- My bread and butter—English copywriting, copyediting, and proofreading
- After +25 years in the classroom, I know a thing or two about language learning
- Or perhaps you just love the peeks behind the curtain
- And now, for something completely different
As the year winds down, things are still going strong at DC CopyPro central. Next week’s blog will be a “year-in-review” type post where I go over some of the stats for my blog and social media accounts. So next week is all about me. But this week is all about you, dear reader.
I’ve covered various topics in this blog over the past months. They tend to fall into three categories:
- English Copywriting & Proofreading
- Language Learning
- Personal Updates & Insights
As such, certain posts appeal to different audiences, but not others. Some posts are popular with friends and family. Others have become quite popular with language learners. Yet others get some value from the English copywriting & proofreading posts.
It’s clear I enjoy writing about and discussing language and language learning. I find it interesting to look at how language is used. This is not limited to learning a language. If you’ve seen my Instagram feed, you’ll see it extends to language use in general.
But enough about me—what about you? What topics would you like me to write about?
I very much enjoy engaging with my readers. I try to engage on this blog and my social media accounts. I would love to hear from you about what you’d like to see me cover in this blog.
My bread and butter—English copywriting, copyediting, and proofreading
If you’re interested in English copywriting, copyediting, or proofreading, what would you like me to tackle in the future?
Thus far, I’ve covered topics such as:
- Copywriter? Content writer? Copy editor? Proofreader? Argh!—A brief explanation of these different terms to help you decide what service you need.
- Curious about hiring a copywriter, copy editor, or proofreader? My process explained—A look at how I tackle freelance jobs.
- The 10 characteristics that make me a kick-ass proofreader—Proofreading isn’t for everyone. I examine why I’m well suited to the task.
- 5 free tools every blogger needs in their arsenal to boost clicks—Some tools that anyone can use to blog more effectively and efficiently.
- How poor copy destroys trust and costs you customers—[with examples]—An examination of the specific effects poor copy can have on your potential customers.
- 5 ways to determine if the proofreader you’re considering is competent—Some strategies anyone can use to assess the ability of a proofreader.
What else about copywriting, copyediting, and proofreading would you like my take on? Don’t be shy! Leave me a comment (or send me a message) and let me know.
After +25 years in the classroom, I know a thing or two about language learning
Before losing my job and being forced into a major life decision that resulted in me switching careers, I was an EFL teacher. I got my master’s degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), focusing on CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning). I taught all ages and levels (learning that while I love children, I do not love teaching children).
I quickly learned that language ability was of little importance to me as a teacher. Motivation and effort were far more important qualities for students to have. I’d rather have a class of low level, highly motivated students than a class of high level, unmotivated students any day. Motivated students make a teacher’s job so much easier.
In this blog, so far I’ve covered such language learning topics as:
- How to learn English more effectively than RM from BTS—A post on how to use Netflix to help you learn a language.
- Confusing English verb tenses and the 5 tenses you need to focus on—Focus on the five most common English verb tenses, instead of dividing time between all twelve.
- Best way to increase your vocabulary? Stop learning new words!—Focusing on the most often-used words in English and their different uses will yield better results than learning new words.
- How can I increase my vocabulary? Size doesn’t always matter!—A practical examination of a simple text that demonstrates why increasing your vocabulary is rarely the answer.
- Part II—How to increase comprehension using words you already know—A continuation of the previous topic.
- How many words can you gloss over and still understand something?—A look at how many words in a text you need to comprehend to digest information well.
Is there something else about learning English I can help you with? Is there a particular area you struggle with, and would like some tips on how to improve it? Or perhaps a grammar concept that sort of makes sense, but you’d like some clarification?
I can’t promise I’ll have all the answers. But I’ll tell you what I told my students when they asked me a tricky question I didn’t know the answer to: I’ll look into it and get back to you. There’s no risk to you. Comment below or send me a message. Perhaps I’ll be able to help you make sense out of something you’ve been struggling with.
Or perhaps you just love the peeks behind the curtain
I assume most of my friends and family don’t give a rat’s ass about copywriting or language learning. That’s fair. But they do seem to enjoy hearing about my successes and failures, struggles and achievements.
To date, I’ve given regular updates, along with a few other glimpses into my life, including:
- 25-year EFL veteran attempts to reinvent himself as the big 5–0 looms—The journey begins! Why and how I embarked on this career change.
- English copywriter/proofreader—perfect life choice or complete disaster?—My first update on how my new career change went.
- What’s the verdict? Was it a mistake to become a freelance English copywriter?—Part II of the previous post.
- Is it time to quit after six months of playing English copywriter?—A six-month update on my new career path.
- 9 months in and this English copywriter in Korea thing is working out—An update after nine months of working as an English copywriter and proofreader in Korea.
- Dying to know how a freelance English copywriter spends his day? Wonder no more!—A look at a typical day for me as a freelance English copywriter in Korea.
What else about my terribly exciting life would you like to know? As things “normalize,” I anticipate cutting back the updates to every six months (unless there’s a major development). But I’m certainly open to writing about how I work and my day-to-day struggles—if that’s what floats your boat.
So what burning question have I not addressed yet? What secret are you dying to know? Comment or send me a message, and maybe I’ll scratch that itch for ya!
And now, for something completely different
Or perhaps you’d like to get my take on another topic entirely.
Having spent more than half my life in Korea, I’ve come to know my version of Korea pretty well. I’m no expert on Korea, but I’ve picked up a few insights along the way. As I’ve said before, I’ve spent over a quarter of a century in the classroom. I’ve got more than a few theories on teaching pedagogy.
I’m also an extremely mediocre guitar player. But I can complain about the challenges I have battling the instrument I love for hours. Or perhaps you’d like to get to know me better in an “Ask Me Anything” sort of format.
Still a relative novice, I have learned a few things about blogging in the past 10 months. In my new job as a copywriter, I’m learning more and more about marketing. Twelve months ago, I wasn’t interested in that topic at all—but I now see it as a puzzle to crack. Fascinating!
I’m willing to consider pretty much any topic. If I can find a way to tackle it so it sort of fits in with this blog, I’ll write about it.
But you’ve gotta ask.
If you don’t want to post a public comment, send me a message via this site, on Instagram, Facebook, or by email. I’m not fussy.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
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