Member Moment — Laura Robinson
Laura is a copywriter based in Melbourne’s west with a sweet spot for tourism and education. She works with clients (and as a subcontractor for agencies) under her Compass Copywriting brand. In this interview, we chat to Laura about how she became a copywriter, the best and worst parts of freelancing, and why she cranks up the speed when she (occasionally) listens to podcasts.
To kick things off, tell us a bit about your background and how you ended up working for yourself?
It's been a windy road that's led me to this point. I have always loved tourism and wanted to travel so I studied a BBus/Tourism Management and promptly found myself overqualified for most jobs I applied for in the tourism industry.
I went on to work in freight forwarding and project co-ordination before heading back to uni to complete a Masters in Teaching. After a few years in the classroom in Australia, I decided to head to the UK and this is where my travel blog Passport Collective was born.
A return home, two young kids and covid made travel blogging a challenge, so in mid 2021, with a small babe in arms, I decided to put all of my juicy SEO, social media and writing skills into action for others.
Compass Copywriting opened for business in earnest in October 2021 and has kept me busy ever since! It allows me the freedom to spend more time with my children and to utilise all of the training and skills I've picked up over the years without the need for constant travel and upkeep of a blog.
Was there a defining moment when you knew it was time to make the leap and do your own thing?
Working in a school is demanding. Working in a school with two young children in a pandemic - overwhelming! I'm not one to sit still, so maternity leave on its own was never going to sustain me for long. Copywriting has allowed me to work from home, give my eldest son the richness of a gorgeous sessional kindergarten program and my youngest son the extra attention of attending family day care, rather than going to a large centre.
What was your biggest fear before you started working for yourself?
I'm terrible at adding limiters to my thinking. To begin with, it didn't matter if I 'just' made a little bit of extra money (this was pre interest rate rises - ha!) or I would take on easy jobs so I wouldn't fail. I'm putting that aside this year and stretching myself to complete bigger and more complex jobs. The extra headspace of having a child in prep and 3 days of daycare a week helps too!
What advice would you give to others to help them overcome fear and make the leap to self employment?
Do what you can as you can and lean on others for support.
“Community makes working alone never feel lonely... it’s nice to have small biz and work related chats with those who get it!”
What is the best and worst part of working for yourself?
I'm pretty bad at turning the computer off at night. I need to train my brain that enough is enough!
The best part? I'm home with my children. I can pick my son up from school and go to assembly and not be utterly worn out when they get home. Life is peaceful and not spent racing from here to there every day.
Let's talk morning routines, what do you do to set your day up for success?
Send off the kids. Eat some brekky quietly. Set up my desk and then focus until my tummy rumbles.
Name three qualities you need to succeed as a freelancer.
Interpersonal skills to build a good network
Marketing skills to build your brand and presence
Good timekeeping so you're profitable.
What habit(s) or tools help you to be your most focused self?
I'm pretty internally focused. I find short pomodoros and other methods distracting. Once I'm set up and started I'm pretty much in the zone! When it comes to Cool Wow, I like the 50 minute sessions as it makes me have a break! I can get lost down the rabbit hole otherwise so it's nice to have that social contact and come up for air.
What role has community played in your success as a freelancer?
Community makes working alone never feel lonely. I also have my husband working from home so I'm not completely alone, but it's nice to have small biz and work related chats with those who get it!
Do you have any stand out books, podcasts or spaces that are inspiring you in business right now?
I tend to do courses rather than listen to podcasts. If I ever have to listen to spoken word, you can guarantee it'll be at 1.5-1.75 speed as I find it frustrating to have to wait to hear informational aurally that I could read in a fraction of the time it takes to listen to it.
Finally, tell us a little about your business and where people can find you?
Tucked away on a sleepy coastal street in Melbourne's west, you'll find me helping small business owners (and other freelancers) create content, write copy and strategise their social media. You can find me online at compasscopywriting.com and on Instagram @compasscopywriting or LinkedIn.
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View Laura’s profile on Cool Wow Collective here >
Visit compasscopywriting.com to explore more of Laura’s work.