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A sustainability copywriter is someone who writes content with a purpose for sustainable companies. You know, I was hesitant to call myself a sustainability copywriter for a while because truthfully, people aren’t searching for it.
But every time I thought abut changing it, it just didn’t feel right. And then I realized that was because to me sustainability copywriter has two meanings.
The first is what I just said. But the second is that I’m helping you create content that won’t need to be updated when this trending cycle is over. Sustainable content is also about longevity. I don’t want to make you reliant on me *shocker*!
I want to create high-quality content that serves you over and over for a loooong time.
And to answer all of the other questions — no, we don’t charge more than other copywriters; no, you don’t have to hire one if you’re a sustainable business; yes, you can inquire with me even if you don’t have a sustainable business.
What is a sustainability copywriter
Easy! A sustainability copywriter is a copywriter that specializes in writing for planet-friendly businesses and brands thinking about the future of Earth. And if you’re new here, a copywriter is someone who creates content that leads your audience to take action.
That action could be to sign up for a newsletter, to read a blog, to make a purchase, to feel something, to learn something, and so on, you get the idea.
The benefits of working with a sustainability copywriter, like myself, are that I know the industry because I work with other sustainable businesses AND I’m a consumer in the industry! But that last one’s a bonus point.
- I follow the influencers
- I read the news
- I am constantly in the space personally and professionally
- And I have the eco-anxiety to prove it
Where does the mindful marketing come in?
From my experience — both as a sustainable consumer and as a professional working with conscious brands daily — I can confidently say we have a messaging problem in the industry.
Sustainability is a massive, complex topic that touches nearly every industry, yet the way it’s communicated? Kind of all over the place.
Now I kind of blame society and specifically the way sustainability and eco-progress is viewed in this country, but still.
- Some brands are too sciency & technical
- Some are too snobby
- Some are too aggressive leaning a little into eco-facist
- Some are too watered down, pandering to the general public who doesn’t care
- Some are just vibing using whatever words and phrases are trending and getting traffic.
Then, there are the brands that get it right — leading with their personal values, balancing education with action, and making sustainability feel human, approachable, and worth investing in.
Are they perfect? Absolutely not. But what they’re NOT doing is letting perfectionism keep them from trying.
It’s not always easy to get your values and personality and ethics and product and SEO into digestible copy that lights people up, right?
Half the brands I speak with don’t even want to use the word ‘sustainable’ because they feel like they aren’t sustainable enough.
- First of all, that’s a lot to unpack and I’m not a therapist (although I wanted to be in college!)
- Second of all, if you’re not going to use that word, someone else will. And they will win.
It’s like the thought that all money is bad. That’s not true. Shitty people do shitty things with money. But money in the hands of good people can do wonderful things.
Listen, I get it, there are days I’m teetering on the edge of the cliff of Nothing Matters Everything Is Stupid — and you can see that reflected in my writing.
But that’s exactly why sustainability brands need thoughtful, strategic messaging — because when done right, it can make all the difference in whether people care, connect, and act.
Nobody is perfect, and no one expects your brand to be.
Do I have to work with a sustainability copywriter?
You don’t have to do anything you want to do. Maybe not everywhere in your life, but definitely not here.
If you’re a sustainable business, no, you don’t have to work with a sustainability copywriter specifically. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the benefits though.
A sustainability copywriter knows the industry. And that matters because?
- We’ve worked with other professionals in the industry. (we know the competition, we know the lingo, we know the trends).
- It’s almost guaranteed we’ve done similar projects to the one you want completed.
- Some of the research that needs to be done for your project most likely has come up in other projects so it’s easier to find (and understand) information.
- We’re passionate about it — at the heart of sustainability are people who care that are trying to make a difference. It’s likely a sustainability copywriter shares the same concerns and values (I certainly do!)
But anyway, no you don’t have to hire one. Like I said, it’s your world.
- If you want to hire a full time copywriter to your staff, go for it! Someone who wants to work for you likely shares the same goals and values. Hooray!
- If you know of a freelance copywriter that’s been referred to you or you’ve worked with before and you think they would be a good fit, bring them on! Well, ask them if they’re up for it of course, and then bring them on!
- If you think another copywriter has a style/tone that better matches your brand, contact them! I personally think a major part of a successful relationship is whether the copywriter writes in the tone/style you like and whether you work well together. The rest can be figured out.
- I’m a big believer in ‘anyone can do anything’. I know this is weird for me to say but you don’t really even need a copywriter. I was a copywriter for companies long before I considered myself one. And I had friends who were copywriting within companies full-time but with completely different titles! That being said, it certainly makes it easier to find what you’re looking for if you look for a copywriter. And you have the added bonus of resting assured they know what they’re doing.
TL;DR: No — but make sure to ask whatever copywriter you want to work for it if they’re down for it. Some might say yes, some might not be interested in veering out of their preferred niche, and some might not have the availability to learn a new industry depending on the size of the project.
If I’m not a sustainable business, can I still work with you?
Well of course you can! If you haven’t gathered it yet, this is a safe space where I like to be creative, think outside the box (whatever that means). Every business deserves conscious copy!
I’m passionate about sustainability and I’m a sustainable consumer which makes me a double threat. But I’m open to working with companies outside of the sustainability industry. I’ve worked with a construction company, an excavation brand, a sound designer and much more!
Whenever you’re looking for a service provider — especially something as personal as your brand — I think the vibes are one of the most important things to consider.
If you want to work with me, fill out my contact form and let me know why you think we’d be a good fit. It doesn’t have to be an essay or anything, just a couple of sentences to let me know why you’re contacting a sustainability copywriter.
Seriously, it will keep me up at night (anxiety amirite).
I obviously can’t speak for other sustainability copywriters but if you find someone you like that’s not me, reach out and see if they’re up for it! I don’t know about their anxiety levels but I’d imagine they would appreciate a sentence or two acknowledging you saw they’re a sustainability copywriter and still chose to contact them.
Do sustainability copywriters charge more than regular copywriters?
Speaking only for myself — no. Copywriters price themselves according to the industry, their experience, their work, and their results.
My rates are a reflection of the quality of work I provide and the time it takes me to do that work.
These days I’m mostly working on SEO optimized website copy. It’s where my talents truly shine. I have a variety of services from a copy audit starting at $500 to full website copy starting at $3,000.
What do I need to know about working with a sustainable copywriter?
When first reaching out to a copywriter, it’s extremely helpful if you know:
- The budget you’re working with
- The goals/KPIs of the project
- Branding/Tone/Voice of your organization/the piece
I think the most important thing to keep in mind when working with anyone is that we’re people too. We have other projects we’re working on, other clients we’re working with, and families and friends.
Be good people.
I chose the sustainability industry because I love sustainability (duh). But time and time again I am blown away by the people I meet and the projects I work on. It is truly amazing work.
How do I hire a conscious copywriter?
This one is also easy! If you want to work with me, fill out my contact form on the website or schedule an appointment directly and let me know a bit about your organization and the project you need completed. We’ll discuss those items plus a few more things on a call and go from there!
Talk to you soon!
Hey, you might also be interested in these other posts I’ve written:
