Is this how I should write my About page? I can't get it done!

Oooh, what a meta question! Me like.

I know, it's so hard to write about yourself — even when you help other people do it for a living. (I see you, Copywriter with the "cobbler's shoes" sitch!)

There's a lot of confusing, overwhelming advice out there about About pages. "It's not about you, it's about your customer!" Etc.

This About Page and Professional Mini-Bio Builder will help you chill and just write the dang thing. Great news: you might only need a paragraph!

(If The Copy Cure enrollment is open or you already have the program, that's the place to start. We include 4 different non-braggy frameworks to de-beastify the process.)

I was always a decent writer, so why does my copy suck a donkey dong?

HELLO. The mouth on you! Well, the most likely answer is that you, fun and swingin’ and sassy-spice as you are, stiffen up and put on your “businessperson” pants when you write. So your copy comes out all formal, dry, and unreadable. Zzzzzzzzzz. Don't worry, we'll make the sucking stop.  Getting your writing to loosen up is my specialty.  Stick around, and you'll find it happening by osmosis.

I want to be a copywriter, too! A rich one. Where should I start?

(I'll assume you're not the person who just asked "Why does my copy suck?")

Books and courses are great, and yes you should study the basics.  But the best learning comes from doing. Start figuring out what kind of copy you want to write. And then, try your hand at it so you have something to show.

For example, if you think you want to write web copy, try doing your own copy makeovers like the ones in this mini-course.

No one has to give you permission. Simply find web pages or bits of copy that you think could use improvement, and rewrite them. That'll give you a body of work you can hand potential clients or showcase in a blog post.

Why “Talking Shrimp"?

Pick a reason:

• First pet was a chatty crustacean.
• Hoping for a cross-promotion deal with Red Lobster. Or Beefsteak Charlie’s. (Shrimp shrimp shrimp shrimp shrimp!)
• In Greek mythology, the god of writing and creativity is Gambus, who has a shrimp body and human head. He feasts on nectar, ambrosia and plankton, and never shuts his pie hole.
• Bottom feeders say the darndest things!

No, really. What’s with the name?

OK, OK. As a tax strategy recommended by our accountant, I formed this company in 2009 with my husband, Steven Eckler. He's always been a restaurant guy, most recently the Director of Ops for Carissa's in East Hampton and the Il Buco group in NYC. He previously helmed the hospitality at Postrio in San Francisco, Spago Las Vegas, Eleven Madison Park, The Harrison, The Red Cat, and the collective workspace Neuehouse. We wanted a name that could apply to copywriting or food, but didn’t mean anything at all.

Later, though, I realized that “Talking Shrimp” is perfect for what I offer: copy that stands out. What stands out more than a shrimp that can talk?

How'd you meet your Copy Cure co-creator, Marie Forleo?

In hip hop class at Crunch. Was not an immediate love match.

Beeteedubs: I'm not "Marie Forleo's copywriter." Popular misconception. I'm her partner in The Copy Cure and collaborator on Marie TV, but she's a world-class copywriter in her own right, turning out her own absurdly high-converting sales pages, emails, all of it.

I'm afraid your judging my grammar mistakes. Are you?

Cringe. Just that one. The your/ you're thing. My grammar and spelling aren't always perfect. In fact, I believe in breaking those rules. But consciously. It's good to know what you're doing — and why.

Note: I wanted to make a t-shirt that said *you're* but discovered it already existed, as does anything you'll ever think you came up with yourself. Do a search before you announce your world-changing idea.

I'm lazy. What should I do?

Hey, me too! Though some argue that my disdain for doing what I'm told makes me a rebel, not lazy. Since I never did drugs, rode a Harley, or got a tattoo, rebel feels off. I stick with lazy. I aspire to a business model I call "couch-driven." As for you, hone your skill at writing — because it does the jobs you don't want to do, like selling, persuading, and wooing. Maybe even toilet cleaning. Also, try this lazy person's Power Pose. 

OK, I'm in! I want to be a Shrimper. Now what?

Have I not completely hit you over the head with my emails? I guess not, since they're digital. But if you love them enough to print them out (some people do), you can roll them up and hit me. Wait, that's how you show your love? You're a little twisted.

I think you were made to be a Shrimper. That's what you become the moment you subscribe. No hazing, promise.

Become a Shrimper