
Lost For Words
Explicit content warning
11/13/24 • 83 min
This week, I sit down with Dave Harland, a copywriter, who shares his journey from young Scrabble enthusiast to a successful freelancer and agency owner. As well as exploring the events that lead to him changing his relationship with work talk about the importance of humor and authenticity in copywriting, the challenges of building a personal brand, and the evolution of his agency, Copy or Die.
Dave discusses the impact of newsletters on audience engagement and the significance of standing out on platforms like LinkedIn whilst emphasising the need for authenticity and personal connection in writing. He also shares why he left a comfortable corporate job for the world of freelancing and public speaking. The discussion also highlights the balance between leveraging technology and maintaining the human touch in creative work.
Takeaways
- Humour plays a crucial role in engaging copywriting.
- Building a personal brand can filter out unsuitable clients.
- The pandemic prompted a shift towards more humorous content.
- Newsletters can be a powerful tool for audience engagement.
- A strong personal brand can attract the right clients.
- Engaging content can be both professional and lighthearted.
- Vanity metrics on social media don't always translate to real engagement.
- Copy should create a sense of urgency and curiosity in readers.
- Enjoying the creative process is essential for fulfillment.
- Stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to unexpected opportunities.
- Authenticity is key in a world increasingly influenced by AI.
- Outsourcing creativity can dilute the personal touch in writing.
Dave Harland
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveharland/
Website - https://www.thewordman.co.uk/author/dave/
Website- https://copyordie.co.uk/
Keywords
copywriting, humor, authenticity, personal branding, agency, newsletters, LinkedIn, marketing, freelance, audience engagement, copywriting, humor, AI, creativity, freelance, LinkedIn, personal branding, public speaking, outsourcing, authenticity
Proud to be supported by friends of the show and previous guests, The Local Merchants.
The JobsWorth website is here www.jobs-worth.com
Watch the show on YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@jobsworthpodcast
Follow the show on Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/jobsworthpodcast/?hl=en
Follow me on LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhawker/
Follow me on TikTok; https://www.tiktok.com/@globaltechcollective
Subscribe to my newsletter 'The Job Journal from GTC'; https://subscribepage.io/TheJobJournal
Learn more about my proper job; https://www.globaltechcollective.com/
Contact the show on [email protected]
This week, I sit down with Dave Harland, a copywriter, who shares his journey from young Scrabble enthusiast to a successful freelancer and agency owner. As well as exploring the events that lead to him changing his relationship with work talk about the importance of humor and authenticity in copywriting, the challenges of building a personal brand, and the evolution of his agency, Copy or Die.
Dave discusses the impact of newsletters on audience engagement and the significance of standing out on platforms like LinkedIn whilst emphasising the need for authenticity and personal connection in writing. He also shares why he left a comfortable corporate job for the world of freelancing and public speaking. The discussion also highlights the balance between leveraging technology and maintaining the human touch in creative work.
Takeaways
- Humour plays a crucial role in engaging copywriting.
- Building a personal brand can filter out unsuitable clients.
- The pandemic prompted a shift towards more humorous content.
- Newsletters can be a powerful tool for audience engagement.
- A strong personal brand can attract the right clients.
- Engaging content can be both professional and lighthearted.
- Vanity metrics on social media don't always translate to real engagement.
- Copy should create a sense of urgency and curiosity in readers.
- Enjoying the creative process is essential for fulfillment.
- Stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to unexpected opportunities.
- Authenticity is key in a world increasingly influenced by AI.
- Outsourcing creativity can dilute the personal touch in writing.
Dave Harland
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveharland/
Website - https://www.thewordman.co.uk/author/dave/
Website- https://copyordie.co.uk/
Keywords
copywriting, humor, authenticity, personal branding, agency, newsletters, LinkedIn, marketing, freelance, audience engagement, copywriting, humor, AI, creativity, freelance, LinkedIn, personal branding, public speaking, outsourcing, authenticity
Proud to be supported by friends of the show and previous guests, The Local Merchants.
The JobsWorth website is here www.jobs-worth.com
Watch the show on YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@jobsworthpodcast
Follow the show on Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/jobsworthpodcast/?hl=en
Follow me on LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhawker/
Follow me on TikTok; https://www.tiktok.com/@globaltechcollective
Subscribe to my newsletter 'The Job Journal from GTC'; https://subscribepage.io/TheJobJournal
Learn more about my proper job; https://www.globaltechcollective.com/
Contact the show on [email protected]
Previous Episode

Reading Between The Lines
This week I had the pleasure of sitting down with professional actor Ricky Champ. Ricky shares his journey into the world of acting, discussing his early inspirations, the importance of resilience in the industry, and the impact of rejection on his career. He reflects on his time in EastEnders, delves into the emotional weight of portraying heavy themes in his work and how he navigates the balance between his professional and personal life. In this conversation, Ricky also shares his insights on the acting profession, emphasising the importance of letting go of performances, the power of passion, and the realities of balancing family life with a fluctuating career. He discusses the unpredictability of the industry, the impact of fame, and the significance of teaching the next generation of actors.
