The Times 100 | Business in Action | Laura Silcock

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Name: Laura Silcock
Title: Copywriter
Website: Laura Silcock

1. Tell us a little about yourself and what your business does?
I’m a professional copywriter; I write the words for things such as brochures, websites, newsletters, annual reports and sales letters. My clients include big brands, small start-ups and public sector organisations. Whoever I’m writing for, I help them to communicate more effectively.

2. Why did you start your own business?
I started my career in a PR agency but I decided it was the writing aspect of PR that I really, really enjoyed. I liked the idea of being my own boss and having total control of my career, so I left to be a freelance copywriter. I actually ended up continuing to do freelance PR as well as copywriting for several years. That’s been a good thing though; it’s exposed me to lots of different companies and helped me to develop good business acumen, which is always useful in copywriting.

3. How did you get started?
I phoned and emailed everyone I knew, and lots of people I didn’t know, to let them know that I was going freelance. Once I’d secured a few pieces of work people kept coming back to me and recommending me to other people.

4. What problems did you face and how did you overcome them?
I’ve been offered types of project that I’ve not done before. When that’s happened I’ve overcome it by learning quickly! I’ve looked on the internet and bought books to find out how to tackle it. Not long after I went freelance I was asked to write a radio advert and I’d not written one before. I rushed out, bought a book and wrote the advert and was thrilled when it resulted in a big increase in sales for my client.

5. What do you enjoy most about running your own business?
I love the flexibility of working when and how I like.

6. What do you dislike most about running your own business?
You’re never exactly how much profit you’re going to make each month and year.

7. Did you have any help or guidance and if so was it useful?
Lots of people have been helpful in different ways. The most help has been from those who’ve put me in touch with people who can give me work. Soon after I set up on my own a contact I’d made got me on the pitch list for Bacardi Breezer, which I won. He then moved to Puma and I won work with that brand too.

8. What three characteristics do you think are most important in running a business?
I think it’s important to be motivated, organised and willing to take risks.

9. What three pieces of advice would you give a young entrepreneur?

        1. Find something that you really love. It’s likely you’ll have to work long, hard hours at first and that’s always easier when you’re doing something you enjoy. You’re also more likely to be successful doing something that you’re passionate about.   
        2. Keep a tight rein on your costs. Once you’ve built up some savings in the business you’ll be able to take opportunities as they arise and will be in a better position to take calculated risks.
        3. Don’t be afraid to ask for anything – recommendations, contacts, advice, information, help, money, testimonials…. If you don’t ask, you don’t get.

10. Running a business is...full of possibilities - the only person who can hold you back is you.

11. How did you finance the business?
I just needed a laptop and I already had one so I didn’t need to buy anything extra to get started.

What were the initial set up costs?
There weren’t any apart from the cost of a few phone calls.