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You need a Copywriting Unincorn - Mine is Cindy Suzuki from Copy Bento
103 Plays4 years ago
Calling all Wedding Pros, you need a great copy-writer. My copywriting unicorn is Cindy Suzuki. We met at our kids Japanese school in Gardena. She recently moved to Texas and her story behind this is inspirational. You must listen.
Check out this AMAZING freebie she is offering.
Cindy is offering a sales copy evaluation for 3 people. She is looking to help folks who are just starting out so please send her your story, and she will choose the ones who need the most help.
Email Cindy at hello@copybento.com
A digital copywriter, Cindy Suzuki specializes in emotional and inspirational storytelling. Her background in sales and business development coupled with her effective research style which includes interviewing her client’s clients allows her to see unique angles resulting in colorful copy that authentically connects. She has a Bachelors in English and is the founder of copybento.
She interviewed my past students and Kyra said that she booked $25,000 after our 1st coaching call and Lisa said that she couldn't have left her 9-5 if it wasn't for me. There are many more reviews you can see here. https://carissa-woo.mykajabi.com/systems-for-six-figure-success
3 point in this episode: 1) For copywriters starting out - Start writing like crazy. You get better and faster as you keep going. 2) For entrepreneurs: When starting out your business, get someone to evaluate your copy, and when you can afford it, you should just hire someone to write it for you (unless you love love love writing every single piece of collateral) 3) For dreamers: It's never too late to startCheck out the sales page she wrote me https://carissa-woo.mykajabi.com/systems-for-six-figure-success
and the copy on my photography website: https://www.carissawoophotography.com/
Contact Cindy at hello@copybento.com
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction to Cindy Suzuki's Unique Copywriting
00:00:00
Speaker
Today I chat with my copywriter, Cindy Suzuki. She specializes in emotional and inspirational storytelling. Her background in sales and business development, coupled with her effective research style, which includes interviewing her client's clients, allows her to see unique angles resulting in colorful copy that authentically connects. She has a bachelor's in English and is the founder of Copy Bento.
00:00:23
Speaker
She has done all my copy for my website and my sales page for my coaching program. And I call her my copywriting unicorn. Enjoy this episode.
00:00:36
Speaker
Welcome to Get a Heck Yes with Carissa Wu. I'm your host, Carissa, and I've been a Los Angeles wedding photographer for over a decade. I've traveled the world, built my team, and seen it all. I now coach wedding photographers hit 10K a month and build a thriving business. In this podcast, we are going to deep dive into how top wedding creatives get that heck yes from their dream clients. We are not holding back on the struggles of the business and how to push through the noise. Some healthy hustle, mindset shifts, up-leveling your money story,
00:01:05
Speaker
time hacks because I'm a mom of two, a little bit of woo woo, and most importantly, self love and confidence are just a few of the many things we will talk about. I want to give you a genuine thank you for following along my journey. I hope to inspire you every Woo Wednesday so that you say heck yes to listening to this podcast. See you guys soon.
Cindy's Client Interview Technique
00:01:27
Speaker
Hey guys, I'm here with my friend Cindy, we're new friends and I call her my
00:01:33
Speaker
copywriting unicorn and she, we met at our daughter and, or she has three kids, but we met at school and yeah, we became instant good friends because she's just like the master of copywriting and she's written my bio for my website. And when I got it back, I was literally in tears.
00:01:54
Speaker
Like, you made me sound better than I actually am. And that's what good copywriters do. So Cindy, I actually, even though you are my unicorn, I actually don't know too much about you. So instead of me telling the viewer to the audience, the bio, take it away. You could tell them about yourself.
00:02:15
Speaker
Oh, thank you, Carissa. That's really nice that you say that. I'm really flattered. Well, actually, just in a nutshell, I am a digital copywriter. I write mostly copy for the web. And I specialize in kind of very emotional and inspirational storytelling. I am a little bit unique because I have a real sales and business development background. And I also use this kind of special research style. It's very kind of basic, but I don't know anybody else that's really doing it.
