If you want to know just one thing about me, know this – I’m a helper. Always have been, always will be.
Need a short overview? Alright, I won’t take offence…
Piqued your curiosity? Settle in, it’s story time…
Big family love
I grew up with my two sisters and allllll the children my parents used to childmind and foster. It was… LOUD. But in all seriousness, I saw how I could have a positive impact on the self-growth and development of others as I helped my parents wrangle the kids.
Crazy runner energy
As a first-born, I was of course forced to do too many extra-curricular activities but the one that really stuck was running. I represented Kent over 800m on the track and over some brutally muddy, rainy, icy British countryside in cross-country races. Athletics taught me the power of resilience and commitment and… how to run while only being able to see out of one eye because mud had coated my contact lens.
Mary Poppins and all…
After school, I got a first class degree in Primary Education and went straight into teaching at 21, no questions. The way I taught best was creative, idea-popping, fun…sound effects when reading aloud, loud classroom, big heart stuff. Kill them with kindness and definitely DO smile before Christmas.
Speaking up, mucking in
But, there was heartbreak in teaching, too. Many amazing teachers struggled in a failing system and my own mental health suffered too. Working late into the evening and weekends was chipping away at my enjoyment of life. I became a union rep to stand by the side of teachers who needed more support and later a Senior Leader, speaking up for class teachers who were swamped with paperwork and mucking in with marking and planning.
Am writing
My little joy was writing. I’ve always written in my free time (journals, poetry and short stories) but when I became English Leader at my school, I could write as part of my job every day. The school website, newsletters, training materials, educational programme content and letters – creative outlets that increased the school’s reputation and improved the learning journeys of pupils. The more positive feedback I got about my writing the more a little voice inside me got louder and said, ‘You CAN make a career out of what you love.’
New parent initiation
So, by the time I had my son, my mind was already made up. I wouldn’t return to the classroom. Instead, I’d set up my own business as a copywriter. First, though, a good 9 months of soaking up the newborn crazy, scary, what-the-hell-am-I-doing love. That time definitely went too quickly!
H. H-M Copywriting Services
Then, I was in. Reading, listening to podcasts, attending training, practising and writing, writing, writing. Once I’d built a knowledge base and secured my first regular writing job (with an AI company), I launched H. H-M Copywriting Services.
Why copywriting in particular?
It’s the action part that I’m obsessed with. The fact that just the right words can spark an emotional response strong enough to prompt an action.
Your friendly, Bexley copywriter
What now? I’ve recently been writing for small businesses near and far, start-ups and even a big brand or two! I’ll never stop learning, keeping up to date with developments in the writing marketing world and honing my craft… I’m a bit of a geek like that!
My singular aim is to help businesses reach their goals with excellent writing.
Like I said, I’m a helper. And always will be.
If you like the sound of my jibber-jabber, you’ll probably like my weekly emails! They’re full of business writing tips, plus you get a FREE email and social template when you join. Result!
Hayley Hickmott-Maurice | Copywriting Services 