Curating Your Own Copy Inspo Community

No man is an island. Especially not if he’s a copywriter.

If you’re in a job, don’t let it be your only source of truth for everything. Look outside, there’s a lot happening on the Internet that can help you with your job.

You NEED your own sources of inspiration.

I hate to sound like that old person who says “back in my day…” but truly, back in my day the Internet was too new and useful information was especially nascent in India. I used to look at magazines like Elle and Vogue for creative inspiration (physical copies). And we used to have the old “black book of ads” that was compulsory reading for us young ones. You had to read this in the office, it was chained (by our admin’s eyes) to a table so nobody could steal it. And it would be locked up in his cupboard by the end of the day.

But that isn’t the case today.

Today there are SO many platforms you can log on to. So many more books (outside of Ogilvy on Advertising, Bill Bernback’s Book or Hegarty on Advertising). Don’t get me wrong, these books are amazing. I own them all and I love skimming through pages of beautiful ads.

But, I also like to live in the today.

Where things are different, the world is different from the one these bigwigs lived in and hence our inspiration must also be people who are making it work today.

Copywriting has evolved as a craft and so has its demand. There’s so much more we need to know and do in order to survive as writers. Jobs yes. But what are the independents doing to be successful in this ever-demanding world?

Here are a couple of contemporary copywriters you need to know and follow:

1. Eddie Shleyner: conversion copywriter and founder of Very Good Copy – book, website and newsletter.

   Eddie’s book taught me to always have multiple sources of inspiration. Always.

2. Dan Nelken: copywriter and creative coach. Author of A Self-Help Guide for Copywriters.

Dan’s book literally got me out of a slump. It has quick and simple tactics that you can apply while writing that’ll get those wheels turning again, inside your head.

Writers but not copywriters I follow on Substack for perspective:

1. Eve Arnold: follow her newsletter Part-Time Creator Club

2. Tim Denning: follow his newsletter Unfiltered by Tim Denning

3. Ayodeji: follow his newsletter Monetize your mind

Each of these newsletters have shone a light on writers’ reality in a different way, for me. Each of these have helped me think differently about “work”. Give them a follow on Medium or Substack and explore more writers that speak to you.

And if there are any interesting writers you follow, let me know and I’ll check them out too.

Lastly, read up as much as you can about the craft itself. Information is currency, in this world. The more you know, the richer your information pool to dip into when you’re actually writing.