00:02:44
Speaker
I would interview my clients' clients to get really the raw and real stories. So then I can use their words to kind of describe my clients, like I did for you, like I do for my other clients. And then I can really just use their words to attract more clients like them, because I think that's what we're all trying to do here. And oh yeah, I am the founder of Talk to Men. Yeah, what is it called?
00:03:10
Speaker
It's called Coffee Bento. Bento is like the Japanese lunchbox. Oh, yes, of course. I didn't know that was your company name. I just thought it was your name. Yeah, I just launched it and it's kind of taken a backseat because I just dove straight into client work. But yeah, so I'm trying to develop my brand finally and really just get that going.
00:03:33
Speaker
that's awesome yeah i wanted to ask you where did you do sales and how did you come up with that amazing unique technique because i never heard it heard about it before.
00:03:43
Speaker
Yeah.
Sales Experience and Resilience at Sanrio
00:03:44
Speaker
Well, I did sales in various corporate positions. Most recently, I'm at San Rio, where I would go outreach and find potential licensees and partners. And I did a lot of cold emailing, cold calling, and it just got me really comfortable getting rejected and not giving up because sometimes
00:04:07
Speaker
a partnership will not work out now, but you know, you can contact them two years down the line and it might be a new contact and they might be ready to talk with you again. So I think it's just kind of the tenacity. I really built that up over at San Rion. I'm really, really happy about that. And with regards to... Wow, what kind of partners have you guys had?
00:04:25
Speaker
Oh my goodness, so many big ones. We had Levi's, we had Puma, OPI, Herschel, so many, and a lot more big ones to come to. And sometimes partnerships take... Wow, those are years. Yeah, so it's been a really, really great experience.
00:04:41
Speaker
Yeah, I love that that you work with so many brands. And thank you for my Herschel Sanrio backpack. I get so many compliments all the time, more than like my Louis Vuitton that cost me a fortune. So people in the street are like, Oh my God, I love your backpack. But anyways, I wanted to ask you, where did you come up with that technique where you actually interview the clients or their past clients to get like their words for their own brands?
00:05:07
Speaker
Well, I think I was really kind of in my own head. And it's just, I was trying to get out of it. And basically, I was also trying to get testimonials at the same time. And so I just figured, you know, why not just talk to them directly. At first, it was just a technique to get testimonials. But then as you're kind of getting testimonials, you know, you start asking other questions, and then you start seeing patterns actually, in what people liked about a certain client.
00:05:32
Speaker
Like, oh, you know, for example, with, you know, a studio with Lisa, I noticed a lot of people really liked her, you know, everybody really liked her like natural nature inspired artwork. And, you know, so we try to include a little bit of that in there, you know, not overdo it. And then people loved how she was so friendly and also very fast. And, you know, so you kind of pick up on things and you want to play those up in the coffee to really attract people that, you know, want that same experience.
00:05:57
Speaker
Yeah. I mean, I had an amazing experience with you, like I said. So I know what your woo factor is or your copy-vental factor is, but tell me, Cindy, what is your woo factor? What makes you stand out?
00:06:10
Speaker
I think that's really it. How I interview my client's clients, I take that time. It's not an easy job. Sometimes it does take a lot out of you when you're interviewing maybe five different clients and asking them questions, writing full summaries, and just trying to really narrow it down.
00:06:28
Speaker
So that's definitely one of my factors, but I'm also kind of like an emotional person and in the past I think that you incorporate it wasn't Like a useful thing to be emotional. You want to always be professional you want to be on top of everything But I'm actually quite emotional, you know, I read a lot of dorky like manga and all
00:06:48
Speaker
I watched a lot of anime, read a lot of love stories, like a roll call, things like that. You know, a lot of people don't know that about me, but I'm actually, so I'm actually very emotional. So I'm able to actually write in a way that's emotional. I draw from my years of, you know, reading and writing and just kind of allowing myself to be who I am. And that emotional, being emotional is actually a strength and not a weakness. And I think that's really where my woo factor is. But I also, one other thing too, I'm sorry, I have a few, but
00:07:17
Speaker
I really like working with really busy entrepreneurs. I think even in corporate, I worked with a lot of leadership that was really, really busy. So I'm really used to getting into their rhythm very quickly. So I don't need a lot of time to kind of like onboard myself. I'll just like jump right into it and, you know, try to give them what they need. And usually it works out. So I really like working with, you know, busy entrepreneurs managing multiple projects or even multiple businesses kind of like yourself.
