Laura Sands Copywriting

29/09/2025

We did it!

My mum, sisters, and I decided, on a whim, to sign up for the South Coast Macmillan Mighty Hike. We chose the half-marathon option, not the full 😱, described as a "challenging" coastal walk. It seemed like a great idea at the time!

And after one postponement due to bad weather, the day eventually arrived. At 5am (yes, a 4.30am wake-up) on Saturday morning, we laced up our walking shoes, stuffed our pockets with jelly babies and drove down to our starting point in Alfriston. Just three of the original five made it - childcare challenges and a chest infection meant two of our merry bunch couldn't join in and were cheering us on via WhatsApp.

We weren’t fast. I’m no athlete, my mum rarely walks further than the bus stop, and my sister has her arm in plaster after recent wrist surgery 😱. To say we were a hodgepodge bunch is understating things!

But… we made it! I’d like to say the highlights were the incredible views and the sense of achievement at finally reaching the finish line. However, (cheesy bit alert) the true highlights were the people we walked with and the sense of love you could feel throughout the event for those who have been lost or suffered through cancer.

By the time we reached Eastbourne and donned our medals, I was a blubbering mess, as was my mum (affectionately referred to as “the mothership”). My sister? Unmoved; she’s a regular at mass-participation events and was simply relieved we'd finally got to the finish line after seven looooong hours of gentle chivvying.

Thank you to those who have already donated. If you’d like to join those kind souls, my JustGiving page is still active. Your support will fund care for those with cancer and make my aching hamstrings and hips feel a little bit better!
Kirsty Steel

You can donate here - https://lnkd.in/evvn5wwD

30/04/2025

If you got an A in GCSE English or a degree in English Lit, you don't need to invest in your writing skills. Right?

Wrong!

The way we're taught and encouraged to write at school and university isn't (always) the best way to communicate.

Lengthy sentences.
Ambitious adjectives.
Adverbs. So. Many. Adverbs.
Complex vocabulary.
The passive voice.
The subjunctive.
Thus.

All very valid when you're writing an essay or responding to an exam question.

But if you're trying to get people to respond to an email? Or explaining something to reluctant stakeholders?

Not helpful.

The people who join my workshops know this... and always leave with a sense of liberation and (dare I say it) excitement, saying things like:
"It was logical and inspired thought."
"I felt incredibly motivated to write - it's a real confidence boost!"
"Your experience and expertise shone through without being intimidating."

Curious to find out more?
My next workshop - 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿 - 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰, 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 shows professionals, academics and corporate escapees how to write in a warmer, more approachable way.

You get 90 minutes of interactive learning and learn how to replace stiff corporate and academic language with authentic communication that builds trust and lets you express who you are, without sounding try-hard or flippant.

As this is my first workshop, it's just £35, instead of the usual £57.
You'll also get a downloadable resource pack, a recording of the session and the option for feedback on a piece of your work.

Want to sign up? Here's the link - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1205815148569?aff=oddtdtcreator
Want to know more? DM me!

29/04/2025

🎭Writing doesn't need to be a drama. 🎭
You're just communicating with your audience!

So here's a handy mind trick to try out next time you find yourself getting tangled with your words - pretend you're talking to just one person.

It's an official, 100% bona fide technique that all us writers use.

By focusing on sharing your message with just one person, you'll find it easier to:
- Write more naturally.
- Focus your message.
- Keep things simple.

It works every time. (Honestly!)

Give it a go and let me know how you get on!

28/04/2025

Tip of the day👇

Generic praise is the participation trophy of the working world. Nice to get, but it doesn't tell you what you did well or how to do it again. And what's the point of that?

"Great job!"
"Awesome work 😃"
"🚀Amazing presentation!"

Instead, try being more specific with your compliments. You'll not only encourage more of the behaviour you appreciated, but you'll also show that you were paying attention!

