Copywriting, Writing

Navigating the net zero transition

My latest piece for CSIRO was published recently, and I thought I’d share a link here because it’s really interesting topic.

The feature was for CSIRO’s Resourceful Magazine, which is focused on content that’s relevant to the minerals value chain, from mining exploration to metal production.

I was lucky enough to speak with some researchers from the recently established Valuing Sustainability Future Science Platform about the work they are doing mapping out potential routes to a decarbonised society – and ensuring that issues of social justice and fairness are taken into account.

I think this is a really important part of the net zero conversation which is often skimmed over in favour of a technology focus, and I’m really pleased to see the national science agency starting to work in this space. I’m excited to see what happens with the Valuing Sustainability FSP over the next couple of years.

If you’d like to read the article, take a look here: Navigating a Path to Sustainability.

 

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Photo by rafael albornoz on Unsplash

Copywriting, Feature Writing

February 2023: some recent writing work

Black text that reads 2023 on a great background

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful, restful break over the festive period, and you’ve started 2023 feeling enthusiastic and energised!

Here in Tasmania, schools only went back a couple of days ago. While I did manage a few bits and pieces of work over the holidays, it’s nice to be getting those longer stretches of uninterrupted and focused time again.

I thought I would share links a few recent pieces of work. It’s great fun having this blog to look back on and remind myself of what a variety of projects I do each year.

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Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Copywriting

My latest for CSIRO

Photo shows a black, green and blue image that looks like electricity emanating from a black ball. In the corner is a box that reads 'Writing for CSIRO'

CSIRO is one of my very favourite clients.

Sometimes I have to pinch myself, because I feel like it’s a huge privilege helping some of Australia’s top researchers communicate their findings to a wider audience.

The briefs I receive from the Communications Managers across different CSIRO business units are always very thorough and clear, and every single piece I have written has taught me something. The breadth and depth of work that the national science agency undertakes is truly astonishing.

That diversity is on show if you take a quick look at the last three pieces I wrote for CSIRO.

The first: a look at the importance of biodiversity in water assessments in Northern Australia.

The second: proteins of the future, and how CSIRO is working with companies on precision fermentation.

Finally: an exploration of the work CSIRO is doing with a consortium of other organisations to examine the potential impacts of deep sea mining.

I have three other pieces due to be published in the coming weeks, and they are equally varied: they’re on carbon sequestration, indicator minerals for nickel exploration, and potential impacts on regional branding from gas development. Phew! I’ll look forward to sharing those with you very soon.

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Photo by Moritz Kindler on Unsplash

Copywriting

From graphite to hemp: my latest writing subjects

I’ve been lucky enough to work on a real diversity of writing projects recently, and I thought I’d share a few of them here.

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Photo by Remedy Pics on Unsplash

Copywriting, Feature Writing, freelance life

A New Year: Open for Business

Decorative flat lay with the text 'Happy New Year' in the centre

You know you’ve been busy when you don’t get a chance to write a ‘Happy New Year’ blog post until the first week of March.

It feels a bit late to be posting a detailed roundup of the projects I worked on during 2020, so I think I will skip that annual tradition other than to say thank you so much to all the clients and editors who chose to work with me. Continue reading “A New Year: Open for Business”

Copywriting, Writing

Huon Valley Council: Stories from the Valley

Sailboats on the Huon River in the Huon Valley

Earlier in the year, I shared a couple of posts with you that I’d written for Huon Valley Council’s new website.

I cut down on my freelance writing work a lot over the winter, while I focused on family and caring duties (more on that over on my personal blog DorkyMum), but I’ve really enjoyed being back at my desk during November and December and one of the jobs I’ve been enjoying has been writing more Huon Valley blog posts.

We normally just visit the Huon as a day trip, and if I’m honest we usually don’t get any further than a slice of pie and a flight of cider at Willie Smith’s Apple Shed, but all the research I’ve done for these posts has made me realise what a great long weekend or extended break you could have down the Valley and Far South. It seems like an especially good place for families, with plenty to do and see. Continue reading “Huon Valley Council: Stories from the Valley”

Copywriting, Feature Writing, freelance life, Writing

Spring in Tasmania

cherry blossom with blue sky in the background to illustrate a post about Spring in Tasmania

Tomorrow – the first of September – marks the beginning of spring in Tasmania. I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to some warmer, brighter days. 

Winter was a weird one this year – but then, hasn’t everything been weird this year!? There were individual days that seemed to last forever, and weeks that seemed to be over before they’d even started. Continue reading “Spring in Tasmania”

Copywriting

Tasmania: Come Down for Air

Tourism Tasmania Come Down for Air campaign launch image

I was really excited yesterday to see that Tourism Tasmania have launched their latest campaign – Come Down For Air.

The behind-the-scenes details of the brand launch, which includes commercials, videos, adverts and a dedicated Come Down for Air website can be found on the Tourism Tasmania website, while the public facing site is DiscoverTasmania.com/air. Continue reading “Tasmania: Come Down for Air”

Copywriting

Freycinet Resort website – done!

a screenshot from the Freycinet Resort website in Tasmania

I spotted earlier today that a project I worked on in June and July has now gone live – and it looks fantastic!

Freycinet Resort offers beautiful eco-accommodation on Tasmania’s East Coast. The property has recently come under new management, and the owners wanted to completely refresh their website to reflect the new direction they’ll be taking the resort in. Continue reading “Freycinet Resort website – done!”

Copywriting, Feature Writing, freelance life

Should you ever write for free?

Caption 'Should you ever write for free' above dollar bill

The question of whether a professional writer – or an aspiring professional writer – should ever write for free is one that comes up regularly in online groups and discussion forums, and it always provokes healthy debate.

One camp says no, never, absolutely not. A writer should never write for free: we should value our time and expertise; by completing work without payment we’re undercutting other writers; and besides, no-one can pay the rent with ‘exposure’.

The opposing camp would say that writers – especially those who are new to the business – need to build their experience and portfolio and writing for free is often a good way to do that.

Ever keen to find a compromise, I find myself sitting somewhat awkwardly between the two camps. Continue reading “Should you ever write for free?”