00:07:43
Speaker
Yeah, you're so fast. How did you get into making bios for wedding photographers? So you're actually the first wedding photographer I wrote a bio for.
00:07:52
Speaker
And it was so much fun. I love weddings. I loved my own wedding. I love just like the wedding industry. I love going to weddings and I love how emotional it is. And so I was able to, and I actually remember just being the subject of the wedding photographer, right? And then I did not like some of the poses we were in. It wasn't us. And so I just really, I was able to channel my own experience as well.
00:08:18
Speaker
as everything you were saying to write, to give you what you needed and what I thought would resonate with your audience. And just for the listeners, you also wrote my sales page for my new coaching business. And that was amazing. And I was a little embarrassed when you asked me to speak to my past clients, but I'm so glad that you did because
00:08:39
Speaker
I had no idea that I got them those results. I mean, I literally like through your copywriting, I changed their whole business and I changed their lives. So that gave me the confidence to like really move forward with this coaching business and know that I could get people crazy results. So thank you for that.
00:08:54
Speaker
Oh my goodness. Yeah, I didn't know you didn't know that, but they were raving about you. That sales page was a beast of a page, but I had so much fun. I loved writing in your voice and everything you told me over the phone. I know we didn't even have a very long conversation about it, but everything you told me over the phone really resonated and we just wanted to get... Yeah, exactly. What did you do for your clients? For one of them, she booked $25,000 immediately after your program. That's crazy.
00:09:24
Speaker
And that's so amazing. Give me some of that commission, dude. I'll give you some, too. Yeah, seriously. I mean, that was amazing. I got goosebumps just like hearing that. And, you know, another one was able to leave her nine to five. And she said, if it wasn't for you, she would probably be stuck there. And, you know, that's really crazy because they changed their lives completely. You know, and others wanted to expand their network and they were they didn't know how to do that. And you really showed them.
00:09:52
Speaker
And it was just really nice to connect with them. And it just made that copy just all that much more interesting and authentic. Thank you. That makes me so happy. So enough about me. Tell me, Cindy, what is your biggest accomplishment in business?
Transition from Corporate to Entrepreneurship
00:10:08
Speaker
In business, I would say just starting was my biggest struggle. I am a corporate gal. I have been very institutionalized. And there's nothing wrong with that about what you want. But for so long, I knew that's not what I wanted. My dad was an entrepreneur. He made his own hours. My brother is. And so I knew I had it in me to do it. And I'm not sure what it was that took so long to just get started.
00:10:36
Speaker
You know, I don't actually feel like I wasted my time, though. I feel like timing is really important. If you're not ready, you're not ready. And, you know, when you are, you'll know it and you just you just jump in when you're ready. And so I've learned, you know, like I was telling you, my, you know, my job at Sanrio, I've learned so much. And so I could definitely apply all the learnings there into what I'm doing now. So I would say that starting is just my biggest accomplishment so far.
00:10:58
Speaker
Okay, yeah, so I'm a coach, as you know, and I usually ask this question at the end, but because you're a little bit newer with the wedding photography industry and starting your own business, if you had a magic wand, where would you see your business in three months? Because I know you're going to grow exponentially. So this is a good question for you.
00:11:17
Speaker
Thank you. I really want to have a handful of unique digital products. I love client work, but I do have three children, so I can't spend every waking hour. I don't want to trade my nine to five for three or four different bosses. I want to have some more freedom, and so I really want to create very useful, unique digital products.
00:11:39
Speaker
that help entrepreneurs or copywriters just starting out. And I really got to get my website up and running. Like I said earlier, I kind of put that on the back burner. And so I just want to really develop my brand and move from there. Yeah, I think that's kind of where I want to be in three months.
