I was once in your Birkenstocks.
I get many of the same questions about copy, content writing, book writing, and publishing.
I love ALL your smart questions. Here are some thoughtful answers.
When you’re unsure what steps to take next, this series of FAQs can help you.
Do you have a question I don’t cover here? Email me at hi@jacauelinefisch.com.
Ready to chat about your writing project? Book a free chat.
COPY & CONTENT WRITING FAQs
What’s the difference between copy and content?
A lot of business owners use the terms copy and content interchangeably. That’s okay! Some copywriters are snobby about it. They’re both sets of words.
Copy’s main focus is to sell a product or service — so your website, sales pages, product descriptions, ads, brochures.
Content is writing that educates, informs, inspires, or entertains readers without promoting something specific. It’s still a sales tool, though, just not as direct as copywriting. Content is your blog, social media, podcast, press release, white paper, and books.
I’ve never worked with a copy or content writer before — what do I need to know?
Before you reach out to hire a writer, I recommend doing some things first to help you get the best results. And if you don’t have time, a great writer can guide you through the process and speed it up.
1. Know your client’s voice. A great copywriter doesn’t merely sound like you but better. That’s what a ghostwriter is for. A great copywriter will write in your client or customer’s voice. While you might think a copywriter nailing YOUR voice is essential, it’s not your voice that connects and converts with your readers. It’s all about understanding your client's words.
2. Understand what your client wants and needs. And keep in mind that this is what THEY think they need. Document what your prospects say they want before they hire you. Describe how they describe their problem in their own words. What do they say they want before they know what they need? What do they think they need most?
3. How you want your voice to sound. What kind of voice and tone do your clients trust most and what feels most natural to you and your brand? Someone funny and lighthearted? Someone who uses f-bombs freely and tells it like it is? Your voice may depend on your industry and how much you can stand out.
4. What sets you apart? Why should prospects listen to you? What gives you the knowledge, street cred, experience, and chops to have the right to take their money? Know what makes you different.
How do I know if a copywriter is good?
Ask for samples of their work. You can get a sense of what it’s like to work with a copywriter based on their website copy, but you should still look at some samples. Often, a copywriter doesn’t publish samples directly on their website to protect client privacy. I happily share writing and editing samples after a consult call.
When reviewing samples, make sure you can sense the business owner’s voice in their copy. All the writing samples shouldn’t sound like the copywriter. They should be different.
Should I hire a copywriter who specializes in my industry?
This depends on your industry. Generally, I’d say hiring a copywriter who only writes for your industry is a bad idea. If a copywriter only writes for life coaches, their writing could all start to sound the same.
I work with a diverse group of clients — everything from tech, food, health, doctors, spiritual teachers, jewelry makers, wealth management firms, real estate agents, course makers, and digital project companies.
By seeing what works in one industry, I can apply the lessons across industries, bringing my clients a variety of options and styles that will work for them and help them stand out in their industries.
BOOK WRITING & PUBLISHING FAQs
I want to write a book. Where do I start?
My book writing experience is with memoir, nonfiction, and self-development.
There’s no one right way to start, so sure, you could dive right in — and I encourage you to do just that. It’s always better than overthinking.
I hosted a FREE workshop to help you plan your book writing adventure: The Intuitive Way to Plan a Book Writing Project
This will get you started. We all start somewhere! As a writing coach, I can support you in the process, staying on track, and guiding you through what to write and when.
You can also join us in the co-writing community, where you’ll get resources, templates, and accountability (we write together for 4+ hours each week). Click here to learn about the community.
You might also like these articles from me at The Intuitive Writing School:
The NaNoWriMo Alternative: How To Create a Writing Habit Without Burning Out
How to Finish NaNoWriMo (for Nonfiction and Business Writers)
“I’m Writing a Book” – What To Do Before Declaring Your Intention
Behind the Scenes: How My Self-Development Book Turned Into Memoir
I've written a book. What do I do now?
First, congratulations! I can’t tell you how many people say they want to write a book but never get started. Or, they start and fizzle out.
You did it! YAY you! So, what’s next?
The next step is hiring an editor. Publishing a book without an editor isn’t even an option for me. While you can certainly publish many blogs and websites without a professional’s help, make the investment in yourself with an editor. They’re gold!
I’ve worked with these editors personally and work with any of them in a heartbeat.
Kristen at The Blue Garrett did edits on Unfussy Life and wrote my bio and back cover copy. She formatted my books for all the places I’d sell them. She proofread Intuitive Writing and went above and beyond. She runs her projects like a project manager and is super organized.
Madeleine helped me plan Intuitive Writing with a Human Design approach and did developmental edits. She also wrote the back cover for Intuitive Writing, and I've hired her to do some back cover writing for my clients, too.
Stacey at The Book Doctor is In designed my cover and helped with the logistics of self-publishing. She really could be a one-stop shop for everything. She also does editing and formatting.
Depending on your genre, I have many other editors I can direct you to.
Once your book has been edited, you'll be ready to publish!
Should I self-publish my book or find a publisher?
It’s time to publish your book! YAY! Now, you get to wade through an often overwhelming amount of options and opinions.
There are three primary ways to publish your book: traditional, independent, and self.
There are pros and cons to every approach. I recommend learning about each and choosing what feels right to you.
For my books, Unfussy Life and Intuitive Writing, I went straight to self-publishing. I created a publishing company before publishing my second book (this is also an option for you) — Sovereign Owl Publishing. You might choose to publish with Sovereign Owl Publishing (hybrid) or create your own publishing company name (don’t worry, this doesn’t automatically mean you need to create a new business).
Articles from other experts on publishing:
Work 1:1 with Jacq
I’d love to hear about your writing or editing project.
I offer coaching, consulting, and training. Sometimes, I offer copywriting.
I can help you write your website, newsletter, blogs, sales pitches and proposals, stories of transformation, your book, and more.
Let’s chat about your project.