… in the shed copywriting …

Welcome to the new In the Shed Copywriting website.  Please feel free to have a look around and get in touch – all comments welcome.

In the Shed is a small business (so small that there’s just me) working with other small businesses, consultants and freelancers.  Many of my clients are in SW London/NE Surrey, close to my base Walton on Thames, but I do have clients as far afield as the Scottish Borders.

Virtual copywriting rules!

The aim of In the Shed Copywriting – or ‘the Shed’ as it’s known to its friends – is to provide an “all-round” copywriting service.  ”All-round” as in not only writing but also providing assistance and advice, from fleshing out a simple idea to helping with the admin/secretarial work associated with any project or marketing campaign.  For example, if you need a press release announcing your office move, I can research and compile a distribution list, write the release(s), organise photos, distribute the release, and set up your media database and procedures for use in the future.

I can, of course, carry out all or part of the process depending on your requirements and your budget.  This is something we agree at the start project before I start work.

If you have an idea you would like to discuss, please give me call or contact me via the website.

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Talking of the wesbite, the reason it’s here at all is thanks to Simon and Darren of Gideon Squared Solutions Ltd (see the “Site By” link at the bottom on the page) with their expertise in designing, setting up, organising, troubleshooting and patiently answering my many questions.  Nothing is too much trouble for these guys and, unlike some IT specialists I know, they speak the same language as the rest of us.  Check out their website and you’ll see what I mean.

Also, thanks to White Room Creations for interpreting my scribbles and coming up with my lovely logo.  I wanted a shed with tufts of grass at the bottom but on my original sketchy drawing, these tufts were more like prize-winning leeks.  Thankfully, White Room Creations made sense of it all.  They are based in my home town of North Shields, nearly 400 miles from where I now live – so virtual designing also rules!

Thanks also to friends and family for their comments on the site and help with ideas for name of the business and the logo.

A team effort from the word ‘go’!

Christine … from the Shed

Monday 1st September 2008

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September 2007:

Extract from an article published in “Executary Magazine” (monthly news magazine for Executive Secretaries/PAs)

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It’s jokingly called the Ancient Chinese Art of Tidying Up. Mention it and someone will invariably ask, “Do I have to knock down the walls and move the front door?” (Answer: only if you want to). There are some who think it’s too ‘New Agey’, too complicated or even just complete nonsense.

Pronounced “Fung Shway”, it’s simply about living in harmony with your environment, making the most of your surroundings and minimising or even eliminating any negative aspects. Putting it into practice, either at home or work, doesn’t have to mean drastic alterations. And it doesn’t have to cost you (or your employer) a penny.

Take a quick look around your immediate work area. How do you feel? Overwhelmed? Distracted? Bored? Or energised and eager to start the next project?

For several years I was a “career temp”, mostly on short-term assignments, and every few weeks I would start work in yet another new office. It didn’t take too many weeks of this to realise that these different working environments were affecting me – and my work – in all sorts of ways. Loud, clashing colour schemes made me jumpy, lots of abstract paintings affected my concentration, and too many light colours and shiny glass made me feel….vulnerable. Worse was the clutter: piles of paper, boxes and so many files on the floor that some nifty footwork was needed simply to get to my desk.

Eventually, the agency took pity on me and sent me to a traditional professional office who had decided to give Feng Shui a try. No abstract art, no large mirrored surfaces, only lush green plants, pictures of open landscapes, sunrises, long white beaches. And as little clutter as possible. It was a pleasure to go into work.

I managed to learn a few basic Feng Shui principles – as a poor temp, especially those relating to money and career – and started to put these into practice.

Sceptics may wish to look away now.

July 2008:

Extract from a Press Release announcing the launch of a secretarial training course in Scotland:

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P R E S S    R E L E A S E

Today’s PA, the highly-acclaimed workshop for Secretaries and Personal Assistants, is venturing out of its Central London base and running its first course in Scotland on 25/26 November at The Dome in Edinburgh. To mark the occasion all attendees will receive a free iPod nano as a “thank you”, recognising their part in the continuing success of the programme.

The comprehensive two-day course is designed and run by former PA, Paul Pennant. Paul set up Today’s PA three years ago to offer high-calibre real-life training, tailored to the needs of today’s office support professionals. Topics covered in the workshops range from managing your boss, assertiveness and dealing with interruptions, to managing projects, writing minutes and advanced email management.

Over the past three years, Today’s PA has built up a national and international reputation, training PAs from hundreds of companies and attracting delegates from all over the country – and as far afield as Italy, California and Uzbekistan. The launch in Scotland will bring the course closer to its growing number of clients in the UK.

Today’s PAs is one of a series of courses designed by Paul to provide personal and professional development for Personal Assistants and Secretaries. As Principal Trainer, he draws heavily on his experience as a PA in the public and private sector. His role as MD of a small business offers another dimension to the training, ensuring his courses reflect the challenges and changing demands of today’s working environment.