For example:

"I can see you put a lot of effort into that proposal. Thanks!"
"Wow, you've produced a really compelling argument."
"That presentation was fantastic - you were calm, eloquent and responded really well to those awkward questions."

I know which I'd prefer!

BTW, this works just as effectively with spouses and kids 😉.

Agree? Disagree? Something else?
Let me know 💡

25/04/2025

😱 If you're using Grammarly to check and correct your writing, I've got bad news for you. 😱

It's not foolproof. (Yes, really)

I'm a *mostly* happy user of the paid version, but regularly notice absolute howlers when I'm using it.

The picture I've attached is a great example. Instead of the approachable, reassuring tone I'm using, it's suggesting a super-formal alternative, which is not appropriate for my readers.
It's also perfectly happy with me starting two sentences in a row with the same word. 😱

So what?
Use Grammarly as a proofing tool, but don't rely on it. Instead, sense-check what it's telling you. As with all these tools, it won't work for you if you're not sure what 'good' looks like in the first place. Ironic? Perhaps.

Do you have any recent Grammarly (or other proofing tool) howlers? Let me know... I love a bit of tech-bashing now and then 🤣

24/04/2025

✍️ AUTHENTIC WRITING WORKSHOP ✍️

Have you ever noticed that your business writing doesn't sound like... YOU?

"Your proposal has been received and is under review."
vs.
"Thanks for sending your proposal! We're looking at it this week and will get back to you soon."

Which would YOU rather receive? 💭
If you're tired of sounding like a textbook in your professional communications, you're definitely not alone! Whether you're in property, finance, healthcare or coaching - the struggle is real.

The challenge? Writing professionally without losing your personality.

The solution? It's not just possible to write more authentically - it's BETTER for your business and client relationships!

And that's why you should join my all-new workshop - Sound like yourself on paper. Your guide to authentic, human, business writing

Join this 90-minute interactive workshop on May 15th and you'll:
- Learn practical techniques you can use immediately
- Get real-time feedback on YOUR writing
- Apply new skills to your existing work in hands-on sessions
- Build confidence in using your natural voice in a credible way.

This could be the missing piece in your client communications!

LAUNCH SPECIAL: Just £35 (regular price £57)

YOU are your strongest asset. I'll show you how to express yourself with ease and confidence!
➡️ Click the link below to register on Eventbrite! ⬅️

Or DM me with questions - I'm here to help! 🤗

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1205815148569...

24/04/2025

✍️ AUTHENTIC WRITING WORKSHOP ✍️

Have you ever noticed that your business writing doesn't sound like... YOU?

"Your proposal has been received and is under review."
vs.
"Thanks for sending your proposal! We're looking at it this week and will get back to you soon."

Which would YOU rather receive? 💭

If you're tired of sounding like a textbook in your professional communications, you're definitely not alone! Whether you're in property, finance, healthcare or coaching - the struggle is real.

The challenge? Writing professionally without losing your personality.

The solution? It's not just possible to write more authentically - it's BETTER for your business and client relationships!

And that's why you should join my all-new workshop - Sound like yourself on paper. Your guide to authentic, human, business writing

Join this 90-minute interactive workshop on May 15th and you'll:

- Learn practical techniques you can use immediately
- Get real-time feedback on YOUR writing
- Apply new skills to your existing work in hands-on sessions
- Build confidence in using your natural voice in a credible way.

This could be the missing piece in your client communications!

LAUNCH SPECIAL: Just £35 (regular price £57)

YOU are your strongest asset. I'll show you how to express yourself with ease and confidence!

➡️ Click the link below to register on Eventbrite! ⬅️
Or DM me with questions - I'm here to help! 🤗

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1205815148569?aff=oddtdtcreator

Sound like yourself, not like a textbook! Join my 90-minute workshop and learn how to build trust and express yourself authentically.

11/04/2025

There's a first time for everything!

