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Audrey JoAnn | Content and Copy Writer

Compelling Copy for Female Founders

LET’S NOT GET SO USED TO OUR OWN LIVES

July 6, 2018

If you’re a human being, and if you’re reading this hopefully you are, you’ve experienced the normalization of something you once saw as exquisite or extraordinary. It happens in relationships, and the person you were enamored with five years ago now has more annoying habits than lovely characteristics. It happens in friendships, and the people who you clicked with instantaneously and shared all your dreams and hopes with over margaritas and queso are now more of a nuisance to try to make time for. It happens in our jobs, and that dream of growing within your company turns into endless cups of coffee as you stare zombie-like at a computer for nine hours a day. It happens with our surroundings, and that sunrise or the charming cafe down the street are now a passing part of your daily routine and environment, nothing more.

When do we get so used to the wonderful pieces that make up our lives? And, more importantly, how can we still find the beauty and magic in things that sooner or later become ordinary?

My siblings and I have a running joke with my mom (or, more accurately, about my mom) about how captivated she is by everything. No, really, everything. We’re not all in the same place often, but when we are, especially if it’s somewhere new (but not exclusively), you can bet money that my mom will enthusiastically say something along these lines about a dozen times a day: “Wow, what kind of tree do you think that is? It’s beautiful!” or “Look at how interesting that building is! What do you think it’s used for?” And then we will all look at each other and laugh and say we don’t know what the plant or the building or the car or the sign or the flower is.

My mom’s genuine curiosity is something we’ve turned into a joke, but really, it’s one of the best parts about her. And more than that, in situations with other people, I’ve caught myself saying, “Wow, what kind of tree do you think that is? It’s beautiful!” or “Look at how interesting that building is! What do you think it’s used for?” No matter how much fun you make of your parents, I promise you’ll turn into them in some way or another.

It’s special, actually, that she isn’t so jaded by what we might see as everyday, normal objects and occurrences, and she clearly isn’t deterred by her kids’ kidding. She wants to learn and understand and figure out these small parts of the world that many of us overlook.

This last week, I’ve been in Telluride, Colorado, with the family I nannied for in Nashville. I’m helping out and hanging out with my favorite toddler, who I may be borderline obsessed with, and also taking time to write, hike, and explore this quaint mountain town. We will be here until the end of July, but already I’ve felt my astonishment for the serenity and breathtaking backdrop shrink a little since I got here last Thursday. It’s not that I’m not enjoying my time; it’s that my appreciation for the small shows of beauty and fun all around me isn’t quite so apparent as it was even a handful of days ago.

Routines are a good thing for productivity and organizing our lives, but if we’re not careful, they can minimize all the wonder around us as we get into a clockwork-like groove. Here in Telluride, I wake up most mornings and go workout, either running on a gorgeous bike path or going to a cute pint-sized gym downtown, spend some time with the kiddo, get a little work done at whichever local coffee shop sounds good for the day while he naps, and help out with anything else in the afternoons and evenings. What a life, right? But it’s becoming more routine, and more…normal, or stagnant, even, every day.

Currently, I’m writing this blog post on a covered patio outside a teeny and adorable local bookstore, with an oak-milk latte sitting next to my computer, and thunder is rumbling distantly while rain sprinkles down on the town. It’s a much-needed rain (Telluride has been in a drought), and the cool, 65-degree weather that came with it is heaven for this girl whose home is in the hottest depths of the underworld Texas. There are flower boxes with bright, fresh blooms and herbs covering the rail of the patio, and as I sat down to get out my computer, it came to me how unbelievably lucky I am to have been given the opportunity to come here.

I know this is a word we all make fun on Instagram, but it is a real blessing (#blessing) to get to witness the awesome work of God among me every day in these mountains and trails and even simply a view of trees from my bedroom window or the smell and sound of rain on a patio. Texas is great and everything (no, for real, I promise I like it there, too), but there’s a bit of magic in these sharp, verdant mountain ranges that surround this delightful town steeped in history.

