Nicole Elliott: Conversion Copywriter & Messaging Strategist | Specialist in Human-Sounding, Non-Salesy Sales Copy at Nicole E. Creative

Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business

I'm Nicole, a Conversion Copywriter & Messaging Strategy who has spent the last decade specializing in human-sounding, non-salesy sales copy.

Through my 3-Step Human-First Messaging Approach, I help clients turn fuzzy messaging into clear, compelling words that connect and convert—without the false urgency, sleazy tactics, or bad-car-salesman-y energy you've probably seen in sales copy before. 

Who are your customers?

My clients tend to be small business owners, industry experts, and fellow Entreprenistas who are *really* good at what they do... but who sometimes struggle to condense all of that value into clear messaging and compelling copy that does what it's supposed to: sell.

Over the years, I've had the privilege of writing copy and developing messaging for a wide variety of brands, including:

-Strategic Coach, the business coaching powerhouse
-Hello Audio, everyone's favorite private podcast platform
-Sumo.com, founded by Noah Kagan (yup, *that* Noah – the brain behind AppSumo!)
-And even Entreprenista itself! 

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

Oddly enough, I started in academic writing. But I quickly burned out on the dry, stuffy, drained-of-all-personality approach that comes with that.

From there, I had a brief detour into translation work before pivoting to teaching English as a Second Language. This path gave me the opportunity to teach in Peru, Spain, South Korea, Sweden, and the U.S.

Eventually, I opened up my business and moved into copywriting, where I've been ever since. 

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

I've always loved words (so much so that I've learned 5 languages conversationally!), but I didn't want to spend my life writing things nobody actually *wanted* to read, which is what I found myself doing in the academic writing world.

Copywriting gave me a way to merge my love of language with my fascination for human behavior and my appreciation for genuine human connection.

And with that realization, I decided it was time to take the leap and open up a copywriting business of my own. 

What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way so far and what have you learned from it?

The biggest challenge was definitely learning how to wear *all* the hats. I knew how to write copy, but I had zero experience in marketing myself, setting up tech systems, pricing my work, or running the "business" side of being in business.

Frankly, it was a pretty steep learning curve at the outset! But what I learned is that you don't need to master everything at once. And it's (almost) always better to be done than perfect.

Thankfully, if you stick with it, many of those things that once felt impossible will become second nature.

What accomplishment are the most proud of to date in your business?

Honestly, just the fact that I'm still here running the business 10 years later! Truly, I'm proud that I've been able to build a sustainable business that's allowed me to work with incredible brands around the world while staying true to my values (no false urgency, no sleazy sales tactics, no soulless copy).

A highlight was being invited to collaborate with large, well-known brands like Strategic Coach, Hello Audio, and Entreprenista. But equally rewarding is hearing from small business owners that my work has helped them feel more confident in their message and, in many cases, directly increased their sales. 

Do you have any recent wins from the last year that you'd like to celebrate with our community?

A big win for me personally has been getting more comfortable speaking and teaching on bigger stages! From hosting my monthly Quick Copy Clinics to presenting at online summits, I've gone from "nervous wreck" to genuinely enjoying the chance to share my expertise live.  

What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

Over the next few years, I want to keep expanding the ways I make copywriting support more accessible and approachable for business owners—whether through my $9 Quick Copy Clinics, ongoing "copy review" offers, or new trainings. I'll always love working one-on-one with clients, but I also see my work growing into more scalable ways to help more people feel confident in their copy without needing a full done-for-you package.

What is your top productivity tip?

Theme Days are hands-down the best productivity "hack" I've implemented.

Essentially, I give each day (or at least half a day) a specific theme. This helps me carve out dedicated time for business priorities (instead of letting client work take over everything) and keeps important but less-urgent tasks from slipping through the cracks.

I switch my themes up every few months depending on what needs the most focus, but right now they look something like:

-Marketing Mondays
-Client Delivery Tuesdays
-Content Creation Wednesdays
-Client Delivery Thursdays
-Business Development Fridays

Of course, I'm not able to follow this perfectly every single week (life happens!). But it still helps my whole week feel more intentional and keeps me from wondering what to work on each morning. 

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

That being a great copywriter wasn’t enough to run a great copywriting business. I had to learn (sometimes the hard way) how to sell my services, manage projects, wrangle tech, and wear all the hats. I wish I’d known earlier that entrepreneurship is just as much about building systems, boundaries, and confidence as it is about doing the craft you’re good at.

What's the one app on your phone you absolutely cannot live without and why?

Definitely my Notes app.

Half of my copy ideas come to me at random times—in line at the grocery store, while on a run, as I'm biking to my coworking space—so my Notes app is basically a graveyard of half-written headlines and shower-thought ideas. 

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