Takeaways
- Resilience is crucial in the acting industry.
- Rejection is a common experience for actors.
- Finding a balance between personal life and acting is essential.
- The memory is a muscle that needs to be exercised regularly.
- The importance of human connection in performance
- It's important to find joy in what you do.
- Exposure doesn't pay the bills.
- Protecting your integrity is vital in the industry.
- Teaching can be a rewarding way to share knowledge.
- The journey of an actor is often unpredictable.
- Fame comes with its own set of challenges.
Ricky Champ
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rickychamp2
Agency - https://innovate-talent.co.uk/
Keywords
Ricky Champ, acting, resilience, EastEnders, auditions, career, rejection, mental health, theater, acting, performance, passion, family, career, industry, fame, teaching, experiences, opportunities, Him and Her
Proud to be supported by friends of the show and previous guests, The Local Merchants.
The JobsWorth website is here www.jobs-worth.com
Watch the show on YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@jobsworthpodcast
Follow the show on Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/jobsworthpodcast/?hl=en
Follow me on LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhawker/
Follow me on TikTok; https://www.tiktok.com/@globaltechcollective
Subscribe to my newsletter 'The Job Journal from GTC'; https://subscribepage.io/TheJobJournal
Learn more about my proper job; https://www.globaltechcollective.com/
Contact the show on [email protected]
Next Episode

The Music Makers
On this weeks episode of JobsWorth, I sat down with Mark Barnacle and Mike Barnes, co-founders of the charity Together in Musical Expression (T.I.M.E). They discuss their early musical influences, the evolution of music consumption, and the therapeutic power of music, especially in relation to memory and emotional well-being. We also learn about their experience of establishing a charity, the challenges they faced in funding, and the importance of purpose in their work. Through their experiences, they highlight how music can bring people together and create meaningful connections. In this conversation, we discus the intricacies of running a charity, emphasising the importance of treating it like a business while also highlighting the personal journeys that led them down this path. They share insights on the impact of music therapy, particularly in dementia care, and the significance of community engagement and breaking down stigmas associated with disabilities.
Takeaways
- Music has the power to change lives.
- Creating a charity requires passion and purpose.
- Community support is vital for charitable organisations.
- Music participation fosters inclusivity and creativity.
- Charities can generate income while making an impact.
- Music therapy significantly benefits dementia patients.
- Breaking down stigmas is essential for inclusivity.
- Hiring for passion can lead to a more impactful team.
Together in Musical Expression (TIME)
Website - https://www.timemusiccharity.com/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/timeessex
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCigFrQXGe_PQk0zIsY_RttQ
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/timeessex
Email - [email protected]
Video- Holding Onto Those Memories-https://youtu.be/I0UZTe0bfxY
Keywords
music, charity, Together in Musical Expression, mental health, community, music therapy, personal growth, nostalgia, early influences, funding, charity, nonprofit, business, community impact, music therapy, dementia care, fundraising, personal journey, social impact, mental health, inclusive nightclub, community building, funding, charity work, music therapy, social inclusion, hiring practices, outsourcing, sustainability, future goals
Proud to be supported by friends of the show and previous guests, The Local Merchants.
The JobsWorth website is here www.jobs-worth.com
Watch the show on YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/@jobsworthpodcast
Follow the show on Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/jobsworthpodcast/?hl=en
Follow me on LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhawker/
Follow me on TikTok; https://www.tiktok.com/@globaltechcollective
Subscribe to my newsletter 'The Job Journal from GTC'; https://subscribepage.io/TheJobJournal
Learn more about my proper job; https://www.globaltechcollective.com/
Contact the show on [email protected]
JobsWorth - Lost For Words
Transcript
I'm in a co-work in space but I've booked out. I'm in like a bit of a shed. We can book out these little meeting rooms. nice. my God, it is a shed. It is a shed. Yeah, there's about 10 sheds all lined up inside a big giant warehouse. It's like the creative quarter of Liverpool. It's called the Balford Triangle.
Welcome to episode seven of Jobsworth season three. This week I catch up with copywriter, agency owner and wordsmith extraordin
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