Content Writing and Strategy – Freelance Copywriter Services

I’m Phoebe Ryan, a freelance copywriter.

Formerly based in Leeds, I now live in rural Cumbria, working in content writing and strategy.

My specialism is food and drink, but I’ve written on all sorts of projects.

The Edible Woman blog is how it all began, I suppose – writing foodie content when I got home from unrewarding jobs in SEO and PR agencies.

I was good at being my own boss. So after going back to Leeds University, where I’d studied for a First in English Literature as an undergrad, I went back for a Master’s.

After the Master’s, I decided to go freelance. I worked in publishing houses, for PR agencies big and small, and on one-off, individual projects. I still do.

Since going solo, I have been blogging less (perhaps something to do with actually being fulfilled with my 9-5 job?!), so please use the blog as a historical portfolio rather than expecting recent, regular writing here. I use it as and when.

Since May 2015, then, I have been working as a freelance copywriter, a proofreader/editor, and in content strategy. Words are my everything.

Get in touch by email at phoebeannryan@yahoo.co.uk to chat over what I could do for you and your business!

Testimonials

It’s really important for me to have a strong working relationship with my clients, where any queries can be puzzled-through and any obstacles overcome. Content strategy is always an active, creative role, but with me, content writing is too. I will help you to isolate the specific ideas that will appeal to your target audience and sit well within your specialism, finding the best ways to make your content shareable.  I turn work around within deadlines (usually quicker), and always try to exceed the standards set by my reputation for hard work and knowledgeable content writing.

Simon Fogal, Director Chapter81 and Leeds Indie Food:

“Phoebe has been working with me for many years and has been a very important member of the team no matter what job. Originally starting as just copywriting with my old company, the last couple of years her skillset and drive has meant helping C81 adapt the services delivered.

From SEO reports to managing important blogs for clients and adapting a festival tone of voice, to assisting on social media at events. Phoebe is a true professional and I would highly recommend her work, she is hugely reliable and is great asset to any team. Comments from clients include friendly, approachable, dedicated, trustworthy and knows her shit. You can’t really argue with that?”

Marko Husak, Co-Founder of Bundobust:

“Phoebe’s been working with us, as Head of Content at Chapter 81 and with ILikePress before that, since the original Bundobust Mill Hill venue. She’s written lots of copy for us over that time, from interviewing us both for longer published articles to writing onsite content for us, and she writes most of our press releases for local and national media. She always delivers on time, and most importantly she gets our tone, talking to our customers the way we would!”

Gemma Holsgrove, Festival Director of Leeds International Festival:

“Phoebe has been writing copy for the Leeds International Festival since it began, as part of PR agency Chapter 81.

 

Festivals are complex to run and deadlines are tight. With so many submissions, things tend to be fluid until the eleventh hour – but she goes above and beyond to get the copy done. From full-blown articles for national press, to our festival magazine, website and brochure copy, she can take a rough diamond of a submission and see what the event is truly about – working the copy to reveal the gem that the event promises to be. ”

 

Kiri Nowak, The Content Wolf:

Phoebe works with me on some of my copywriting projects and produces high quality, engaging, well-researched content. She has a strong knowledge of the
blogging world, is reliable, and really easy to work with. She always meet deadlines and exceeds expectations, which is why I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her.

Matthew Knight, Head of SEO at Ledgard Jepson:

Phoebe is a brilliant writer with impeccably high standards. In addition to running her own successful blog, she has extensive agency experience and substantial knowledge of digital marketing. She is incredibly adept at crafting SEO-friendly content and popular, shareable pieces for social media. Phoebe always nails our briefs, delivers work on time, and adheres to clients’ brand guidelines — maintaining the correct tone and style. She is a pleasure to work with, and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to anyone looking for a superb digital writer.

Some examples of recent work:

I’ve been Head of Content at Leeds’ indie food and drink PR agency Chapter 81 for over a year (six years, if you count the agency under its previous guise, I Like Press!).

In the past year alone, we have launched Liz Cottam’s gastropub The Owl (check out this stellar review from the Guardian’s Grace Dent), and amazing informal pasta joint Sarto. We’ve continued to work on Leeds International Festival, Chow Down and Leeds Indie Food festival (2020’s instalments of all of these being currently postponed due to the COVID crisis), and maintained our role as PR agency for Gujarati gods, Bundobust – who we’ve supported from one-off pop-up through indie craft beer and street food joint, to their current status – as moguls of the beer and food scene; they’re a four venue success story across the North. Check out Jay Rayner’s review of them: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/feb/26/bundobust-manchester-restaurant-review

I wrote most of the press releases the agency saw attain national and regional coverage, as well as writing site copy and creating one-off longer form written pieces for several clients.

• Articles in Bitten Magazine, Northside magazine, Manchester’s Finest, City Dweller, and H&N Magazine.

Links:

Click to open example PDFs:

• freelance copywriter portfolio northside article apr LIF
• freelance copywriter portfolio bundobust-proof
• http://www.rmcmedia.co.uk/magazines/northside/article/Leeds-Indie-Food-Festival-2017—the-insider-knowledge
• http://www.rmcmedia.co.uk/magazines/northside/article/Leeds-International-Festival-explores-gender-diversity-in-tech-industries
• http://www.leeds.ac.uk/arts/info/125000/centre_for_canadian_studies/1578/

Whether your business is small or large, I can help you nail your copy, whether via creating newsworthy press releases to get your name out there, launching a new product, or revamping your online presence through content curation.

Get in touch with me to see if I could help you and your business, whether you’re based in Leeds or further afield – I work remotely.

Hit my email:

phoebeannryan@yahoo.co.uk 

Alternatively, be Social – find me on LinkedIn or Twitter!