IAM492- Copywriter Works With Businesses to Refine Their Brand Strategy

Jill is a coffee-obsessed, oxford comma loving, word girl. She had absolutely no idea what she was doing when she started her business 5 years ago, but now (to toot her own horn) She's pretty good at this whole self-employed thing. She has made it her mission to help you figure it out too.

Jill gives new business owners the actionable knowledge and step-by-step guidance they need to sell their business online by connecting with their ideal clients through engaging copy.

• CEO Hack: (1) Scheduling time for work-out in my calendar (2) Turning off email notifications during non-work hours
• CEO Nugget: (1) Focus on yourself (2) Charge your worth (3) Don't let fear get on your way
• CEO Defined: Being a leader, influencing people and knowing when to delegate

Website: http://www.wordsbyjill.com/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/wordsbyjill
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/wordsbyjill
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/wordsbyjill
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wordsbyjill

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Transcription:

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Intro 0:02

Do you want to learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales, and grow your business from successful entrepreneurs, startups, and CEOs without listening to a long, long, long interview? If so, you've come to the right place. Gresham Harkless values your time and is ready to share with you precisely the information you're in search of. This is the I AM CEO Podcast.

Gresham Harkless 0:29

Hello, this is Gresh from the I AM CEO podcast. I have a very special guest on the show today of Jill Clark of Words by Jill. Jill, it's awesome to have you on the show.

Jill Clark 0:38

Thanks for having me.

Gresham Harkless 0:39

No problem. Super excited to have you on it. What I wanted to do was just read a little bit more about Jill so you can hear about all the awesome things that she's doing. Jill is a coffee-obsessed, oxford comma loving, word girl. She had absolutely no idea what she was doing when she started her business 5 years ago, but now she's pretty good at this whole self-employed thing. She has made it her mission to help you figure it out too.

Jill gives new business owners the actionable knowledge and step-by-step guidance they need to sell their business online by connecting with their ideal clients through engaging copy. Jill, are you ready to speak to the I AM CEO community?

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Jill Clark 1:10

I am ready. I'm so excited to be here.

Gresham Harkless 1:14

I'm so excited to have you on and I want to kick everything off with what I call your CEO story, hear more about your background, and what led you to get started with your business.

Jill Clark 1:21

Okay, so like it says in my bio, and I had no idea what I was doing five years ago, I started it out of necessity. Once I graduated from university, I moved to Quebec. If you are familiar with Canada, that's our French-speaking province. I knew very little French. So to figure it out, and I was an English grad, I found work writing online. Then one day, I just realized when I was building this dream life with no real focus, I was falling into it. I got focused, went back to school, studied marketing, and turned my freelancing gig into a full-time business and that's where I am.

Gresham Harkless 1:58

Nice, I definitely appreciate that. I think there are so many people who have started a business, I think we always want to have everything in the perfect order at the perfect time. I think that a lot of entrepreneurs, sometimes you just have a vision or have an idea of what you want to do, and you kind of jump in and you start doing it. I think there's much to be said about doing that because there's never a perfect time or perfect opportunity. A lot of times we have to kind of create that and build that ourselves.

Jill Clark 2:21

That's why now I try to make it though so other people have a little bit more of a perfect time, because it's a lot easier that way. I would have been where I am a lot quicker if I had that guidance, but it's okay, I'm helping other people. So they don't make all the same mistakes that I did.

Gresham Harkless 2:35

Exactly. Now you're able to kind of even see or identify those mistakes because you went through it in the way you didn't necessarily want to go through perfectly. At the same time, you're able to help somebody other people be able to do what it sounds like.

Jill Clark 2:47

Yeah, it's like I've been there and done that. Don't do it.

Gresham Harkless 2:51

Don't do what I do, even don't do what I did. I can definitely speak to that as well. Exactly. I wanted to drill down a little bit deeper. Can you tell us a little bit more about Words by Jill, tell me exactly like what you're doing to work with clients you have.

