ill communication: copywriting tips & sales strategies for small businesses
As a small business owner, you know copywriting is one of the essential “skills to pay the bills.” But how often do you sit down at your laptop and struggle with knowing what and how to write? You’re not alone. It’s difficult to write your own copy (even for pro copywriters). Plus, when you’re juggling a family, clients, and a team... there just isn’t enough time in the day to do it all. It’s why sending an email to your list or updating your website never gets crossed off your to-do list. Enter ill communication: copywriting tips and sales strategies for small businesses. Each bite-sized episode is designed to give you easy, actionable (and fun) writing tips to help you craft your sales copy faster, create more engagement, and generate more sales. Tune in weekly to hear expert copy coach and die-hard Beastie Boys fan, Kim Kiel, drop a juicy tip, writing prompt, or sales formula you can take action on immediately. You’ll never have to wonder WTF to write again. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Ch-check it out. To find out more, visit kimkiel.com
Episodes
After seven years in business and 165 episodes, I'm retiring my signature program, The Joy of Copy Club. This past year felt heavy. I lost my spark. I even applied for a job (spoiler: didn't get it). But the universe had other plans. New clients reached out. Podcast downloads doubled. My newsletter is growing like never before.
I realized something big: The Joy of Copy Club evolved into something far beyond copy. The real ...
In this episode, Kim invites you to her brand-new live workshop, Master Your High-Ticket Message: How to Attract and Win Premium Clients.
If you've been struggling to raise your rates, exhausting yourself with lower-ticket offers, or wondering how to position yourself as THE go-to expert, this episode is your wake-up call.
Kim walks you through exactly what she'll in the workshop—from premium buyer psychology to crafting ...
High ticket buyers are still buying — even in a softer economy.
In this episode of the Ill Communication Podcast, I’m busting 7 of the biggest myths I hear from Gen X business owners about premium offers. From “my niche can’t command premium rates” to “I’ll alienate my audience” or “I need a bigger audience first,” I’ll share real-life examples and the mindset shifts you need to confidently step into that premium space.
If you’ve bee...
We’re not just in an economic recession — we’re also in a trust recession. Consumers and businesses are being more choosy than ever about where they spend their money.
So how do you keep selling in shaky times? Spoiler: it’s not by slashing your prices.
In this episode of the Ill Communication Podcast, I’m showing you why doubling down on premium, high-ticket offers is the smartest move in a downturn. You’ll hear:
- Why “trust reces...
Leading up to my milestone birthday, everyone kept asking: How are you going to celebrate? Big party? Big event? Honestly, I didn’t want to do any of that—and for the first time, I felt totally okay about it.
I gave myself permission to celebrate exactly how I wanted, which is how I ended up fully embracing the We Do Not Care Club.
In this episode, I’m sharing the Business + Marketing Edition of the We Do Not Care Club, where I reve...
In this episode, Kim shares 18 unconventional and totally doable ways to run year-end promotions that boost revenue without discounting your prices.
You’ll learn how to think strategically, playfully, and profitably about Q4 sales.
From Black Friday and Cyber Monday to creative pop-up promos tied to seasons, theme days, and even your business birthday.
Resources:
Daysoftheyear.com
Study: https://www.meteorspace...
In this episode of ill communication: copywriting tips and sales strategies for small businesses, Kim Kiel dives into:
- Copywriting tips to simplify your sales message and attract more clients
- How to avoid jargon and write copy that resonates with your audience
- Why formal “corporate-sounding” copy is holding you back
- Simple strategies to make time for writing compelling, conversational copy
In today’s world, sharing your values online can feel risky.
Speak up and you might face criticism. Stay silent and you risk feeling out of alignment. As recent events in the online marketing world have shown, navigating that line isn’t easy.
In this Summer Remix episode from early January, I’m revisiting one of the most loved episodes of the year, one that sparked countless messages from listeners who finally felt ready to start sh...
Hot take: it’s actually easier to sell a $5K offer than a $100 one.
(Especially if you’re not down for chasing thousands of likes and followers.)
