Below is an interview with The Legal Copywriting Company’s Founder and Director, Corinne McKenna.
What Inspired You to Become a Legal Copywriter?
I have always loved writing and I am a voracious reader. When I came to the UK in 2011 I was a stay at home Mum for a couple of years and in 2013 I felt ready to return to my career. Being in a new country I felt it was the perfect opportunity to go in to business for myself which is what I have always wanted to do. I had been writing a school newsletter for a few months and loved playing with words and making them as engaging and interesting as possible. My husband convinced me to specialise in legal copywriting to combine my love and knowledge of law, research, sales and marketing and so The Legal Copywriting Company was born.
What Do You Love About Being a Legal Copywriter?
I have always worked within the legal sphere and I find it an intelligent, inspiring profession that I am proud my services’ support. I am a self-confessed nerd and research is one of my passions, so this combined with writing makes legal copywriting the perfect profession for me. I do not think people realise how much research is involved in creating web pages or writing legal blogs. An 800 word blog post (I believe you cannot do justice to a legal blog in fewer words) can take anywhere from 4 to 8 hours to research and write.
What Does Your Typical Day Involve?
My days are so varied. I am often out and about meeting clients, but if I am in the office I tend to have my head down buried in research and writing. I find if I get up at 4.00 am I can get so many more words on the page, my mind is clear at that time of the morning. Unfortunately, I am not disciplined enough to do this very often!
How Do You Research Your Blogs and Digital Copywriting?
I use a mixture of legal research databases, the internet, journals and periodicals and books.
What Are the Next Big Things That Legal Professionals Should be Adding To Their Website?
One word – VIDEO. According to research one minute worth of video is worth 1.8 million words and 90% of people find online videos helpful in assisting them in making a purchasing decision for a product or service. If you are not using video on your website you need to start.
What Makes The Legal Copywriting Company Unique?
Our staff are legally qualified and we only work with the legal profession so we know it inside and out. I make every effort to meet new clients in person so I can get a true understanding of their business so I can effectively become their ‘voice’. Our company motto is ‘Make it Happen’ and we commit ourselves to turning our client’s visions of their firm’s client communications into reality.
And Finally…
Favourite Book?
It was To Kill a Mockingbird for years, however, I have just finished All Quiet on the Western Front and I could not put it down.
Favourite Movie?
Love Actually and Chocolate.
Ideal Weekend?
Exploring the wonders of the UK with my husband and children.
Wine or Beer?
Wine
Cooking or Takeaway?
I love cooking and entertaining, takeaways do not happen often in our house. I have only had McDonalds once in the last 6 years.
Favourite City?
A toss up between Vienna, London and Paris