Ambitions in Digital Products and Crypto
00:11:55
Speaker
Yeah. So what kind of digital projects are we talking about?
00:12:01
Speaker
They're kind of unique, so I don't know if I want to say too much yet, but I do kind of want to get a little bit into like the crypto space too. Like interesting, possibly NFTs and things like that, a little bit different just because there's nothing like that out there. Right now, there are writers in the crypto space, they're writing books in the NFT format, and it's really, really interesting to me. And so I just kind of want to see what I can do there.
00:12:28
Speaker
Yeah, my cousin just wrote a book about NFTs and I was like, you're speaking a different language. I don't want to talk to you anymore. It's different. It's weird. And I think that's kind of what makes it so, you know, exciting. You can do what you want. It's the Wild West out there. So just really, I mean, we don't want to do rom-com loves like photography. Come on. For sure. That's definitely going to be in there. So
00:12:55
Speaker
I love it. So what are we talking about today? What is our hot topic?
00:12:59
Speaker
Let's see, what do we have today? Well, I wanted to kind of give three pieces of advice to kind of three different audiences. And it would be kind of copywriters, entrepreneurs. I guess the folks in your industry would be like the wedding photographers. They're also entrepreneurs. And then also the dreamers. And really for the first one, it's copywriting. Whether you're doing it for your own business or you're trying to be a copywriter, I think it's just kind of
00:13:28
Speaker
You know, just start writing. I think it's kind of cliche advice, but it's so true. If you just kind of start consuming too much content, you just get paralysis on, you know, Oh, which way do I do trying to make it? And I think that applies across all business where, you know, you're so caught up in just the learning mode that you're not executing anything. And those really have to go hand in hand.
00:13:47
Speaker
They think that's why a coach is so important, actually, because that coach will, you know, like, you've really shown me that a coach will direct you, they'll, they'll teach you, but you'll also put it into action. And those things, you know, one cannot live without the other. And so, yeah, it's really kind of inspired me to also get my own coach, you know, in this space to just because I don't want to Yeah, I've never considered it before. And just after this really learning about, you know, your program, and everything, I just like, Okay, I got to get a coach, it's just gonna be so worth it.
00:14:18
Speaker
What is your coach specializing in just helping you with the business? Yeah, I think so. There are definitely coaches like you in the copywriting space that I've been following too. I'm learning a lot directly just from you as well. Just talking with you, I'm learning a lot. But I think just someone who's been there, done that in my space like you're doing for the wedding photographers.
00:14:38
Speaker
I'm definitely interested in that and for you know entrepreneurs you know in terms of writing your website especially like something as emotional as weddings and photography you know photography is like visual storytelling right you're telling the whole story of the wedding and
00:14:55
Speaker
For the most part, on your website and your portfolio, your photos will do the trick. Your photos are so beautiful. It's just like, oh, I really want to work with her. So you click on that link, and then you look more into it. And the copy is what's going to seal the deal. Well, so you have your branding, your photographs, and then you have your copy. It's the last sales pitch you can make before you're like, all right, I'm going to book you.
00:15:18
Speaker
And so you don't want to leave your copy up to chance and just kind of write what you think is right, because often what you think is right, not be right for the client. And so you just really want to be able to resonate and you want to attract the clients that you want to attract, you know, whether it's in the $1,500 range or the $5,000 range, you want to talk to that audience. And so
00:15:37
Speaker
Um, even if you cannot, um, afford to hire one, I think you should at least get, you know, somebody to look over the copy and say, you know, does this make sense? Is it clear? Because it might be clear in your head, but it might not be clear to the person reading it. So that person, even if it's just a friend or like some other, um, you know, even a person like, you know, studying, um, journalism, any, anything, somebody that can look at it and say, okay,
00:16:01
Speaker
you're going, but this could change here. I don't understand what you're saying here. So it's just a second eye. And I think once you can afford it, you should just hire a copywriter unless you love, love, love writing because there's so much. You have to write your website copy. You don't want that to go stale, so you want to refresh it every once in a while. You have your social, you have your newsletters, you have your PR, you have your articles. There's just too much to write.
