Creator Spotlight: Sophy Dale
I’m forever grateful to Kerstin Martin for introducing me to Sophy Dale a few years ago. Sophy is one of those people who exudes a sense of calm… I always feel myself relax when working with her. She’s also a phenomenal website copywriter and has recently launched a course that will be a game-changer for designers struggling to get copy from their clients.
Hi Sophy! Tell us a little about yourself.
I'm a copywriter and messaging strategist. I really love helping to empower other solopreneurs to make their business work online.
Is there a product you've created that you're particularly proud of? Can you tell us a little about its main benefit or where this tool can be most helpful?
My signature programme Write Your Site takes people through the whole process of writing the copy for their website (including getting your foundational messaging in place and understanding how to write in the exact words and phrases your ideal client uses). It's a combination of a traditional ecourse (with videos and workbooks and office hour sessions) with detailed 1:1 video feedback on each of the main pages of web copy. I created it to streamline my 1:1 process of working with copywriting clients - with Write Your Site they're still able to access lots of personalised guidance, but it's at a much more accessible price point than would be possible working entirely 1:1. It's also proved helpful to web designers - they can refer clients who don't have the budget for done-for-you copywriting (or who just want to write their own copy, but need support) so that the design process isn't held up by having to wait for clients trying to create their own copy without any guidance.
How did your business get started?
I'm a serial entrepreneur, and this is my third business. My second business was entirely online and this third business grew out of all the questions people asked me about how I wrote my copy, found my clients and got clear on my underlying message. Eventually I set up a coaching and copywriting business to answer those questions...
How did you come to work with Squarespace?
On the advice of our mutual friend, Kerstin Martin. She convinced me, several years ago, that Squarespace offered the right blend of accessibility for a non-techy person like me, while still having all the functionality and elegance I wanted.
Do you have any words of wisdom for those developers and designers looking to get into the passive income world by creating Squarespace resources, such as templates or plugins?
I'm hosting a podcast on this very topic! It's called Design Your Business, and it's all about how web designers can use their superpower of design thinking to create a business that is perfectly tailored for their strengths and needs, with examples including basing your business around templates or other digital products, or other ways of productizing your services. I'm interviewing a range of designers plus other digital marketers to get the lowdown on what's worked for them.
If you had a piece of advice for developers or designers, or something you wish you'd figured out much sooner than you did, what would it be?
This advice is for all small business owners really and it's twofold. The first bit is that business really is based on relationships, and if you focus on building a network of strong relationships, your business will be immeasurably better off as a result. The second part is that I've never regretted investing in the right training and support (whether that's courses, coaching or books, podcasts, membership groups etc.). We can't do this alone, so make sure you get the support you need.
When you aren't hunkered down at the computer, creating amazing Squarespace tools and resources, how do you like to spend your spare time?
You'd be most likely to find me reading, cooking or going for a walk down by our local river with my husband and daughter, looking out for the heron and kingfisher that live down there.
What is your go-to karaoke song?
Words can't describe how much, as an introvert, I hate karaoke!