How different would my life look if I started every day on this perch of gratitude, went into every conversation with this awe-filled wonder? Instead, I have noticed myself getting used to even the most exquisite of my surroundings. I do this with people and projects and silly things, like my phone, too. Ever get a new phone (or car or house or piece of furniture) and feel this immense sense of gratification for the newness of it? Nine months later, you might accidentally drop your phone and hardly flinch. It no longer has the special novelty because we have grown accustomed to it, by then.

It’s important, I think, to remember why: why we started, why we love the things we do, why we were curious about or interested in something originally, why we ask questions, why we got to the places we are — and not just physically. Why am I here in Telluride? Because I love the family I worked for, wanted to help them out, and wanted the opportunity to be among nature and travel somewhere new to observe and absorb all it has to offer. Why do I choose my partner every day? Because he cares more deeply for me than I ever thought was possible, cheers on all of my biggest aspirations, makes me laugh, and works toward a cohesive and lovely future with me. Why did I decide to take the path of being a writer? Because writing lifts my heart and soul, challenges me, fulfills me, and makes me happier than any other job.

Why do you love and what did you appreciate at first about the parts the make up your life? Your work, your home, your people?

Nothing about our lives is normal, even if pieces of it start to feel regular, mundane, or routine. But let’s vow to not get so used to it all, to find curiosity in little things, to remember every day the joy certain aspects of life once brought us, and to realize there was a reason those things brought us so much joy in the first place.

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Welcome! I'm Audrey, and I adore connecting with female founders and telling their stories in a way that matters & lasts for years to come.

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audskelton

The secret to describing your coaching service, pr The secret to describing your coaching service, product, offer, course, etc. online = talking about the amazing end result your thing will provide buyers. That’s it. 

Never ever ever *lead* with:

✖️You get 50 pages of content!
✖️ There’s over 10 hours of video instruction!
✖️ A free workbook comes with!
✖️ You’ll be added to my private FB group!
✖️ 12 modules waiting for you!
✖️ ... or anything regarding the FEATURES of your product/service. 

(And especially don’t list every single feature as the full caption, please for the love of Pete. 🥱) Think of those items as the fine print. Logical buyers maaaay be interested, but most people care way more about what your offer can change or improve for them. What specific result will it give them? What will it make them feel, help them achieve, allow them to excel at??

The logistical details can go at the bottom of your sales page—and honestly, just totally remove them from your social posts and CTAs.

Trust me... *I know how valuable those detail pieces feel and SEEM from your perspective as the creator* because it shows the hard work and effort you put into your offer. But talking about how much content is inside your product doesn’t mean ANYTHING unless people understand what that content can do for them. So always, aaaalways lead with that.

*steps off soapbox* 

Side note, this picture is from forever ago and is making me majorly ready to cut my hair again. 😂 Should I go for the mom chop?! ✂️
The absolute loves of my life. 🤎 Can’t wait t The absolute loves of my life. 🤎 Can’t wait to see what these two peas in a pod get into for years and years to come.
Our little buddy turned 3 months old yesterday and Our little buddy turned 3 months old yesterday and I can hardly believe it. These few months have simultaneously flown by and felt like a year. Wallace has grown so much and even though you always hear parents say stop growing so fast, I feel almost the opposite. I feel such pride with each new roll he develops, the strength his neck is gaining, and his belly that just keeps expanding. Is this weird?! Regardless, it’s been my greatest joy to watch him grow and his personality begin to emerge. The way he smiles and chuckles when we quack or say “WHOA!” The rapid-fire kicks he does when he has room to sprawl out. His love for walks and disdain for car rides. 🥴 It’s all so fun and special and new (for all of us!), and I wouldn’t trade a moment for anything in the world. 🤎
Jesus’s return is the most precious miracle of m Jesus’s return is the most precious miracle of miracles... but the fact that we’re all facing the camera and even (kind of) smiling in this SELF-TIMER pic is a pretty close second. 😆🥲 Happy Easter and sending you so much love and joy! 🤎
Everything is temporary. It’s been my mantra thr Everything is temporary. It’s been my mantra through the hardest and sweetest moments these past few months, and even more so as I ease back into work this week.