00:16:23
Speaker
And if you're trying to focus on that, you don't want to get caught in the details. And if you can find somebody good, you know, you can definitely work with me. But also, there's so many easy ways to find copywriters. They're all over Instagram. You could go on LinkedIn and just do a call for papers, call for proposals. And you can get like five different proposals in a matter of minutes. And so it's just easy. So I think it's something people should start kind of considering. Just it can only help you.
00:16:52
Speaker
Okay, so your point number one was just to keep writing. Do you recommend people just taking a journal and just writing about their day or writing about that wedding that they shot or just writing an Instagram caption? What is your thought process of people just picking up a pen? Because for me, when I write something, I want to hide under a rock and never look at
Advice for Aspiring Writers
00:17:15
Speaker
it again. I'm just scared of writing. It's like the scary monster.
00:17:19
Speaker
Which is so funny because my sister's like this crazy award-winning journalist, author, everything's over, complete opposite. So you have any recommendations? This is for your tip number one.
00:17:30
Speaker
Yeah, for sure. I think, yes, just get out there and it's not going to be perfect the first time. And that's okay. And I think it's just good to keep going because in a few months, no one's going to be looking at that very first post from three months ago. That might as well be 20 years ago in internet hours, right?
00:17:49
Speaker
Let's keep going. If you want to learn, there are definitely good books that you could buy on Amazon, courses on Udemy, just other copywriting courses that are out there. And some of them are not that expensive. Udemy sometimes goes on sale for like $10 that you can get a course.
00:18:05
Speaker
just a basic writing course and you know if you're I think you know some people try to like edit as they write you know don't do that just just write how you talk and just go at it and just keep going and you will get better you will get faster it's just really practice makes perfect and just
00:18:23
Speaker
Well, and not even perfect, it's just practice makes better and you'll keep improving if that's what you want. If you're just trying to get by right now and then try to make more money, then yes, maybe hire a copywriter later, but for now, just keep going. Don't get stuck.
00:18:38
Speaker
And also, I think if you're new to it, maybe don't try to be too witty and cute. And because people love, you know, like, you know, with Nike, it's like, just do it. It makes sense for a brand of that caliber, you know, but if you're trying to be, you know, kind of witty and clever and smart and then your brand, I'm not sure if your audience is going to get that, you know, so it's just it's OK to be Nike. It's OK to not do that.
00:19:06
Speaker
So, you know, you can always be inspired, you know, know where you're at and then just do that. And then, you know, really get feedback from your audience to talk to them and see what's working. Have you always been a good writer? I think good is kind of like, you know, it's like relative, right? Because some people actually might not like my writing style at all. And some people love it. And so, but one thing is I've always loved writing. I liked how there was no
00:19:33
Speaker
definitive right or wrong way to do it. You know, like math and science are kind of like, this is how, you know, one plus one is two and there's nothing else you can do about that. But I really liked how writing, you know, in my like language and English classes, you could write an essay and as long as you could kind of, you know, make sense and have a point and have a conclusion.
00:19:51
Speaker
and just share what you're thinking, it was good enough. And so I really liked that about writing. And so I kind of carried that with me my whole life. I've worked in publishing my Bachelors and is in English. And I've always kind of wondered, what the heck am I going to do with this English degree?
00:20:09
Speaker
because I had no interest in being like a journalist or anything like that. So I didn't know, but I just knew that it would be beneficial and it's what I liked. So I'm going to stick with that. And for years, you know, I was just like, okay, I don't know what this degree is really doing for me. But like, finally, you know, the dots are like connecting and it's just, you know, you know, I'm so glad of the choices that I made and it's kind of all coming together now, finally. Good job. Where did you go to college? I went to UCI in Irvine.
00:20:38
Speaker
So I went through my four years there. Awesome. Okay. So point number one, which is right, right, right. Point number two is actually hire a copywriter and you would be my go-to girl. And then your point number three is take it away.