Jill Clark 3:05

Okay, so there are a few different parts of my business. But it all revolves around brand strategy, website copywriting, and content marketing. Then within that, it's either done for your services, which is probably the largest component, where I will do all the work for you and guide you through that, or the consulting and educational side of it. Like workshops and one-on-one consulting, and I'm currently developing a group program along those lines. That's where it's really helping the new businesses versus the more established ones that I work with kind of larger businesses in that. Oh, falling under those umbrellas.

Gresham Harkless 3:41

That makes perfect sense. I like that you have those kinds of different options, depending on what stage and what sizes you're talking about. Probably even like what level of service a lot of business owners need, because I think, and definitely correct me if I'm wrong, like I usually say like when you start your business, you probably have more time and you have money. Then as you start to establish your business, you start to get more clients, and you start to have more money and less time. Then you start to need people to be able to have and give you that more, I guess quality expertise and services that you that they'll need to kind of continue and grow even more.

Jill Clark 4:13

That's exactly what it is like they can start out coming to a workshop or getting an educational resource and then when they're ready to really refine and outsource suddenly would come to me to do it all for them.

Gresham Harkless 4:23

Nice. I appreciate that. Now and ask you and you might have already touched on this, but I want to ask you for what I call your secret sauce. It could be for you or your organization but what do you feel kind of sets you apart and makes you unique?

Jill Clark 4:35

Well, these questions were hard to think about when you gave them to me before so I think. Though it's my combination of skills I work hard for what I do, but I studied English first English literature. I learned a lot about stories how the world works and how people work. While I was studying, I worked in the service industry in restaurants and bars for like 10 years so I could see the stories playing out I'm in front of me. Then that's also just a hard job to do and then when I went back to school to study marketing, it kind of all fell together, where I really know about people and how they work. I know a lot about stories. Now when people come to me, they're not just getting the sales aspect of it's really dry, or salesy. They're getting creative storytelling techniques combined with sales and marketing. I like to think that's really special. It's kind of like tooting my own horn there, though. So it's weird. That's it?

Gresham Harkless 5:30

No, I appreciate that. You didn't just sound like you struggled with that at all, because I think that makes so much sense. As an English major as well, I understand how important stories are, but you're absolutely right, where it kind of seems like this skill that we probably developed in school, and that you have you it's come at the perfect time because I think so many people are craving to be able to know about these brands, you want to know the services, you want to know the products that you're buying, but you want to know the stories of why they started, what started their business, why they did, what they do, what their values are, and a lot of those things. I don't know if you find this, but I think it's a lot harder to be able to tell your own story. You sometimes can benefit tremendously from having somebody who has that skill and that expertise to be able to do that.

Jill Clark 6:14

Yes, exactly. Even writing my own stuff. I'm like, Can I hire a copywriter to outsource to a different copywriter, it's really hard to separate yourself, but I kind of take clients on that journey as well. Or we start with a really strong brand strategy. Even as a personal brand, separating yourself and your own story from the story you're going to share with your audience, makes it a little bit easier.

Gresham Harkless 6:37

Interesting. Can you say that one more time you said you separate the story from the individual from their brand strategy?

Jill Clark 6:43

Yeah, so a lot of major challenges that some of my clients have when they're a personal brand like me being branded as Words By Jill, and I am Jill. It's separating themselves. So they think that their story is, should be their business story. They don't realize that your business can be a separate entity from you, even if it's still you, and just a piece of you. We start with like a really strong brand strategy to pick and choose the pieces of your personal life that become your business brand.

Gresham Harkless 7:11

That makes so much sense. I think that a lot of times, especially and I'm sure you probably find this too, as entrepreneurs and business owners, we live breathe, and sleep hard businesses, a lot of times, and it's hard to make that designation of that separation between the two. I love that you go through that with clients. Because I think a lot of times we don't feel like we don't understand like our business is a part of us are as an extension of us, so a lot of degrees. It's not everything that we do. It's sometimes the things that help support our brand and our messaging why we started our business, but it's not necessarily everything.

Jill Clark 7:43

Yeah, I like to say it's like the best parts of you, but only the parts that are relevant to make a sale.

