Blue Budgie

10/11/2024

Do you run a business in the City of Maribyrnong?

Applications are now open for the Business Elevate Program which means you can apply for a $2,000 voucher to work with me.

Blue Budgie Communications has once again been selected as a “Preferred Business Supplier” and I can't wait to connect with more local businesses. I have a few offers available that cover SEO copywriting and brand voice development.

👉 For all the info head to https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/Business/Business-Events-Programs-and-Grants/Business-Elevate-Program

Get in quick because there are limited spots and the program is very popular. It's first in, best dressed.

30/08/2024

I’m in my call-it-out era.

Today’s gripe? The 10% of people* who call themselves “values-driven” but don’t back it up by displaying the values that they profess to live by.

Values-driven? They can’t even find the ignition.

Don’t: Talk about how you love supporting/empowering women in business.
Then: Ask a female business owner to deliver a free keynote at your $1k per head gig.
Instead: Compensate all speakers for the time and effort it takes to plan and deliver an impactful keynote.

Don’t: Talk about how you want to create a better world using your expertise as the vehicle.
Then: Work with a client that’s actively destroying the lives of others (i.e. big to***co).
Instead: Tell those clients that your ethics and integrity aren’t for sale.

Don’t: Talk about how creatives deserve to be respected and valued.
Then: Advertise a job for a creative paying less than half the recommended industry rate.
Instead: Pay your creatives a rate they can survive on and pay themselves super on (creatives also need to eat when they retire at 92).

Don’t: Talk about how you care about gender equity.
Then: Make a misogynist comment or laugh when someone else does.
Instead: Find a style of humour that isn’t at the expense of others. Create spaces where women feel safe, respected and valued – equal pay, domestic violence support and leave, free period products in workplace bathrooms are a great start.

My business revenue would be a lot higher if I hadn’t stuck to the above.

If I’d laughed at that misogynist big-budget client instead of refusing to work with him.
If I’d haggled my go-to photographer over her justified quotes.
If I’d said yes to that company marketing unhealthy products to young kids.

But I’d have a hard time liking myself or enjoying my work.

Is this a bit preachy? Probably. Do I care? Not really.

Live your values. Or take “values-driven” out of your vocabulary.

*This is a completely anecdotal statistic with no official data to back it up.

📷: the wonderful

25/08/2024

It’s International Dog Day so I thought I’d introduce my Chief People and Culture Officer, Maisie and her retired brother, Wilbur.

When Maisie is not boosting morale in the Blue Budgie office, you’ll find her sleeping on a forbidden cushion, rolling in sheep poo at the family farm or giving the dishwasher a thorough pre-cycle.

For the 1 hour of the day when Wilbur is awake, you’ll find him watching Love Is Blind UK, barking at the wind and singing along to his favourite Gotye song.

They both got glowing performance reviews because

📷:

08/08/2024

Manipulation and deception as marketing techniques

Is anyone else bothered by the amount of utter BS people share to manipulate others into parting with their hard earned money?

Telling people they went from poverty to 7 figures in 12 months and for a small fee of $50k they can get you there too, when they don’t have any credentials, experience, clients or revenue.

Telling people they’re a bestselling author when they bought their own AI-generated e-book off Amazon for 1c x 50,000 times.

Telling people they’ve been featured in Forbes/The New York Times/insert other “impressive” publication when they bought some ad space.

Telling people they graduated with an impressive degree when they dropped out after one semester.

Telling people they gave up an executive job to start their business when they were in an entry-level role (absolutely nothing wrong with it, just keep it real).

If something doesn’t feel/sound right, delve deeper. Don’t be duped. Often a quick search will give you the answers you need. Fact check, aisle three!

In a cloud of BS, be the business owner that stays grounded and honest.

Yes, it might take you longer to reach your business goals. But you’ll get there with your integrity intact.

(Apologies if this sounds preachy. Not perfect. Just fed up.)

25/09/2023

Do you run a business in the City of Maribyrnong?

Applications are now open for the Business Elevate Program and you can apply for a $2,000 voucher to work with me.

Blue Budgie Communications has once again been selected as a “Preferred Business Supplier” and I can't wait to connect with more local businesses. I have five offers available that include SEO copywriting, brand voice development and content marketing.

👉 View my offers here - https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/Business/Business-Events-Programs-and-Grants/Business-Elevate-Program/CopywritingPublic-Relations

Get in quick because there are limited spots and the program is very popular. It's first in, best dressed.

👉 Apply here - https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/Business/Business-Events-Programs-and-Grants/Business-Elevate-Program/About-the-Business-Elevate-Program

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Here's what my Business Elevate clients had to say about their experience of working with me last year:

"I cannot recommend Blue Budgie highly enough. Jacqui wrote copy for my new website and managed to articulate the authentic passion I hold for my business in ways I would never have been able to. The value I've gained is immeasurable and I'm so glad I decided to outsource this. Don't hesitate - you won't regret engaging Blue Budgie!"
- Megan, Dance Habit

"Working with Jacqui has been such an amazing experience. She has created copy that was collaborative, genuine and really got to the depths of our branding. She took on my vision & feedback with everything she did and the end result has been copy for our website that is perfect. Thank you so much again Jacqui hope we can work again together in the future."
- Yanika, Big Little Things

Hop to it peeps.

