ill communication: copywriting tips & sales strategies for small businesses

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

July 9, 2025 11 mins

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...

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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 ...
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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...
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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...

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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 ...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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What if “f*cking around and finding out” was exactly the mindset you needed to gain new traction in your business?

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my new FAFO (F*ck Around and Find Out) era—what sparked it, how it reshaped my marketing approach, and why I’m finally letting go of perfectionism. If you’re anything like me, you might’ve resisted LinkedIn for years. But once I finally leaned in, I saw real, measurable r...

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How many people are missing out on your offer just because it’s hard to find or share? 

I’m giving you six dead-simple, free, and often overlooked ways to promote your offers that you can implement today. These strategies are designed to support all types of buyers from the DM-happy to the lurkers who never comment but love to click. Tune in to learn how to make your marketing more inclusive, more shareable, and way more effective.

T...

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Have you ever wondered why your emails aren’t getting opened—or worse, landing in the trash? I’m sharing three often-overlooked email tweaks that can instantly improve your open rates and get more eyeballs on your offers. This episode is all about boosting your email engagement with simple but powerful strategies.

Whether you’re just starting your email list or looking to freshen things up, these tiny changes can make a huge differe...

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Are you unknowingly turning potential clients away the moment they land on your website? In this quick-hit episode, I’m sharing five super simple—but wildly effective—tweaks you can make to your website today to capture more leads and close more sales. Whether you’re just starting out or you've had your site up for years, these micro-adjustments are often overlooked but can make a huge difference in your website’s performance.

...

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What if the key to writing better copy wasn’t writing more—but writing less? In this episode, I’m kicking off a new mini-series called 1 Minute Messaging Magic, where I’ll share fast, actionable tips you can apply right away to improve your messaging and marketing. And today’s tip is all about one simple shift that will instantly make your words more powerful: letting them breathe.

This week’s tip is based on a common mistake I see ...

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We make thousands of decisions every day—some are small, some are life-changing. But have you ever shared one of your biggest decisions with your audience? In this episode, I break down how opening up about your own decision-making process can build trust, connection, and authority in your business.

Inspired by one of my recent and most popular episodes, I’m giving you a writing prompt that will help you craft compelling content aro...

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What if the reason you're struggling to attract high-ticket clients isn't your offer—but your messaging?

In this episode, we're diving into the five stages of awareness and how they shape your marketing success. If you're frustrated by attracting the wrong type of clients, struggling to sell your premium offers, or wondering why your messaging isn't resonating with your ideal buyers, this episode is for you....

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Why isn’t your marketing working? You’re putting in the effort, crafting your message, and showing up consistently—but something isn’t clicking. In this episode, I’m sharing the one foundational piece that most small business owners overlook when writing their copy: voice of customer (VOC) research. You’ll learn how to find and use the exact words, emotions, and motivations of your ideal buyer to create messaging that instantly res...

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March 19, 2025 7 mins

Have you ever assumed silence means a missed opportunity? In this episode, I’m sharing a simple but powerful lesson: the fortune is in the follow-up! Inspired by a real-life conversation with my son about job hunting, I dive into why following up isn’t desperate—it’s strategic. Whether you're reaching out to a potential employer, a client, or a past connection, a well-timed check-in can change everything. I’ll also share insig...

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Have you ever held onto something—whether in life or business—longer than you should, simply because you’d already invested so much into it? In this deeply personal episode, I open up about a bittersweet decision my husband and I recently made and dive into the emotional rollercoaster of letting go, the fear of feeling like a failure, and the powerful lesson in recognizing when it’s time to pivot.

Maybe you’ve poured money into a pr...

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What’s the real difference between a copywriter and a ghostwriter? In today’s episode, I’m diving into the differences and similarities between copywriting and ghostwriting—a topic that’s piqued my interest and curiosity over the last few months. As more and more copywriters start calling themselves ghostwriters, I couldn’t help but wonder: Is there a real distinction, or is it just smart branding?

Through my own research, polls, an...

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What if there was a simple formula that made writing your marketing content faster, easier, and more effective? In this episode of Ill Communication, I’m sharing one of my go-to copywriting formulas that belongs in every marketer’s toolkit—Challenge, Solution, Result (CSR). This versatile structure is perfect for your welcome email sequence, sales emails, and even social media posts. Whether you’re telling your own story or showcas...

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