It’s all temporary. The good, the bad, the big emotions, the tenderest moments, the hard days, the beautiful days, the teeny socks, the endless emails, the nap strikes, the stacked deadline weeks, the sweet bonding of nursing.

None of it will be around forever, and even though I probably won’t have my schedule figured out for a long, long time, that doesn’t mean these days of just getting by and praying it all works out aren’t important.

They’ll be gritty, cobbled-together, and messy. But they’re mine. I get to craft these days however I want to, with the sweetest babe on my hip and my honey in our back office chasing his own dream, and that’s a beautiful thing.
Vacations hit different with a baby, that is for s Vacations hit different with a baby, that is for sure. 🤪 The days revolve around naps and feedings, and afternoons that we once would have spent taking 4-mile hikes or sitting on a patio at a brewery are now spent reading, playing cards, and listening to Kacey Musgraves and Tom Petty in our Airbnb while Wally snoozes. It’s not worse, but it’s a different pace than I’m used to and that’s okay. In fact, it’s probably more needed than I realize as I wrap up my maternity leave and get back to work in a couple days. Grateful for these slow days and sweet memories with my loves. Now... we just have to make the 4-hour drive home tomorrow with a dog and baby who both hate the car. 🤣 (PS... I’m sharing more thoughts about how I feel heading back to work in this week’s newsletter that goes out Friday—you can sign up to get emails from me with copywriting tips, business anecdotes, and some life updates too in the link in my bio! ☺️) #babysfirstvacation #laketahoe
flannels + chunky sweaters + squishy babies + gorg flannels + chunky sweaters + squishy babies + gorgeous views = my aesthetic forever and ever. 😍
When I was little, I said I wanted 4 kids, just li When I was little, I said I wanted 4 kids, just like my own family. I wanted a girl, boy and girl twins, and a boy. (‘Cause you can totally plan those things. 🥴)

Then, my parents got divorced and in my angsty teenager-ness, I was like, “Nope, nevermind. I’m good with no kids thanks!”

I didn’t want the pressure of raising someone and somehow damaging or disappointing them. And I was skeptical that a couple could stay together and happily raise a family.

When John and I started dating, he was so confident in us and our future. I’d never met a guy who a) pursued me so openly and consistently and b) made me feel valued in every area of my life. Career, relationship, family, health, faith.

When we went on our first camping trip about a year into dating, we were having one of those deep, wine-fueled campfire chats that seem extra important and lovely. I asked him how he knew he first loved me.

He was so good at always complimenting my drive and ambition, or how I looked regardless of whether I was dressed up or grungy after a workout. I figured it would be a combination of those sorts of things, but he surprised me when he said, “Because I know you’ll be a good mom.”

Uhhhh, what? I was like, “... But you know I’m not even sure I want to be a mom. How can you see that?”

He said in the way I so deeply care for others and myself. He had this unwavering belief that we could build a family, and he wanted this girl who spent a lot of years feeling broken to lead it alongside him.

I know this doesn’t sound very “progressive,” but his faith in me being a good mom healed a part of me in so many ways.

I always knew I was driven. I knew I could build a career and life I loved. But I didn’t believe I could build a family that lasted. Or at least, I was scared to think what might happen if I tried.

Wallace is absolutely the best thing that has ever happened to me. He made me the mom that John believed I could be more than five years ago.

I don’t know if you ever necessarily feel “good” at being a parent, because every day is filled with mistakes & learning curves, but I will say that it’s the most immediately natural I’ve felt in any role I’ve stepped into, ever.
Would it be too much to gallery wall an entire hou Would it be too much to gallery wall an entire house? Asking for a friend.

Newborn family photos by my talented, sweet friend @jilliangoulding. She is too good! 🤍
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