Tartan Pen

Copywriting for digital marketing agencies who do things differently

Copywriting

Making my freelance copywriting business more sustainable

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The topics of sustainability and being environmentally-friendly have been on my mind a lot lately.  This might have something to do with the fact that I was a copywriter for the COP26 conference.  Seeing how others are working to make a difference was very inspiring.

I’d be delighted to receive any suggestions on how to make my copywriting business as eco-friendly as possible, but I thought I’d share some details of how I currently do my best for the environment and long-term sustainability.

Going paperless

I have gone almost entirely paperless (although not entirely by choice: the printer won’t print at all and I’ve just learned to live with it!).  I love the ability to sign documents using an e-signature (gone are the days of printing out a document, signing it neatly, smudging the ink, reprinting, signing it neatly, smudging the ink…  You get the idea!)  I’m almost glad the printer doesn’t work – it’s prevented me from printing items that didn’t really need to be printed.  Even if it does get repaired, I’ll be using it minimally. 

Remote working

A huge percentage of my work is done remotely.  This means no travel, no fuel emissions and virtually no carbon footprint.  When I do have to travel, I try to car-share as much as possible, if Covid guidelines permit.

Using renewable energy

The heating system is fuelled by biomass.  Unfortunately, I can’t take credit for this as it was already installed when I moved in – but it’s good to know when I turn the heating on during a chilly autumn morning that it’s using renewable energy.

Have you any suggestions for making a small business as sustainable as possible?  I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Welcome to Tartan Pen Copywriting

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Most of my copywriting projects are remote – which is why it’s vital I have a website that reflects what I do and who I do it for.

So what do I do and who do I do it for?

I’m a freelance senior copywriter working with London-based marketing agencies that do things differently. I like to work with companies that think outside the box, who want their copy to do the heavy-lifting, product-shifting, soft-sell, story tell and utterly compel.

Why the name Tartan Pen Copywriting?

I’m Scottish, so introducing the element of tartan seemed like a quirky way to acknowledge that. I also wanted to tie in the fact that most of the agencies I work with are based in London, but I wasn’t sure how – until the idea came to me when I was running on the treadmill and I quickly got my phone out and puffed out a voice message: “What would it look like if the word ‘copywriting’ featured London landmarks as letters?”

Who designed my website and logo?

That would be the lovely Jess and Terry of Optic Jam. Jess is my go-to for all my design needs – she’s a total genius and couldn’t be more accommodating, even when my ideas are beyond crazy.

Why did I need to redesign?

My previous business name was Isle of Skye Copywriting, as I grew up on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. It took me a year or so to realise I needed to come up with a different plan in order to market to my target audience. The kind of copywriting I wanted to take on had also shifted, so the look and feel needed to adapt to more of an urban, creative vibe.

What are my dream projects?

I love anything automotive and car related. Getting to work with Lexus and Toyota during my freelancing with Wunderman Thompson has been fantastic. My ambition is to work on copy for Jaguar Land Rover, since they’ve been my favourite car brand since I was a little girl. 17 years and four Jaguars later, this still hasn’t happened – but you never know!