What 9 year olds taught me about excellent copywriting

My daughter plays sax in her school band. This year (in an act of madness), I volunteered for the role of band/parent coordinator. As well as helping at rehearsals, sending emails and reminders, my big role so far has been helping with the smooth running of…wait for it…Band Camp.

After two days of hard work, there was no doubt the kids had made phenomenal progress. The proof was in the music. Pieces, which started off as discordant jumbles of sound were now giving me shivers down my spine.

I was busy, but over the two days I found many chances to observe and learn from the process. The kids’ commitment and focus to their music was humbling and made me look for ways I could lift my own game.

So whether you’re a budding copywriter or a business owner writing your own copy, I’ve found six lessons to take away from my Band Camp experience (none of them involving clarinets for those of you sniggering).

1. Practise practise practise

Those kids did little but play music all weekend and their progress was phenomenal. Want to be a writer? Write every day. Need to write a new brochure for a new product? Schedule a time and do it, even if you’re not happy with the result. Better to have something to edit than a blank screen.

If you’re disciplined and devoted to writing, you will improve and so will your confidence.

2. Listen to the experts

The conductors and tutors know their onions. They have much to offer and they’re happy to share their knowledge. As a writer, don’t be intimidated by the experts you read and subscribe to, be excited instead. People like Sonia Simon, Darren Rowse, and James Chartrand (just to name a few) have huge amounts of wisdom they’re only too happy to share.

Subscribe to them and absorb some of their genius. Their ideas are relevant to writers of all kinds, so it doesn’t matter why you’re writing either.

3. Allow yourself to be surprised

Band Camp blew my mind. I heard a group of disconnected 9 year olds turn into a cohesive piece playing juggernaut in 48 hours. Your ability to focus, write and produce quality work will surprise you. Have faith in yourself. Keep reading, keep writing. Keep your mind open.

Read blogs, write comments, join groups, send out feelers for work. You may be politely declined, but you might just be given your big break too.

4. Give yourself an intensive

Ten hours of face-to-face music practice was the ideal (according to the experts) for a band to achieve maximum benefit. Believe me it worked. Do the same with your craft. Take yourself off for a weekend and write yourself stupid, or go to a conference to listen, learn and connect with others like you.

Try your local writers festival, a local business network gathering or training events. Do it once or twice a year, and reap the rewards for months.

5. Expect excellence

You’re good at writing yes? You love it? That’s fabulous, but it’s not enough. Everything you write needs several drafts, and a final proofread.

You owe it to your business, or your paying clients. Think of the kids replaying the same bars until their phrasing was perfect, listening and adjusting the piece until they nailed it. Some of them were dropping in their chairs from exhaustion.

And if they can, and they’re 9 years old, so can you.

6. Recognise quantum leaps

The kid’s incredible progress taught me to celebrate the knowledge quantum leap. It’s the golden moment when you suddenly ‘get’ a concept, or realise a practical way you can apply an idea you’ve read.

I love these moments. They’re like a huge reward for all my hard work.

And finally, let the kids inspire you, like they inspired me.