Today we’d like to introduce you to Liza Fewell.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
A wise friend once told me, “Life is like a labyrinth; you may think you are going on a side quest to nowhere, but really, you are always going towards your goal. Every path you take has something for you to learn, and you are exactly where you are supposed to be at any given time.”
She gave me that advice when I stopped everything to homeschool my children in 2014. Her words of wisdom helped me realize that all of my previous life and work experiences had prepared me for that exact moment. I find that it’s true again today—as a newly minted freelance copywriter and owner of Hand-In-Hand Copy.
This current phase of my labyrinth started in the summer of 2021 when my job and my health began to fall apart simultaneously. I was teaching English as a Second Language online for a Chinese company when their government suddenly changed its regulations and started forcing out its American tutors. This effectively shut down China’s foreign tutoring industry and put thousands of teachers like me out of work.
At the same time, my health had deteriorated to the point of disrupting my life and my ability to teach. I have achalasia, a rare neurodegenerative disorder of the esophagus that causes it to stop functioning. People with achalasia find it painfully difficult to swallow, and some (like me) get agonizing muscle spasms around the esophagus and upper torso.
The severe muscle spasms that I got were debilitating because they would flare up unpredictably and last for hours. The only way to stop them was to take medication that sedated me. So, my volatile health meant that I would need another stay-at-home job, but one that would be more flexible and less stressful.
In my search for this unicorn job, I came across an Instagram ad for Filthy Rich Writer’s copywriting course. I was instantly intrigued by the idea of using my love of writing to help people and build a business on my own terms.
So, on my 45th birthday, just two months before my online ESL job ended, my parents gifted me FRW’s Comprehensive Copywriting Course. I dove right in and soaked it up like a sponge. Each day was a revelation that every path I’d taken through my labyrinth had prepared me for this career. My background in psychology, education, and art all came together, united by my love of writing and helping people.
I completed the course in November 2021, created a website, and officially launched Hand-In-Hand Copy in December. To jump-start my business, I joined the North Gwinnett Business Connections networking group in January, and the rest, as they say, is history!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Yes, and no. It’s been smooth in the sense that I started getting clients from the networking group right away. But as a new copywriter, I saw myself as an intern and only felt comfortable taking on small jobs to grow my skills. I drastically undervalued myself and undercut my business.
Additionally, the terrible muscle spasms that pushed me to create my own business in the first place interfered with my ability to grow it. I did everything I could to mitigate symptoms through medications, supplements, and lifestyle changes, but it was not enough. Achalasia is a degenerative disease, and my health was getting worse by the day.
The unpredictability of my muscle spasms forced me to turn down networking events and walk away from new opportunities. Midway through my first year of business, it became obvious that I would have to pursue esophageal surgery in order to have a successful business and a more peaceful life.
To do that, I would first need to face my fears and undergo manometry—something I’d been avoiding for two years. I had a botched manometry in May 2020 that left me with medical PTSD, so I did not want to do it again. But, without this diagnostic test, I could not get surgery. Thankfully, my achalasia support group directed me toward several excellent doctors in Atlanta who could treat me.
Dr. Patrick Waring’s amazing nurse helped me complete a successful manometry in March 2022. He gave me the official diagnosis of Achalsia Type II – Intermediate and recommended POEM surgery. The wonderful Dr. Aryaie of the BMI Institute operated on me in September 2022, and I healed beautifully over the next few months. Now, I am nearly symptom-free and ready to take on the world!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Hand-In-Hand Copy?
As a freelance copywriter, I provide the text (copy) for business marketing materials. This includes both print and digital assets such as sales landing pages, email funnels, brochures, postcards, social media ads, etc.
Potential clients should know that I am trained in every form of copywriting, but my favorite is content marketing because it combines copy and content. I like that it’s designed to engage an audience, give them something of value, and gently entice them to take an action. I enjoy this type of writing because I get to delve deep into the minds of business owners and their clients so that I can write authentically on their behalf.
[KNOWN FOR]
I’m known for my comprehensive questionnaires that help me understand the business owner, their vision, and their clients. This helps me develop a targeted messaging strategy that connects them to their clients. I specialize in growing businesses with words.
[SETS YOU APART? ]
My unique background and strong desire to help businesses grow through meaningful connections set me apart from other copywriters.
I have always enjoyed listening to and helping others, so it’s no surprise that I pursued a psychology degree from Agnes Scott College (go, Scotties!). But that degree was merely a stepping stone into other paths in my life. My labyrinth took me through roles as an administrator, artist, business owner, mother, and educator.
Those experiences helped me develop the necessary skills for copywriting, such as empathetic listening, research, writing, editing, communication, and design. So it turns out those adventures were not side quests after all—they were preparation for becoming a well-rounded copywriter.
[BRAND]
Honestly, I am mostly just proud of myself for pivoting, learning new skills, and launching a business while in the middle of a health crisis. I have a long way to go to make my brand what I want it to be, but I’m ready for that challenge now.
[OFFERINGS/SERVICES]
I offer a boutique copywriting service for entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, nonprofits, and small business owners. Because I am a one-woman show, I can give very personalized attention to each of my clients. As my business name suggests, I’ll work “hand-in-hand” with you to deliver clear, engaging, authentic content.
I also want people to know that if you decide to work with me, you will not be a nameless number on a roster of clients, and I won’t be a faceless company in your Rolodex—I’ll become your trusted business partner. I’m invested in your success, and I will do everything I can to make that happen.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Well, as a person who has launched two businesses, I guess I could be considered a risk-taker, but I’ve never thought of myself as one. I think of myself as someone who follows her heart only after much preparation. For those who are thinking about taking a risk, my advice is to do the same: weigh your options, research your choices, make a plan, and create a network of support.
That last piece of the puzzle is the most important one because you will need a specific group of people to help you in your new endeavor. They will be your guides and your cheerleaders. I would not have made it through the twists and turns of my labyrinth without my different tribes—they are the true keys to my success.
Pricing:
- Blogs: $150+
- Website Copy: $125+ per page
- Sales Landing Page: $600+
- Articles & Press Releases: $125+
- Other Content: price will vary
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lizafewellcopy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizafewellcopy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lizafewellcopy
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liza-fewell-copy/