00:20:56
Speaker
Hey guys, a little commercial from yours truly. Are you tired of meeting with wedding couples and then waiting and waiting for a decision? Or worse, getting ghosted completely? Whether you're a new photographer or just starting out an experienced pro or anywhere in between, you can change that dynamic right now. I created an ebook and mini course about how to master the dreaded sales call and get that heck yes. It's only $37 so get yours today.
00:21:22
Speaker
It's really for the dreamers out there, whether you have a business now or whether you want to change your business or whether you're just... I feel like you're attracting people who are just starting their journey too. Keep dreaming. Who cares if you're 20 or 50 or 60, whatever your age. Don't let that stop you because you have this one life and you're thinking about this business or this idea possibly for a really long time.
00:21:47
Speaker
And maybe you feel like it's too late, but it's really not, you know, just just go for it. It's it's so worth it. And, you know, the experiences that you're going to have along the way and the people you're going to meet, it's just this is what life's about. Right. Just, you know, going for it and, you know, doing, you know, making sure you don't have regrets and being proud of yourself. So I really just want to say that, you know, keep dreaming. Wow. I love that. I know I asked you the magic long question, but I feel like there's like a difference between you from now.
00:22:17
Speaker
and maybe three months ago. And I feel like you have the sense of passion and dreams. I think you've gotten over a lot of your hurdles. I know you said it was hard to get started, but what was your biggest struggle in the past couple months with your business? With the business. I think the past couple months, it was
00:22:39
Speaker
I don't know. It's been so good in the past couple months. I think it's really good. It's still in that kind of like honeymoon stage. And so I really, yeah. And so I'm just like, you know, I'm falling deeper in love. And so it like the things have been hard and I've had to, you know, do work harder than I ever have. But it's, you know, at least I'm, you know, working towards something that's meaningful to me. And I feel like I'm actually helping other people, you know, and so that feels, you know, really, really good. And but you're right. It was, um,
00:23:09
Speaker
I think at first you're kind of just saying, oh, I'm going to do this business. And you're just kind of saying it to almost like trick yourself or like teach your mind to believe it. And then I think now finally there where I'm like, OK, I'm really doing this. I'm going all in. There is, you know, and I'm going to enjoy it. I'm going to fail. I'm going to succeed. You know, all these things like I'm OK with, you know, with the road ahead. And it's a road I've never seen before. And so I'm just I'll let you know about all the
00:23:38
Speaker
successes and failures soon. Yeah, that's awesome. Just for our listeners to know that you lived in Torrance before and our kids went to the same Japanese school. And now you just moved to Austin, Texas. So sad to see you leave.
New Chapter in Austin, Texas
00:23:57
Speaker
So how's the transition? I know you just got there. So what's it like over there?
00:24:01
Speaker
Yeah, it is definitely different. Like the scenery is very different. It's a lot more country in this area of North Austin than I thought. There's kind of some like really ugly strip malls that, you know, they're not good at all.
00:24:16
Speaker
But so far, I think it's just, you know, we did it. You know, we sold our house. We packed up our stuff into one container. We've been living out of suitcases since June. You know, we had to transition our kids over, you know, a three hour flight over there, you know, with a baby. And, you know, we just feel like now we can kind of like relax a little bit for the past couple of months. I've been from, you know, our house to an Airbnb to a hotel to our in-laws. We were just been jumping around. So
00:24:45
Speaker
That's been really tough to do. But now we're going to be here for a few months in this Airbnb, and then we're looking for a house to buy. And so we're just kind of really excited to get settled and just kind of really proud of ourselves, our family. And our kids are doing amazing. They've transitioned so well. They're really good champs. Yeah, so really grateful for that. So are you still working at San Rio? And did your husband get a new job, or is he still the same?
00:25:12
Speaker
Yeah, my husband, he is fully remote. So he's kind of good. He could really work anywhere. And yeah, Sanrio, I've kind of transitioned into a more of a part time position just to help with their transition, you know, to just because it's the role I had was very tricky. And so I think my boss really wants to find somebody that, you know, fits the culture that can do the job. And so until they find that person, I said, you know, I'm totally happy to help. And, you know, so I'm still kind of sticking around and
00:25:42
Speaker
working on San Rios stuff as well. Wow. So moving to Texas was just because you wanted more space? Yeah, I think, well, more space. We love Southern California. We're both born and raised and such a SoCal person. Love the multicultural, the diversity. We love all of that, but we did not love the 405 and traffic.
