Captain Copy - Drew Bay

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in copy writing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Drew Bay, owner of Captain Copy, located in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I write marketing materials that make you more money. That's called "copywriting." Simply, I write the words that appear in ads, landing pages, video scripts, and any marketing materials that you want to attract leads and customers. I also offer copywriting critiques and advertising consulting to increase the odds that your ads end up profitable. I help many different businesses, though I have specialized in natural health companies of late. That includes nutritional supplement marketers and information publishers. But I've also worked with B2B clients, internet marketers, and more.

Tell us about yourself

Like most people, there was a time when I didn't know that "copywriting" had anything to do with the actual writing. That is until my Dad introduced me to it nearly 20 years ago. He had been researching how to market his own business better and stumbled on copywriting. So he shared some of the best books with me on copywriting and marketing. I devoured the information and kept it back of mind. I always knew I wanted to be in psychology or advertising, so combining those two specialties in one (which I do every day!) is something I'm eternally grateful for.

I earn my fees by generating sales for my clients, better than they could generate on their own. I'm not hired to write slogans and brand messages. I'm hired to produce leads, sales, or conversions that help measurably improve the client's bottom line. I live and die with numbers, even though those numbers come from the "soft side" of things understanding customer emotions, persuading with the written word, and creativity.

I'm motivated each day to improve my clients' marketing. And also to help the general public live happier, healthier lives because of it!

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Helping one of my clients grow from a 10-employee operation to nearly 100 in 4 years' time off the back of much of my copywriting and advertising ideas. Annual sales more than tripled in that time, too.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

That depends on what phase of your business you're working in. When you're first starting out, it's oftentimes finding clients who can help you stay afloat and let you improve your craft. Later on, when you start growing, it can turn into finding *better* clients who are longer-term fits and are more lucrative for you. Then when you've accomplished that, it's continuing to improve your service but also staying focused on what moves the needle most. Not getting distracted by:

Potential opportunities (if they aren't worthwhile).
New tech and people offering you shortcuts that don't exist.
Often yourself, too!

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Don't invest money you can't afford to lose. While everyone wants a sexy rag to riches story, the sexiest thing you can do is have food and shelter each day. Don't gamble on something that's unproven, even if you're confident. It's not worth going into debt if you can't bail yourself out fairly quickly.
Ensure you're serving an existing market that actually wants what you offer. It's easy to fall in love with your product or service, but if there isn't an existing market for your wares, you're behind the 8-ball before you've even started. That doesn't mean you offer something everyone else does just because, but it does mean you should service an existing market. (Like I did, by offering copywriting services to businesses that I knew already appreciated and used copywriters. And yes, in the beginning, I went after clients who didn't appreciate them, and I may as well have been slamming my head against a wall.)
Go out of your way to hire or become a strong marketer yourself. Sure, I'm biased, but if you don't have a compelling marketer on your side, you're toast. With how competitive it is online (and offline) these days, plus Amazon marketing their own products too, it's ruthlessly hard to get ahead unless you're a persuasive marketer. That means investing in a copywriter or learning how to become a strong copywriter. Invest in media buyers, strategists, and designers who know how to help businesses sell their products or service. Don't try to do it all yourself. If you can't convince your prospects to choose you over your competitors, you won't have a business. Oh, and it's invaluable to work with a mentor who's gone through what you have and succeeded!

Good luck in growing your business! And if you need help ensuring your own copy is going to be strong enough out of the gate, I can provide an expert analysis that will save you time, money, and headache. Here's how:
I'll review your copy, word by word, and provide insight on what could be stronger, what's missing, and suggestions that will help increase response. It's all part of my trademark Copywriting Audit. Email me to ask if your project is a good fit for an Audit: drew@captaincopywriting.ca All the best.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://captaincopywriting.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaptainCopy/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaptainCopy
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewbaymarketingspecialist/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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