Where are my manners?
And what do we have in common?
It’s been almost a year since I introduced myself here. Very very remiss. At that point, I had precisely 161 subscribers, which I was not sniffing at.
One year on (once again, where are my manners??) 842 of you have signed up to read my posts. No Thanksgiving here, as I’m based in Northern Ireland, but I’m truly thankful for you.
That’s me above in Edinburgh. I went to a marketing conference and met up with a client, brand photographer Donna Green. She’s sensational. If you’re anywhere near Scotland and need photos, she’s your woman. We bonded over our shared regard for Malcolm Tucker in The Thick of It. Donna also knows an entire dictionary of unfamiliar swear words and writes in a Scottish accent. Visit Donna’s website and you’ll see exactly what I mean.
Anyway I expected to spend the entire shoot in deep cringe. Off we set onto George Street (only one of the busiest and chic-est streets in Edinburgh). Unpredictably (even to myself) I posed without flinching. Most marketers humans I know are camera-shy, so this turned out to be a great lesson in getting over myself. Nobody even stared or pointed. Donna would’ve seen them off with one of her Tuckerisms, so I was in safe hands.
Anyways here’s my belated getting-to-know-you 10 point summary. Potentially another cringe fest, so please tell me what we have in common after I share some of my favourites …
1 Most beloved childhood animal
Big Bird. Couldn’t love him/her more. Look at that joyous wee skip.
2 Standout opening line in a novel
Bring up the Bodies. Hilary Mantel signed my copy at a literature festival years ago, so it’s doubly treasured. I’m quite bookish.
3 Outstanding final chapter
A Prayer for Owen Meany. You need to read the whole book to see what I mean about Meany. Apparently John Irving creates the endings of his novels before writing anything else. The novelist’s equivalent of copywriting strategy - start with the goal in mind. Works for me.
4 Sing along in the car to …
Zadok the Priest. Won’t lie, I’ve had some issues hitting the high notes at “rejoice and sing”. Z the P is the Coronation Anthem, but I definitely didn’t mention it as an excuse to show you this knitted King Charles. Keep an eye on his ears.
5 Watched more than once
Fleabag. “I look like a pencil.”
And New Girl - sadly no longer with us on Netflix. My lockdown staple.
Cinema Paradiso. The music. Alfredo. Salvatore (see below). Masterful storytelling.
Best recently? Maybe Bad Sisters. I love everything Sharon Horgan writes. Or Last Chance U. I also devoted myself to watching all of Mad Men this year. Time not wasted. SO many great one liners. Christ on a cracker.
6 Most hoarded words & phrases
Other people collect snow globes or football cards. I stockpile rare turns of phrase in a word bank. That list includes embiggen (The Simpsons), she swallowed a bird (description of a great singer, by Ann Patchett) and déjà-poo (this s*** has happened to me before, courtesy of Urban Dictionary).
Confession: I also semi-collect miniature ceramic houses. Once I reach double figures, I’ll show you them. Bet you can’t wait.
7 Last job as an employee
Marketing Manager for a big car dealership, more than 20 years ago, pre self-employment. I learnt about the importance of The Follow-Up in the sales cycle. Also learnt I have approaching zero interest in cars. I suspect I’m now unemployable, what with the frequent walks and obsession with being in control of my own time.
8 Unsurpassed concert
U2 in Belfast in the late 80s, peak Joshua Tree era. I’ve still got the ticket somewhere.
9 Not-so-guilty pleasure
Stationery.
How long have you got?
Discovered Japanese notebooks this year and they blew my mind. Also tried the iconic Blackwing pencil. Underwhelming. Often sing the praises of the humble Papermate Flair. Have you tried it?
10 Coming up soon
Before the year is out, I’m planning to embiggen some other midlife women business owners with my alternative advent calendar. A profile a day - 25 for 25 - starting this Sunday. December is my birth month, so I like to go all in with pay-it-forwards. Now’s a good time to ask me a favour.
Also coming up in 2025, something interesting about homes and interiors. Still thinking that through.
Looking forward to Atomicon* as a first-timer, persuaded by great reviews and the speaker line-up. Some amazing midlife women are keynoting - Fearne Cotton, Laura Belgray and Saira Khan for starters. Plus midlife men like Rory Sutherland and Seth Godin.
*That’s my affiliate link FYI. If you don’t approve, just backspace and get rid of the last wee bit.
Over to you
Don’t be like me and forget to introduce yourself. Do it in the comments and share your Substack too, if you have one.
If you’ve just arrived at Ink Tank, hello!
I’m Sue, messaging strategist and copywriter.
My current twin interests are -
Copywriting psychology (AKA psy-copy® - I’ve trademarked it, so you bet I’m going to chuck it about) and
Messaging for midlife women.
I often write about how they interact. You can consult my free Knowledge Vault on marketing to midlife women here.
If you need strategic help with your messaging or copy project, just email Sue at inktank@substack.com
I love this. So many little pings — ‘me too’ - stationery, bookish and many other micro obsessions. Thank you for sharing.