When I decided to switch careers a year ago after a major life event, I believed in myself and had a rough plan. But things don't always go according to plan—but that isn't always such a bad thing.
Finally, one year on—how I got screwed out of my job and why I’m not bitter
Friends and family know that last year I lost my job of +17 years. But only a few people know the full story and all the details. As is often the case, those things that don't kill us make us stronger.
How I’ve learned to succeed as a freelance copywriter in under a year
I'm pretty new to copywriting, but in the past eight months, I've learned a lot. I've still got a lot to learn, but I have noticed some trends and patterns among established copywriters and folks like myself trying to find their way in this field.
Dreams of a carefree freelancer dashed by realities of being a remote worker
My days were pretty standard as a teacher, especially after +25 years. Becoming an English copywriter and proofreader in Korea has involved substantial changes to my typical routines. And due to recent developments, my typical day looks quite different than even a few months ago.
How to write a complaint letter that’ll get you what you want
An effective complaint letter isn't about how loud you rant and stomp your feet. Knowing how to frame your complaint letter and what to include (and what not to include) will help you get your complaint resolved more effectively.
Why do those insidious errors keep sneaking into your writing?
Why are casual and seasoned writers alike plagued by errors in their writing? Whether writing text messages or novels, these errors constantly pop up. Even with technology like spell checkers and grammar checkers, how do mistakes still find their way into our writing?
How learning English number prefixes can increase your vocabulary
Part II of a post on English number prefixes. Along with more examples of common words that begin with number prefixes, this post also examines the Korean counting system and teaches you how to read a 36-digit number.
I bet you can count higher in English than in Korean
Learning a few prefixes can help you improve your understanding and your vocabulary. There are several number prefixes in English. Learning them will help you understand common words in new ways and how to identify large numbers in English.
Why are some hyphens longer than others? Wonder no more!
Are hyphens and dashes the same? If not, what's different? How do you even type them? Answers to these questions (and more) are revealed in this post. This post will explain the differences, help you understand when to use them, and most importantly, how to actually type them!
How successful was DC CopyPro, English copywriter & proofreader, in 2021?
It's been quite a first year for DC CopyPro, English copywriter and proofreader. In this post, on look back on how my website, Facebook page, and Instagram pages performed. There were more than a few surprises and unexpected stats in this year-end review!
Help me help you—what can DC CopyPro, English copywriter in Korea, do for you?
I know what I like to write about, but what do YOU want to read about? Don't be shy! Get in touch and request a topic (or several) or ask a question. What's the worst that can happen? I may not write about your topic. That's it. What have you got to lose?
5 ways to determine if the proofreader you’re considering is competent
How can you decide if a proofreader is competent enough to proofread your writing when you aren't aware of the mistakes you're making? You're not a native English speaker—how can you determine if an English proofreader is qualified? This post outlines some strategies you can use so you'll feel more confident hiring a proofreader.
Transitioning to an English copywriter in Korea got off on the wrong foot
Changing careers is never easy and things rarely go as planned. And things were no different for me. My first actual gig as an English copywriter in Korea got off to a pretty rough start.
How many words can you gloss over and still understand something?
Foreign language learners wonder when they'll be able to read and listen to that language and understand everything. But even native speakers don't comprehend everything they read or hear. What percent of words do we need to understand in order to comprehend a written or oral passage?
Is holding non-native speakers to a higher standard than native speakers unfair?
When native speakers make an error, it's usually labelled a typo or a simple mistake. But non-native speakers are not extended the same courtesy. Instead, it is assumed they were ignorant of the rules. Regardless of the reason, too many errors in your writing is never good.
How poor copy destroys trust and costs you customers—[with examples]
Error-free copy alone isn't enough to be effective. Neither is engaging copy full of typos. You need engaging, error-free copy to establish trust, keep people reading, and have them follow your call to action. I use English and Korean examples to demonstrate this point.
9 months in and this English copywriter in Korea thing is working out
I always believed in my ability to switch careers and had confidence that I'd make a good go of it. I couldn't have predicted that my transition to being an English copywriter in Korea would've gone so smoothly—or happened so quickly.
Google is clearly superior—so why is Office 365 so popular?
Office 365 has long been the 'go-to' option for offices around the world, but after using Google exclusively for almost a year, it has become painfully obvious to me that Google is far superior to Office 365—so much so that I don't understand why Office 365 is still an option.
Why do I need an English proofreader? I don’t make that many mistakes!
As an English copywriter, I always strive to deliver error-free copy to my clients. Despite working as an English proofreader, the occasional error sneaks through. This post examines why this happens and how we can minimize typos in our writing.
Wanted: Unicorn—must have three horns, six legs, and stripes
Trying to transition from an English instructor to an English copywriter and proofreader in Korea, was challenging at times, especially after looking at hundreds of job ads. Many job ads looking for an English copywriter or proofreader are actually looking for something else.