This week’s Summer Remix episode of Ill Communication is a listener pick, voted in by my LinkedIn crew. And honestly? They nailed it. Because selling high ticket offers isn’t just a smart move, it’s a sustainable one.
If you’ve been stuck in the hustle of selling low-ticket offers, won...
This summer, I’m bringing back some of my most-loved podcast episodes, and today’s is a gem.
You’ve likely heard of the 9-word email, a magical little formula created by marketing legend Dean Jackson. It’s short, punchy, and still incredibly effective for re-engaging leads and booking new clients in 2025.
But here’s the problem. Most people are using it wrong.
A recent newsletter from a well-known marketing expert reminded me how ofte...
Running a business doesn’t have to be all 5am wake-ups, endless social media posts, and high-pressure launches.
Over the past 6 years, I’ve quietly built a chill, service-based business that has brought in over one million dollars in lifetime revenue.
No complicated funnels. No viral Reels. No fancy productivity hacks. Just a handful of habits that keep me grounded, creative, and in motion.
In this Summer Remix episode of the Ill Com...
Welcome back to the Ill Communication podcast!
This summer, I’m remixing hand-picked episodes to help you refine your message and sharpen your sales strategy for the year ahead.
Today’s episode is all about the power of picking a niche (something that can feel intimidating when you're trying to grow your business).
But narrowing your focus doesn’t mean shrinking your opportunities… in fact, it does the opposite.
If you want to s...
If you tuned in to last week's episode, you know we discussed the importance of being bold and clear in your messaging and marketing.
Right now, one of the biggest trends is having a clear point of view.
Nothing helps you stand out more in your marketing than knowing how to articulate what you do and whom you help in a clear and compelling way.
Some call this the elevator pitch, some call it a power statement, but I like to ca...
Welcome to the Summer Remix series on the Ill Communication Podcast! ☀️
Every summer, I take a short break from recording new content and re-air some of the most popular episodes (fan favourites, most downloads!)
This week, we’re revisiting an episode originally released at the very start of 2025.
In it I share 7 copywriting and marketing trends that will boost sales this year (even if we are halfway through).
✨ You will hear:
- Why ...
The marketing landscape has changed big time, and today’s buyers are more cautious, more skeptical, and taking way longer to say yes.
In this episode of Ill Communication, I’m breaking down the three essentials your business needs to sell with more clarity and ease in 2025, especially in what many experts are calling a “trust recession.”
We cover:
- How to clarify your core message so your dream clients immediately know you’re talki...
Tired of writing sales copy that just seems to list out features and specs, but leaves your readers yawning? In this special 150th episode of Ill Communication, I’m diving into the secret sauce that transforms dull, lifeless sales copy into a message that sparks curiosity and inspires action: the FAB Formula. It’s the technique that helps you bridge the gap between what your offer is and why it matters. Plus, I’m celebrating this i...
How often do you stop to truly celebrate your wins—big and small? In this episode, I dive deep into why celebrating successes matters more than you think, both in your business and in your personal life. From sharing personal stories of family milestones to reflecting on how I often skip over acknowledging wins in business, this episode is all about the power of creating a positive feedback loop that keeps you motivated and builds ...
What would it take for you to truly unplug this summer—without your business missing a beat? I’m sharing all the juicy details about my most popular workshop of the year: The Summer of Ease. I walk you through why planning now can give you the freedom to enjoy more sunshine and yes—more ease. Join me as I break down exactly what we’ll be doing together in this live, get-it-done session—from crafting fun and functional email autores...
This episode is different—and deeply personal. I'm stepping away from the usual copywriting tips to talk about something many of us avoid: mental health, burnout, and the hidden toll of holding it all together. The past year left me mentally and emotionally tapped out, and I didn’t even fully realize it until I was on the other side. So in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, I’m opening up about the behind-the-scenes strug...
How do you turn what's happening in your life right now into compelling content your audience actually wants to read? I’m sharing a powerful seasonal writing prompt that will help you show up consistently and with purpose—whether it’s through email, social media, blog posts, or your podcast. I’m in the thick of baseball season with my son, and it got me thinking: our daily lives are full of timely inspiration just waiting to b...
Popular Podcasts
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.