Gresham Harkless 7:48

Absolutely no, that makes so much sense. I think that to go through that exercise and understand exactly what those things are sometimes a lot harder because you can talk about what you did when you were five years old. That's part of your story. But that may not necessarily align with who you are, or what you're trying to do for your business.

Jill Clark 8:04

Unless it's like you are doing something and you started it when you were five.

Gresham Harkless 8:09

Exactly. Or you work with kids, that might also help too. Now I want to switch gears a little bit and I want to ask you for what I call a CEO hack. This could be an app, book, or habit that you have. But what's something that makes you more effective and efficient?

Jill Clark 8:28

I've been practicing this thing for about a year now where I schedule my workouts like I do meetings. For me that was game-changing to my schedule, work-life balance, and all of those nice things that go along with it. As my business was growing, and I felt like I didn't have time for myself, once I put them in my calendar as a mandatory cannot cancel meeting and I would sign up for classes before the week even started, then I wouldn't skip them for client work. Then my quality of life was so much better, I was so much happier, and I was doing better work.

Now when I tell people that they're like, it's so simple, but they don't think to do it. I don't have enough time for myself, I don't have enough time to do this stuff, put it in your calendar, set it, and forget it. Then if you're like me and have an automation setup, clients can book themselves in meetings. This way they can't book in when I do my workouts. It's great for everyone and no one knows where I am at that hour.

Gresham Harkless 9:25

Yeah, that makes so much sense. It's so important to identify what those things are, that help you to be who you are and help you to be great at what it is that you do. A lot of times when you get busier, you get more clients and you get more people that are pulling at you and needing your services, the things that you do. You have to make sure you protect your time even more. It starts to grow more and more and more. To be able to kind of block out that time, they say just like a meeting I have with the client. This is just as important, if it is not more important I need to make sure I make that class.

Jill Clark 9:57

That's exactly it. Yeah. I found it Can I help so much? I know it's not business, but I feel like our personal lives taking care of our personal life. It really helps with business and that's why it's awesome.

Gresham Harkless 10:08

I would agree that my whole focus this year has been to I always say, put my oxygen mask on first because I think you get wrapped up in doing things for everybody. I think that definitely, there is a time and place for that. But you shouldn't necessarily put yourself on the back burner, you should make sure you're going to those classes, make sure you're meditating working out your drinking, whatever those things are, that help you to be the best version of you, because it allows you to be even better with clients.

Jill Clark 10:32

Exactly. Setting all sorts of boundaries like that kind of along the same lines, I turned off email notifications on my phone. There's no answering emails, outside of hours of 8 to 4 pm.

Gresham Harkless 10:46

Exactly.

Jill Clark 10:47

I was helpful too.

Gresham Harkless 10:48

So yeah, it makes so much sense, you got to make sure to protect that. That allows you to be even more efficient, and even better at everything that you're doing.

Jill Clark 10:56

Yeah. I think that part of being a boss is being efficient, knowing where you need to put your energy, and being careful with where you clear energy.

Gresham Harkless 11:04

Exactly. Especially as a business owner, a lot of times, it's like running a marathon. You have to make sure that you're ready to run that marathon and you understand that it's a long game, it's a long process. If you burn yourself out in the first mile, so to speak, then you're not gonna be any good for anybody.

Jill Clark 11:05

Exactly.

Gresham Harkless 11:05

Exactly. Now when it asks you for what I call a CEO nugget, this is a word of wisdom or a piece of advice. Or if you could happen to be a time machine, what would you tell your younger business self?

Jill Clark 11:30

Okay, so first of all, is the focus on yourself, like, I wish I learned to do this, schedule your workouts in your calendar years ago, it would have been a lot easier. Second would be charged your worth because good clients will pay good money for specialized skills, and there's no point in hanging out around the bottom feeders. Third, don't let fear get in the way. Because for both those, like, if you're not focusing on yourself, you might be scared that you have to put everything into your clients. Because when is the next project gonna come along you might be scared that if you raise your rates, they will say no to that when it does come along? So we're gonna move here, I was on yourself, know your worth.

