool heart with joy more than catching the following clip every now and then in between Sesame Street and Playschool on ABC television. For anyone who was a young whipper snapper back in the late 70's and early 80's, I hope you enjoy reliving the magic of The Butterfly Ball!!

There are so many parts of this clip that I loved as a child (and still love now). The frogs shiny black eyes, the badger (dressed as a stork) marching with dead-straight stilt legs, and the fireflies dancing at the very end are just a few highlights for me.

I know it's drawing a long bow, but I figured I could get away with posting The Butterfly Ball here - me being The Letterbug and all. I think I've just found my Letterbug theme song...

Did you love The Butterfly Ball too? What is your favourite part? Leave a comment below and tell me all about it. Excuse me, I've got to go and watch it again - man that frog could sing!!

Jen x

PS: All you need is love and understanding, ring the bell and let the people know!

Special Delivery: Love Paper Scissors

When a large parcel arrives on my doorstep it is no ordinary day. So when an especially large parcel arrived last week with my name on it I was VERY excited.

I leapt to my feet when the doorbell rang, threw open the door, gave the postman a wave and a cheesy grin, then slipped inside to investigate. With my trusty scissors I carefully began extracting the contents of this parcel from its packaging...

And here's what I found:

Something VERY beautiful from Chelsie at Love Paper Scissors, with a sweet sweet card to go with it.

I sat and admired her work for a loooong time, before deciding that the only place for this was my bedroom wall. So that is where I put it!

Twenty five butterflies made from Japanese chiyogami paper, hand cut and arranged in this frame to make "The Collector - Butterflies".

My bedroom has never felt more complete - thanks Chelsie!

Jen x

PS: For more information about Love Paper Scissors, and 'Bug Art' by Chelsie Sharp, click here.

New to The Letterbug office

I don't know his name, or where he came from, but I have a new little buddy here in The Letterbug office...

I'm not sure how much bugs talk to one another, but it seems that word must be getting around...

The Letterbug: the thinking bug's workplace of choice!

Jen x

Ho! Ho! Ho!

I would like to wish all of the friends, clients and supporters of The Letterbug a very merry Christmas. What a wonderful year The Letterbug has enjoyed in 2009!

It's easy to get caught up in life and forget all of the things we can be thankful for, but Christmas often provides us the space we need for some reflection. I know I have been blessed by the opportunity write for so many amazing people this year, and help them create a buzz around their businesses. I look forward to doing so much more in 2010!

I will be taking a short break over Christmas to spend time with friends and family (and Dot of course!), but will be back and raring to go from Monday 11th January, 2010.

Wishing you a Christmas filled with love, peace and happiness.

Jen x

5 things this copywriter won't do...

Its been a while since I provided an overview of what The Letterbug can do, so if you'd like to know more click here.

I also want to tell you about what The Letterbug will NOT do. Sometimes you just have to draw the line, you know? Its not so much a matter of pride as an unrelenting desire to do my best work for clients (ie. you). Oh, and if you're looking for a copywriter, this list might assist with the process!

1. I won't begin writing for you without a brief. Nope, sorry - no way. Now that doesn't mean you need to complete a questionnaire of epic proportions (unless you're into that kind of thing - I'm not), but a chat and a short briefing document provides an insight into your ideas and objectives for the project. Without a creative brief, how can a copywriter understand what you are trying to achieve?


2. I won't be silent throughout the project, relying solely on absurdly long questionnaires as a substitute for talking things through. Hey, as the baby of my family - talking is almost as important to me as breathing. What can I say, I am a communicator!


3. I won't do it my way - flexibility is everything. If your deadline is 7 days, then its 7 days. If you like email more than the phone - no problem! Inflexibility often amounts to a lack of empathy, which will limit a copywriter's connection with you and your target audience.


4. I won't go AWOL. Its all about communication people! Your copywriter should be easy to reach and attentive to your emails and voicemails, responding promptly. Settling for anything less can lead you down the path of serious frustration.


5. I won't work for you if I fail the ultimate test. Could you imagine hanging out with your copywriter over a beer/chardonnay/cosmopolitan/decaf soy latte?

So there you have it - 5 things The Letterbug won't do.

Collaboration is the key to successful marketing communications. Interaction between you and the copywriter should feel easy, with the writer asking relevant questions and taking care to understand your vision for the project. If you don't connect with one another, this could be tricky.

If you're considering a writer who WILL do any of the five things I have discussed, it might be best continue your search a little longer. You owe it to yourself. Finding the right copywriter will make the world of difference to your project. It will be the start of a great relationship and a sure fire way of getting a result you're happy with.

Jen x

Are you a Mumpreneur?

I love working with mumpreneurs - love it! Why? Because I get it, I know where mumpreneurs are at. I am right there with them, juggling two pre-school boys, a husband, job, laundry pile and so on.

I cannot overstate the importance of connecting with the people we choose to work with in business. As a copywriter, this connection enables me to truly collaborate with my clients on their copy projects. Our connection means I can't help but keep working until we are both deliriously happy with the final product.

Being a mum of two little people it seems that the connection with other mums in business is almost automatic, instinctive perhaps.

It takes effort, stamina, commitment and vision to be a mumpreneur, and if that is you right now I salute you. You go girl!

Now please excuse me while I go and extract the lego blocks I just watched Hatchling No.2 post into our sub-woofer speaker!

Jen x

Passion, man - yeah!

Last night I was lucky enough to be invited to a local business women's network, where I met a wonderful bunch of local businesswomen, and listened to an interesting presentation by their guest speaker, Charles Kovess.

Charles spoke about finding your passion - he outlined why it is important, how it can change our lives, ways to reveal your passion. He also shared some funny 'by the ways', which made the session fun.

I like listening to motivational speakers. There is always something to take from what they have to say - even if you don't buy into the whole lot. The running theme throughout Charles' work is 'passion', and it is true that life really does shift to another level when we're passionate about something.

Last night Charles raffled off a place at his one day Passion for Work and Life program (normally $795), which sadly I didn't win - booo!!

Nevertheless, today I will be approaching things with "passion, man" - look out!

Jen x