00:26:06
Speaker
how expensive everything is. And just this, like we realized during the pandemic really showed, there's just this like undercurrent of stress that we're always under. We don't know what it is, but maybe it's just looking for parking or just, you know, possibly getting into a car accident. I'm not really sure what it was, but it was just this underlying stress that my husband and I both had. And we weren't quite sure if it was because of LA, because of, you know, we had so many obligations and things to do. And we were just kind of,
00:26:34
Speaker
just with stress. So when the pandemic hit and we were able to sit back down and really reflect on what we wanted, living there and raising our kids there kind of didn't fit that picture. We really wanted to feel free and
00:26:49
Speaker
I'm not really sure in what ways we wanted freedom, but we just didn't want to be chained down by anything. So we got rid of the house. We're like, okay, even if we buy a house, we're not going to let that chain us down anymore. If we want to move, we're going to move. We're going to sell it and move on. Even with family and friends, it was really hard to say goodbye.
00:27:09
Speaker
you know, we're going to be back every, you know, so often and we have text messaging still, you know, we have things like that. So, you know, we know that we are trading off something, but we feel like there is something to gain from, you know, making these big sweeping changes, being around different types of people. And so we're just trying to really look at, you know, what we can gain versus like everything that we've lost and, you know, everything that we'll miss.
00:27:34
Speaker
Wow, I totally resonate with you on everything you're saying. I think like where we live, there is like this underlining, like pressure or stress that we have just getting caught up. I stumbled upon this cute little bookstore in Palos Verdes, but I forget what it's called. It's like the things you only see when you slow down and forget the author. And it's just like, oh,
00:27:57
Speaker
like our minds are so busy, like are we really busy? So it just kind of slowing down your minds. But I think you and your family or you and your husband just really realized that and just needed to take the jump or the leap to make like a new beginnings for you guys to just change that mentality. So that's amazing. That's very inspirational to me. Thank you. Yeah, we you know, we don't know what it's going to look like. We don't even know if we'll like it. We've actually never even visited Austin before we decided. Oh my God.
00:28:25
Speaker
That's crazy. Yeah. So every little, you know, win that we have like, Oh, the kids like the daycare. Oh my God. They're actually having fun for the first time. My, you know, my, uh, my middle child, um, he's not crying like on the way into class. And you know, we noticed those things now and you know, it says a lot and we just, you know, we appreciate it so much more.
00:28:48
Speaker
Yeah, I'm trying to slow down too. I'm trying to give away as many little shoots as possible to my associates and just focus on the podcast and the coaching business. So I don't want to be driving, but I think driving and the parking is a big added stress, like hours on the 405, like you said. But you know what time it is? It's time for a rapid fire question. Are you ready? Yeah, I think so.
00:29:15
Speaker
Okay, so Sanrio probably won't hear this podcast, but what was your favorite job and why? Oh, yeah, for sure. It is Sanrio. Sanrio has a lot of issues in itself. I do know that, but I just liked how much freedom they gave me to explore and make mistakes.
00:29:38
Speaker
And it just really kind of taught me like the art of like selling and just like negotiating and all that stuff. So, um, and the characters are really cute. And then the, the people that you, that get Sanrio that understand like Hello Kitty and what it could do for their brand too. They're just really great people to work with. So I, you know, I've been lucky that I get to work on all like the collaborations and the fun stuff, you know, straight up licensing, which is not as exciting sometimes.
00:30:04
Speaker
But yeah, for sure, being able to work with major brands and at the C-suite level, it's such a good experience. I don't know. It was hard to leave. But yeah, it's still a 9 to 5. Yeah. Cool. Okay. So what is your number one selling tip, technique, or hack?
