Behind The Business: Copy by Clare
Hi my name is Clare Johnston, and I am the face behind CopybyClare which is my freelance content and copywriting business. I work remotely and converse with clients via email and zoom. I provide web content, articles,blog posts and press releases to a wide range of clientsboth locally and around the globe including an interior designer in California, an estate agent in Louisville USA and a wedding caterer in Australia. The content I provide helps to boost firm’s digital footprints.
I have always enjoyed researching and writing and wanted to incorporate this into my future career. I was given an opportunity to write for a Glasgow-based employment agency while studying a Journalism module during my undergraduate degree. I thoroughly enjoyed this role which involved me creating informative SEO-enhanced blog posts for the company around the topic of employment law. This position equipped me with the experience to broaden my writing niche and the confidence to reach out to other organisations. Since graduating with my master’s degree in Health History in 2019 alongside my day job I have written for a wide variety of companies and small businesses.
During the pandemic, I took the plunge to reach out to small businesses in the local community and assist them through an economically hard time. One of the businesses I worked with was Mobility Scotland based in Kirkintilloch and I provided them with a series of blog posts which aided their business profile online.
I enjoy organisation and I think that is a key skill when deciding that you want to start a business.
How was life in lockdown for you and how did you adapt during this time?
When my role working at the University of Strathclyde transitioned to working from home in March 2020, I discovered that I had more time than usual being locked down. I also noticed that there was a high demand for content writers as firms concentrated solely on advertising and selling online. Working from home for me was not too much of a shock from a writing perspective as I had always worked remotely while writing content for past businesses. If anything, lockdown opened employers’ eyes to understand that working from home could be as productive as going into an office environment which meant that more people were available. In the summer of 2020, I was involved in a notable content writing project for a Glasgow-based car leasing company which involved me writing a series of web pages on individual car models.
I split my week between working at my 9-5-day job as a content writer for a Scottish mental health charity and providing content for clients. I also write monthly blog articles and spotlight features for the restaurant dining app DishCult which involves me researching some of the top restaurants in Glasgow and writing appealing dining guides.
How do you structure work / life / play? Do you find it easy to switch off and if so how?
I tend to enjoy working more in the evenings, so I carry out a lot of work for my clients after the working day and sometimes even at the weekends. I find that pretty stationery helps to motivate me to stay organised and on top of deadlines and I also enjoy switching up my work environment. After being cooped up in the house all day writing I enjoy destressing by going for long walks in the park with my husband and dog and planning activities for weekends to get away from my laptop.
Please share books, blogs or instagram accounts that inspire you
One of my favourite Instagram accounts is @katespiers, presenter from Scottish Home of the Year for home and travel inspiration. I enjoy reading thriller novels and some of my favourites include “the couple next door” by Shari Lapena and “friend request” by Laura Marshall.
What is your favourite cake and why?
I’d probably say carrot cake is my favourite cake because of the icing and how well it goes with a coffee.
Find Copy by Clare at: instagram @copybyclare, searching my name Clare Johnston on LinkedIn and via email clarefrankie@hotmail.co.uk