Gresham Harkless 12:10

I love that and I love it, especially how obviously, we talked a lot about the first part. I love how those second two things or those second and third things are so in line because I think a lot of times, we are fearful. That's why we don't charge our worth because we are so afraid that we will lose that client or that client will say no, and then there won't be another client. I think also that you have to kind of understand that there you will attract who should work with you. You have to hold peace in that and understand that because when you sometimes even work with those bottom feeders, as you said, you will lose the opportunity to properly work with your ideal client because you'll be so spent on trying to please somebody who sometimes won't be pleased.

Jill Clark 12:53

I have noticed over the years that every time I lose what I think is a big great client, I raise my rates and find one that's 10 times better, exactly like a sister has you open up this space for them to come in.

Gresham Harkless 13:06

Yeah, it's crazy how that happens. Like I'm a big believer. If you want something to happen in your life, a lot of times you might have to create space in order for that to happen. Sometimes that means not working with this client, or working with that client, or stopping doing this service. A lot of times we have to go through that evolution in our business to understand what we should do and what we shouldn't do. It allows us to be more in alignment with what we want to do and what our mission is.

Jill Clark 13:30

Exactly.

Gresham Harkless 13:32

Nice. Now I want to ask you my absolute favorite question, which is the definition of what it means to be a CEO and we are hoping to have different quote-unquote CEOs on the show. So Jill, what does being a CEO mean to you?

Jill Clark 13:42

I think it means being a leader, not just in your business and your life. Especially as a personal brand. It's important that the impression that I'm giving off in my personal time as well as you never know who's watching. Leading, influencing people the right way being a role model for them. Also knowing when to delegate and like I said before, where to put your energy and wanting to give back to others as well. Trying to help people get to where you're at actually bringing them along with you. I don't think being a leader is just scrambling to the top and trying to be the best but actually guiding them to get there with you.

Gresham Harkless 14:23

Absolutely. I appreciate that perspective because I think so many times when you think of quote-unquote CEO or leader or president or entrepreneur, whatever those titles might be, I think you have an incredible opportunity to be of tremendous influence to not just yourself, but so many other people. If you have a vision of where you want yourself to be, if you're able to help other people, whether it be teammates, whether it be employees, contractors, or whatever that looks like, reach their goals and be successful as well. And that helps everybody to have a better life and better quality of everything that they're doing as well.

Jill Clark 14:56

Yeah, it's like it's not just about you. It's about everyone else. who's hanging out with you along for the ride?

Gresham Harkless 15:03

Exactly. Success is a team sport. It's always fun to win when you have friends along. Right? So exactly who does it. With that being said, I truly appreciate that definition. Appreciate your time even more. What I wanted to do is pass you the mic so to speak, just to see if there's anything additional, you can let our readers and listeners know. Then of course, how best they can get a hold of you and find out about all the awesome things we're working on.

Jill Clark 15:25

Yeah, I don't really think there's anything else. I'm always open to questions. So if anyone has any specific questions, feel free to reach out. My blog is full of great resources and I'm always answering the comments, responding to emails, and DMs. If you want a quick reply, am on Instagram the most. Right again, notifications are still turned off. *So don't get me to take

Gresham Harkless 15:48

Self-care is everything and we will make sure to have your information on your Instagram and everything in the show notes. Just for people who might be listening, what's your Instagram handle? What's your website?

Jill Clark 15:58

I am Words by Jill everywhere. So wordsbyjill.com and Words by Jill on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, everything I got it all.

Gresham Harkless 16:07

Got it all locked in. Exactly. We will have the links as well if you're listening to this in the show notes so that you can just click through and then contact and get in touch with Joe. Thank you so much again. I appreciate you and I hope you have a great rest today.

Outro 16:22

Thank you for listening to the I AM CEO Podcast powered by Blue 16 Media. Tune in next time and visit us at iamceo.co I AM CEO is not just a phrase, it's a community. Be sure to follow us on social media and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes Google Play and everywhere you listen to podcasts, SUBSCRIBE, and leave us a five-star rating grab CEO gear at www.ceogear.co. This has been the I AM CEO Podcast with Gresham Harkless. Thank you for listening.

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