I'm guesting on a podcast this morning with .newenham for her new 'Between the Bells' podcast. It's all about setting up and running a business during school hours.

Exciting? Yes - I love a good natter and Rebecca and I haven't caught up for ages.

Nervous? A bit - I readily admit to being 'better on paper' than I am in person when it comes to communication. No doubt I'll get my words tangled, talk too quickly and say something I later go on to regret.

But what's life without some minor jeopardy?

I'm not sure when it airs, but if you want to listen to me share my sparse words of wisdom, shout and I'll keep you in the loop 😃.

09/04/2025

Fourteen.

That’s the number of unnecessary words between:
"We regret to inform you that due to circumstances beyond our control, we are unable to process your request at this time"

and

"I'm sorry, we can't do that right now"

It’s so easy to overcomplicate things!

If you've ever caught yourself "utilizing" instead of "using" or "commencing" instead of "starting," my newsletter might be just what you need.

Sign up and you'll get:
• Insights into WHY it's better to keep things simple
• Quick, actionable writing tips you can implement immediately
• Before/after examples to show you clear writing in action
• Early access to workshop dates (including my May session on conversational writing!)
• Zero fluff, jargon, or time-wasting content.

It's writing advice for people who actually write things every day.

Comment "NEWSLETTER" in the comments or DM me to join the list. Your readers will thank you!

28/03/2025

🤓Giving others confidence in their own writing brings me so much joy🤓

And yesterday's free webinar was no exception.

I took my attendees through a whistlestop webinar packed with ways to transform their mindset when it comes to writing for their businesses or roles.
We covered:
- Why perfection is overrated
- Ditto for creativity and originality
- Easy, repeatable ways to come up with new ideas
- The secrets to finding more time to write
- Tried and tested tools and tech they can use to polish up their grammar & spelling.

Useful? It seems so. Here's what a couple of attendees said...
"You've inspired me introduce more structure into the way I write",
and
"Confidence-building really hit the nail on the head, I feel better knowing there's no right or wrong way to do things and it's important to be yourself".

Fancy joining the next free webinar (or even an in-depth specialist workshop?). Sign up to my newsletter (link in comments) and you'll be one of the first to know about the next one.

Photo? I thought I'd taken a screenshot of the group, but I can't see it in my files 🤦‍♀️. So here's a shot of me pretending to do a webinar instead 🤣.

25/03/2025

What if your mistakes and flaws made you more successful?

I'm not talking about adding a journalist to a war-plan-WhatsApp group 🤔. I'm talking about the little things that mark you out as a regular human being, doing the best you can.

Things like...

-fluffing your words in a video
-making a typo in a social media post
-inadvertently sending an email to the wrong person (followed up by a swift 'whoops!')
-spilling your coffee in a networking event
-mispronouncing something in a client meeting

Don't sweat it if you do. It's more than possible that these little mistakes could help you in the long run. The Pratfall effect (a real thing) says people are more likely to choose the slightly imperfect option ahead of the too-good-to-be-true option.

It's something a few big (and brave) brands use to their advantage. And you can too.

I'm not saying you should deliberately start adding typos to your emails. Or chucking hot drinks on people you've just met. BUT... if you do do these things, don't let them haunt you on the nights you can't sleep.

In a world where people and things increasingly strive for perfection, there's something rather charming about embracing reality.

What say you?

11/03/2025

Here's a bit of fun...

What words did you misspell or mispronounce until an embarrassingly late age?

I'm not talking about squiggle instead of squirrel. Or Psgetti instead of spaghetti.

I'm talking about anenome instead of anemone (my kids picked me up on this - the shame).

Cardamon instead of cardamom (I only realised this when I saw a restaurant called cardamom and mused upon their 'mistake' 🤣).

I'm well-read, a professional writer and quick to notice others' mistakes. Yet, I was well into my forties when it dawned on me that I'd pronounced these words incorrectly my entire life... Surely, I'm not the only one in this situation?

You?