EDITOR’S NOTE:

Chima Mmeje is a talented SEO copywriter and the founder of Zenith Copy. She’s constantly posting helpful copywriting content on LinkedIn. 

A few weeks ago, she posted this:  

“I’m a Nigerian LGBT female, living in a country that criminalizes homosexuality with a 14-year prison sentence.” 

And this: 

“I’ve been thinking about leaving Nigeria since January… This country is designed to kill you, break your spirit, and take everything away… I’m tired of fighting for my life every day.”

And this:

“If a company offered to sponsor a work visa, I would take it without blinking.” 

And this: 

“If you know anyone hiring in a country that protects LGBT people, please share this with them. I’ll be eternally grateful.” 

If know someone who can help, please don’t hesitate to share this with them.

In only 258 words, Chima shares:

• What makes all the difference in producing content that ranks…

• The lesson her biggest professional failure taught her…

• Who you’re competing with as a copywriter…

P.S. Chima has also organized a program that pairs Nigerian copywriters with copywriting mentors around the world. If you sign up to be a mentor, you’ll be paired with a copywriter to do a copy review via video chat once a week for 4 weeks. 

Please join me and sign up via this form.

Thank you, Chima.

Let’s get started: 

1) “What’s your work routine?”

It depends.

Most days, I begin with client projects at 10am, take a break every hour, nap for 90 minutes until 3pm and keep working until 8pm.

When I don't have client projects, I'm working on my own stuff, which is usually updating content, writing a new blog post, or planning the next one.

2) “What do you know about your work now that you wish you’d known when you first started?”

How to create SEO-optimized content outlines. 

It makes all the difference in producing content that ranks, engages the reader, and achieves your content marketing goals.

3) “What did your biggest professional failure teach you?”

Know your worth.

Hang with people who are better than you. You'll save a lot of time and make more money. 

4) “What’s the #1 thing that has helped you shorten your craft’s learning curve?”

Reading industry blog posts. 

Unlike most copywriters, I'm not a fan of books, probably never will be. Everything I know about content and SEO, I learned from reading blog posts written by experts who have a genuine passion to teach and pass down their knowledge.

5) “What book has helped you the most over your career?”

Think Big by Ben Carson.

I read the book in 2004. It made me realize I wanted to be a professional writer. 

6) “And your parting piece of advice?”

You're not in competition with anyone. 

Be thankful for where you are and enjoy the little moments. 

Make friends with copywriters who've figured it out. Focus on building relationships rather than quick wins.