Marketing Monday: What Do Copywriters Even Do, Part 2

This infographic was shared with me on Twitter last week (thanks, Leah!), and I love it.

A while back I talked about what copywriters actually do. Today I'm talking about it again! This infographic captures so well A) how and why I'm not Peggy Olson, 2) that I don't do anything with copyrighting, and D) why my business is more than just words.

Some favorite highlights include jaw-dropping stats on why content is important, the importance of data, and how digital copywriters are both left-brained and right-brained thinkers.

Image from the inforgraphic, via expresswriters.com.

Image from the inforgraphic, via expresswriters.com.

Copywriters are also often their own editors, and thus it is my obligation to warn you of a couple of typos in this infographic. We all have our flaws, though.

Friday Find: A Lesson We Could All Use

This morning a discussion on Facebook reminded me of one of my favorite pieces of writing. A friend of mine was talking about her 13-year-old son, who has cerebral palsy, and the wearable walkaide that he uses. She was talking about the stares and comments he got on a recent outing and the discussion she had with him around his options for handling that.

Specifically, she told him (shared with permission) "You don't owe anyone an explanation about anything. Your body is yours so you can choose to ignore them. BUT, here's the thing- people are naturally curious about things that are different. So you have an opportunity to help change the way people interact with other people who have walkaides or have CP. You can choose to be an ambassador. Usually that's the person from one country who works to share customs and whatnot with other countries so that way they get along better with eachother, and maybe understand and accept eachother more. So the next time someone asks, or looks a little too long- you can politely explain whatever you would like to- and maybe that person won't do that anymore."

Wise and generous, right?

It reminded me of one of my favorite pieces of writing. From the lovely Courtney Westlake, mother of a child who is visibly different, "Parents: What I Wish You Would Do" is (obviously) directed at parents, but there are lessons in it for all of us. It's a piece I come back to often. It's made me think about my own reactions, and how our instincts to avoid rudeness can sometimes be unintentionally isolating and rude in less obvious ways. But when we stop to think it through with empathy, it makes perfect sense.

In short: be kind, be inclusive, break through your discomfort—breaking down barriers might be easier than we think, and it starts with a simple "hello".

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Friday Find: The Only Prescription Is More Cowbell

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The summer games are upon us, and I cannot get enough. I've still got Five Ring Fever (v. contagious) like crazy.

Double-fisting my #rio2016 coverage with my two favorite sports. I love, love, love the summer #Olympics! (USA! USA!)

A photo posted by Caitlin Hannah (@thecopycait) on

Rio 2016? Rio 2016! Simone Biles is showing us all who's boss! Michael Phelps is being Michael Phelps! Leslie Jones is going ham (language may not be SFW, but it's worth experiencing her infectious spirit) and everyone loves it! The pools are turning green and the man behind the curtain claims it's fine! And we haven't even gotten to track & field events yet!

I'm in a Facebook group to chat about the Olympics (of course I am), and I'm following all of the happenings on social media. Without further ado, and in no particular order, here are some of my favorite moments and memes so far. 

Variations of this tweet that I've seen all over and can't stop chuckling about. I volunteer to do the uneven bars so that we can all witness the HANG IN THERE kitten poster come to life.

These recaps on Elle's site are somehow both delightfully asinine and perfectly poignant.

This infographic showing Rio by the numbers, and covering a variety of topics, from kilometers of fencing used, to reported cases of Zika, to tons of dead fish removed from the lagoon where rowing and other water sports will take place.

There's been so much good stuff flying around the internet that my weekly Friday fun post can hardly capture it all—I'm sharing more over on Twitter if you want to keep up, or come share yours!