Spend the day with a website copywriter

Take a look behind the scenes of a freelance website copywriter, business owner + mama living in Cheshire, England.

Confession: I’ve got a real soft spot for those daily routine videos. They trap me in a bit of a reel-induced swipety-up session. But no, I still won’t download TikTok. And please don’t tell me daily routine videos are out ‘cos I am OLD (millennial gal and proud ha!). I’m still loving them. Anyway, yonks ago, I did one on Instagram and it was FUN. So I thought, why not document my day as a copywriter in an old-skool bloggin’ way?

Hint: I don’t just write web copy all day.

Now, of course, I have different days! Some days are packed full of copywriting (client project days), and some days are for my own stuff, marketing, admin (ugh, accounts… my least fave task), and some days are v. hybrid with mum life (heyyyy, school holidays!).

So, in this blog post, I’m gonna focus on a client project day – because, let’s face it, if you’re having a read here, you might be thinking of working with me on your website copy. And that kinda insight (nosiness – no shade, I’m the same) could be just what you need to decide – to reach out, or not reach out?

So, let’s begin!

6:30 am – The wakeup

My 3-year-old son gets up around 6:30 am – and he’s usually already in our bed. Yep, we have a regular night-time waker, and I (secretly) love it and look forward to it. Long gone are the baby days of pacing up and down with an unsettled little dude. He’s now my fluffy chick head, and he smells delish (hahaha – if you’re a mama, you’ll know this feeling). So he’s always welcome to come snuggle with us.

I’m usually woken up by a ‘morning mummy’ and the best little cuddle. Cheesy, I know! But I love it. The only downside is that I am naturally an early riser, and when he did sleep through the night (when he was younger, ironically!) I would wake up before him and get myself sorted for the day, or get ahead with a project.

I still do this some days – as this website copywriter’s brain works so well at 6 am. I just love an early morning writing session. But my son is going through a super-attached-to-mummy stage, so it’s not so easy to leave him with ‘Dad’ all the time. I can physically do it – and we try – but the crying is not worth it right now. It goes through me.

But you know what? Like most things in parenting, it is a phase. I’m embracing the morning cuddles, and adapting my schedule!

7 am – Get ready & brekkie!

We head downstairs for breakfast, packed lunch makin’ (my son is in preschool), and a big cup of tea (non-negotiable!). I love this part of my day. We pop the TV on, put cosy lamps on (it’s winter as I write this – so it’s dark outside), and have a pretty slow start, despite the jobs and housework. I find it quite meditative – and it sets me up for the day.

This bit also includes getting my son ready – cleaning teeth, brushing hair, and getting dressed. Now he’s older, it’s a lot easier.

8:30 am – Preschool/childminder drop-off

I give my son a big hug, and off he goes. If our morning has gone well, this is a lovely moment – and no stress. But if we’ve had tears (we all have bad days, right!), it’s not so easy. I find it harder to transition on those days. But thankfully, they’re less common.

9 am – Home + start workin’

I’m at my desk by 9:30 am at the latest (I tend to let the dog out, put a wash on, make a coffee, tidy away 57 monster trucks, etc., before starting).

My first 30 minutes are dedicated to sorting my inbox. Replying to anything urgent, flagging anything for later, and getting it tidy for the day. I sometimes have meetings planned during the day, so if that’s the case, then I’ll use these 30 minutes to go over them and make sure I’m prepared.

10 am – 12 pm – Deep website copywriting work

If it’s a project day, the next two hours are about sticking the phone on DND (only the preschool + my family can get through if urgent). I’m such a voice note-loving gal, so I have to be really strict with myself and refuse to look at WhatsApp during project time.

This is such a productive 2 hours. On project days, I could be doing anything from:

• Creating an initial web copy concept (confirming high-level messaging, brand voice + approach)
• Working further into website copy (creating copy for services pages, about pages, etc.)
• Refining web copy edits from client feedback
• Working on DIY copy supplied via my website copywriting templates (this is a great way for clients to DIY their copy, then get the expert help they need on the other end to refine it, enhance it + SEO it).

12 pm – Time for a dog walk (+ lunch + a copywriter brain reset!)

I’m so lucky to live in beautiful Cheshire. The walks are an absolute tonic. Having a dog means you never can skip a walk, and it definitely helps keep me mentally (as well as physically) sharp! It’s my website copywriter secret weapon.

1:30 pm – Back at my desk

Usually, I will go into a lower-vibe copywriting task in the afternoon. This looks like:

• Reading over my draft copy + making edits
• SEO’ing copy
• Wrapping up projects for designers (popping it all in a Google doc + sending a Loom video to talk over it)
• Recording client Loom videos (I do this when I deliver web copy, so the client can understand the thought that goes behind how the copy is created)

4 pm – Admin tasks

The last hour of the day, I reserve for admin — so replying to emails, looking over my progress, and reassessing my to-do list for the following day. I work with clients in the US — so this is usually a great time to communicate with them, considering the time difference.

On longer days when we use a childminder, I have more time, so this is usually saved for those days. On shorter days, when I pick my son up at 3 pm, I’ll usually be building a robot tower out of Lego blocks by 4 pm. Or doing the washing. Endless washing.

5 pm – Dinner + family time

My partner has finished work, and we’re all home. If it’s summer, we go for a family dog walk. But in the winter, it’s more about cosy vibes – candles on, log burner lit, and a yummy slow-cooker dinner.

After the fun sarcasm of bathtime + bedtime, I sometimes collapse in a heap on the sofa. There’s a reason Ella (my lovely freelance never-met-in-real-life-but-she’s-my-vibe copywriter friend) called her Substack Double Shift – parenting littles and working is quite literally that. And often, I have to head back to my office to catch up.

Evenings are rarely for client work. I work fresh in the mornin’. But they will be used to catch up with the tasks that surround website copywriting – such as keyword research, tidying wireframes, compiling Google docs for website designers, and general copywriting ‘admin’.

I also love doing low-vibe work, like creating pins for Pinterest, drafting email newsletters, and doing stuff that feels easy on my brain.

10 pm – Chill!

I switch off my laptop by 10 pm. Then usually it’s all about getting cosy in bed, with a good book.

I am so in love with our local library, and always have a stack of books to work through. I’m really enjoying novels at the moment – I’m reading a crime novel set in North Wales, which isn’t too far from this Cheshire copywriter. And my family live there. So it’s tres atmospheric.

And if it’s a Friday, you’ll probably find me in the pub. In a cosy corner. With my little family + dog. Or, tucked up in a blanket, awaiting a big yummy takeaway and watching rubbish on Netflix with my ❤️.

Anyway! That’s enough jabbering on. I hope you liked this little BTS piece.

Love,
Zo
Maybe your website copywriter? If you’re thinking so, reach out + tell me about your project here.