Which one are you? (Karaoke edition 🎶)

There are three rules to rock at karaoke.

As a highly sensitive person, going to a bar, especially on karaoke night, is the last place I would choose.

Loud, unpredictable sound frequencies by exuberant intoxicated singers? Ummmm, no.

But one doesn’t plan to go to karaoke, it just happens.

So, on a Thursday in January, I entered a small, well-known queer bar in Denver, with a gaggle of friends, debating which One Direction song we would duet.

Boy bands aside, the true peak of the night happened when a bar patron stepped on the stage, followed by the opening chords of “What’s Going On” by 4 Non Blondes.

(A song that some have deemed an unofficial queer anthem. 🌈)

The singer could have been terrible, but we never heard her voice.

The entire freakin’ bar had their cell phones in the air, swaying side to side, singing loudly before the chorus even hit. Myself included.

Karaoke rule#1: You don’t have to be the best singer, just know your audience. Pick a crowd favorite and you can do no wrong.

The copywriting lesson?

You don’t have to be a Nobel Prize author, you just gotta know what your ideal client needs to hear.

Make sure you’re keeping your ideal client front and center whenever you’re writing.

What words would be music to your ideal client’s ears? 🎶

“And I…

want to swing….

from the Chandelieeeeer!!!!

The ChandeliEEEEER!”

The DJ stepped away from her table, down the steps of the stage, and belted out Sia like she was on gay American Idol.

And she sounded GOOD.

Karaoke lesson #2: It doesn’t matter the song - people love to hear a good amateur singer.

Especially someone who loves to perform, and isn’t afraid to engage the audience.

The copywriting lesson: You may not be Ester Perel, but you’re a go-to resource for someone in your circle.

This makes you even MORE valuable than the big-name experts because your people have access to you.

Think about your last colleague who sent you an ideal client. Ever asked them why they refer to you?

Do it! It will give you valuable information about what makes you stand out in their mind.

Then…weave that info on your website asap.

Later in the night, the opening notes of Camila Cabello’s Never Be The Same filled the air.

My friend, ready to film her performance for her girlfriend, grabbed the mic.

The song has a mellow intro. Doable for most voice ranges.

But then it hits some HIGH notes before the chorus. Not my friend’s range.

She didn’t miss a beat. She SCREECHED the lyrics into the mic like a mating eagle call. 🦅

Not just the first chorus. Every. Single. Chorus.

We lost it – whooping, yelling, cheering her on, laughing hysterically.

Karaoke Rule #3: The truth is, you can look like an absolute sock puppet on the stage, but if you commit wholeheartedly and have people in your corner, you’ve created an unforgettable experience.

The copywriting parallel: Writing copy, especially words that reveal your quirky or foul-mouthed personality, can feel like you’re naked on a stage with an unfriendly audience.

You’re at your keyboard, wanting to express yourself authentically – to be truly seen and draw in only the most ideal clients based on your clinical approach and your personality...

But you freeze in front of the blank page.

Or you constantly tweak your copy, becoming the literary equivalent of diluted chicken broth - hardly any flavor at all.

The truth is, I know nothing about how to be good at karaoke.

I made these rules up. (Which, aren’t most rules made up?)

However, given I’ve been a therapist for 10 years, and a copywriter for half of that, I know a thing or two about blending clinical knowledge with compelling copy in a way that attracts ideal clients without compromising your professional standards.

Copywriting is a learnable skill, like dancing, singing karaoke, or tying your shoes.

And YOU are the most powerful tool when it comes to writing client-attracting copy.

So if you’re ready to become your own rockstar copywriter, I would love to work with you in the upcoming round of Courageous Copywriting for Clinicians. (No singing required.)

You won't just be learning, you'll be WRITING, too.

You'll pick a piece of copy that you want to complete during the program, such as a home page or sales page. Between curriculum, coaching calls, and copy reviews, you'll move through the writing process with my eyes on it every step of the way.

The cherry on top? 🍒 You’ll learn a process that you can apply over and over to all future copy.

I want you to learn copywriting so well that you never need to hire a copywriter again.

And, if you do need to outsource it years down the road, you'll have the copywriting know-how to assess if the writer is a rookie or an actual pro, saving you money and guesswork.

The program doesn't start for a couple weeks, so you've got plenty of time to decide if this is the right next step for you and your business.

Wait! Before we go – do you have a go-to karaoke song?? Tell me!

P.S. The next cohort of Courageous Copywriting for Clinicians starts Monday, March 6, 2023. If you’re ready to find your authentic writing voice and dazzle your ideal clients with true-to-you copy, apply here or book a call to ask questions.

P.P.S. There's a lot of overlap between being good at karaoke and copywriting. Know your audience. Embrace your quirks. Lean on friends. And trust that you have a unique skill set your ideal client is searching for. Does your copy reflect that?