12/09/2023

We all stuff up. I think I've stuffed up three times since lunch. But there are the minor stuff-ups and then there are the BIG ones. The ones that make us cringe. The ones that help us learn and grow into better leaders. Better people.

That's why when Ortto asked me to work on a new interview series about marketing failures, it was a heck yes.

For the first of our 'Mea Culpa' series, I interviewed Matt Gudge, Director of Growth Ventures at Mable about a marketing pitch that went horribly wrong. Matt was a dream interviewee - frank, down-to-earth, insightful and oh so wise.

If you're a CMO or VP of marketing who is open to sharing your 'failure to success' story, please DM me.

Let's keep talking about the stuff-ups. That's where the gold is buried.

Matt Gudge, Director of Growth Ventures at Mable, shares how a disastrous pitch led to leading a culture of marketing innovation. His journey offers insights into embracing failure for marketing excellence.

23/08/2023

Excited to be partnering with Ortto on content for The Pulse - Marketing ideas that matter now.

This month, I interviewed Katie Norbury, Head of Marketing at Paypa Plane on how the Brisbane-based startup uses traditional and modern marketing tactics to compete with the goliaths of the fintech world.

Discover the winning formula for startup marketing success. Explore how Paypla Plane is leveraging networking and targeted emails to propel growth and brand trust.

08/05/2023

What’s on for this week?

👉 Compiling a B2B comms discovery report for a client after interviewing their internal and external stakeholders.

👉 Creating a new brand voice guide and LinkedIn B2B content strategy for the same awesome client.

👉Working with a CEO on her upcoming LinkedIn thought leadership articles.

👉 Travelling to Sydney to attend Mumbrella CommsCon.

👉Helping my 8yo prepare a presentation on dwarf planets (most demanding client by far).

Someone recently asked me what I’d do for work if everything was an option. I replied, “Exactly what I do now.”

It took me a while to pursue a career in comms. I previously worked as a performer (singer/dancer, mostly unemployed) and in finance (I know, hilarious to those who know me).

After a few detours, I landed in the right career and I’ve been here for 16 years.

At the risk of sounding like the brigade, I feel immensely grateful that Mondays never feel like a chore.

What are your plans for the week? Any saucy info on Pluto you’re willing share?

📷: the incomparable

08/03/2023

My piece for Women's Agenda to mark .

Because cupcakes and poses just don't cut it.

Each year, a new sexist stereotype to internalise... Jacqui McCallum reflects on what it's like growing up female.

02/02/2023

I often get asked why I don’t have a niche. The answer is simple - I thrive on variety.

I love that one day I’m writing about the disintermediation of finance and the next day I’m writing about vaginal wands.

Which brings me to this project for Isla - a female wellness product.

When the business owners said they wanted copy that was empathetic and a little bit fun, I was in!

Cue opening paragraph - “Let’s not beat around the bush…”

The copy ties in beautifully with the classy design by Paul Kelly Creative to help the brand connect with their ideal client.

Find out more on the Portfolio page of my website (clickety click below) or head to islawand.com

Discover how e-commerce copywriter, Blue Budgie Communications helped rebrand Isla, a female wellness business.

31/01/2023

What is a copywriting retainer? And is it right for your business?

As you start rolling out your content strategy for 2023, you might be feeling a tad overwhelmed. From blogs to social media posts to media releases and website updates, you’ve likely got a ton of copy to produce and no time to do it.

Outsourcing to a copywriter is always a good idea but often the best copywriters are booked up months in advance.

Enter the copywriting retainer. A way for you to secure your copywriter’s undivided attention for an agreed amount of time every week/fortnight/month.

In my latest blog, I break down copywriting retainers like Dean Wells circa MAFS Season 5. IYKYK.

Head to the link in bio to find out if a copywriting retainer is right for your biz. The blog covers:

👉 how a copywriting retainer works
👉 the kind of work it’s good for
👉 how to get bang for your buck
👉 what happens with unused hours
👉 what it costs
👉 the minimum commitment
👉 the benefits

Bonus: MAFS references

Have a squiz to find out if a copywriting retainer is right for your biz.

👉👉👉 https://bluebudgiecomms.com/is-a-copywriting-retainer-right-for-you/

16/12/2022

I spend a lot of my working life ghostwriting articles, book chapters and marketing content for executives and entrepreneurs. It's always a nice change to write under my own byline.

I've been writing for Kochie's Business Builders for over a year now and absolutely loving it. I recently partnered with Mailchimp to write 3 articles on email marketing covering the importance of audience segmentation, automation and leveraging customer data to tailor content.

Interested in checking them out? Head to my author page.

Jacqui McCallum is an accomplished writer and communications consultant although she prefers the term ‘strategic storyteller’. Jacqui started her career at Fairfax Media writing feature articles for The Age, The Financial Review and The Sydney Morning Herald. Jacqui is regularly published in Mam...