Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rachel Leslie. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Rachel , appreciate you joining us today. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?

AI – With its introduction in 2022, there was a lot of fear around it, especially in the copywriting industry. People were worried AI was going to replace copywriters and for a few I know in the industry, they’ve said it has replaced some of their work. While I was skeptical and worried at first, I decided I’d approach AI like I do anything new or unfamiliar to me: with an open mindset.

For us and the studio, instead of being fearful of it, we embraced it. We started experimenting with it and have integrated it into our creative writing process as a helpful tool for brainstorming, combatting writer’s block or making quick edits.

Sure, I think anyone can use AI, but I also believe AI is only as good as the user. So when it comes to writing, someone who is professionally trained to know what to look for and ask the right questions will get a far stronger result from AI than someone who prompts it to write a simple piece of content without any context.

I think AI is here to stay, and I believe it’s those who continue to embrace it, learn how to use it and integrate it into their creative processes that will make their industry expertise even more valuable.

Rachel , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I credit booking a one-way ticket to Vietnam to what’s led me to today. With a background in journalism and over ten years of experience working in marketing in the agency world as well as on the brand side, I’ve always been drawn to storytelling. Whether that was writing Southeast Asia travel guides, conducting PR for five-star luxury hotels and CPG brands, or working as a digital copywriter at Nike writing for an audience of 50+ million, the power of storytelling has remained a constant.

I grew to love this idea and the impact it can have on businesses doing good. This idea, paired with all of my writing experiences, led me to the inception of Lāer Studio, a boutique copywriting studio for heart-driven consumer brands.

As the founder and editor-in-chief, my team and I support our clients remotely with all their copywriting needs, from brand messaging guides and website copy to email campaigns,  product descriptions and the list goes on.

Since the studio’s inception several years ago, we’ve worked with 100+ clients worldwide across f+b, fashion, beauty, lifestyle and travel industries. We help them find the words they’ve been searching for to communicate their purpose. In addition to our copywriting services, we offer self-guided resources and templates for small business owners and mentorship for emerging and established copywriters.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I believe there’s so much power in fostering genuine connections with people. As the studio has evolved over the years, this has always remained a constant for me and in how we conduct business. We believe in helping people, not overpromising or making a quick buck, but genuinely supporting our clients and community.

Through this belief, we’ve been able to work with incredible businesses, brand and web designers and forge lasting relationships.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

There are almost too many books to count here, but one that always comes to mind when I think of creativity and taking a chance on oneself is Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. It’s been years since I read this book, but it always stuck with me, and in times when I’ve needed inspiration to strike or to get out of writer’s block, I think of the message in this book.

Gilbert shares her unique perspective on creativity and the thought that inspiration can strike at any time. We’re always confronted with ideas and opportunities, and what we decide to do with them at that very moment can change the trajectory of everything after that. She brings a fresh approach to creativity and how to tap into it to live a more fulfilled life.

As a business owner, whether you’re a writer or not, you’ll constantly find yourself up against decisions that, at the time, may feel like the end all be all of your business. Should I go down this road of offering this service, do away with that arm of the business or completely change everything on its head? This book can help you see things as an opportunity rather than a burden, that everything in front of you is an invitation to something very exciting that lies ahead.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://laerstudio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laerstudio/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelaleslie/

Image Credits
Leilani Banayat Photography