00:30:27
Speaker
I think in making sure you do your research, research who you are outreaching to, make sure you know what they stand for. Do they have little philosophies? Do they align with yours? Do they have anniversaries? Do they have something that connects you to them? Do they like Japanese culture? I don't know. There's just so many things you can learn about them before you make your first move.
00:30:53
Speaker
Wow, yeah, that's very, very good. Even I do research with my couples, if they DM me on Instagram, I always, you know, stock their feed and try to come up with some sort of like relation to them or similarities. So we have some sort of common ground, but that's so important, not just a cold outreach like, Hey, you, you know, right. Yes.
00:31:14
Speaker
Okay, since I am such a lover, and you're such a lover, tell me about your wedding in a nutshell. And what did you dislike or like about your photographer?
00:31:24
Speaker
You don't have to do it. Yeah, no, the wedding was great, actually. So my mom actually passed away around the same time as my wedding. Oh, very, very like emotional. Yeah, that's kind of what made it so like special because it was like a tribute to her as well. Fortunately, a lot of people couldn't meet her. But, you know, she was, you know, I felt like she was still there. And, you know, she's like watching, you know, from above. And, you know, it just kind of gave this
00:31:52
Speaker
you know, just a little bit more, like a deeper feeling that, that it wasn't just, it was a celebration of like two families coming together, but it was also like a celebration of like life. And you know, I think a lot of people there, it's just like, they didn't, you know, they stopped for maybe for that moment to stop taking things for granted and just like be like appreciative.
00:32:15
Speaker
it's gonna be gone like, you know, whether you know, we want to admit it or not. You know, I think that was really special. Our photographer was great. I think it wasn't them. It was me as a client. I was probably not an ideal client. I negotiated, you know, I tried a lowball offer and it's all the thing that
00:32:37
Speaker
make me kind of sick about myself now. So I try to get the biggest bang for my buck. And then I think when you try to do that with somebody, they kind of deliver in a way that meets that price point. So I should have just gave them the respect that they deserve.
00:32:55
Speaker
they were charging. And then I possibly could have gotten a better reaction from them too. It did take a long time to get the photographs, so that was kind of annoying to be honest. But the photographs that we did like, they came out good. But there was a ton that I was just like, oh no, I look... I don't know, this pose is so cheesy. I hate it. And so there was probably 30 shots that I really loved and a few hundred that I couldn't stand.
00:33:21
Speaker
That's so crazy. Yeah, going back about like what you said about your mom and just this is what weddings are all about like two families coming together and just really being present and like, it doesn't happen all the time. And especially after COVID, like no one even saw each other for like a year and a half. And so these time together that we have as you know, two families, it's very, very rare. So like that moment that day is just so special.
Cherishing Wedding Moments
00:33:45
Speaker
And
00:33:46
Speaker
and taking it all in and just knowing that to not take for granted like anything and you know if your hair is out of whack or you know you get your period the day of the wedding like I did like you just have to kind of brush it off and yeah hey this is like literally like a very important day in our lives so just enjoy every second and I always coach my bride and groom's like hey take a minute like take a deep breath and like just look around you and like taking the moments because it goes by so fast
00:34:14
Speaker
Yes. Yes. Yeah. I really wish that more photographers would do that. And I think they have a lot to learn just from what you said right now. It's like, yeah, be there for the couple. And you're not just there to take pretty photos. You're so much more than that. And I think people have a lot to learn.
00:34:33
Speaker
Oh my gosh. Okay. I'm like kind of running out of questions. Can you ask me a question? Yeah, sure. Let's see. What made you want to do coaching? And, you know, I know you can help a lot of people, but what, you know, what, what got you started on all of this?
00:34:51
Speaker
I think I've been coaching for my whole career because people would reach out to me and want to shoot and they would be new and I would help them a lot and they would say like not a lot of photographers would do that for them. I would give them all my resources, all my knowledge and I've helped like maybe in my days like five or six wedding photographers go from quitting their nine to five to becoming a full-time wedding photographer making
00:35:21
Speaker
you know, good income and loving what they do. And they still do that to this day. So I think I've always been like a coach at heart. And during pandemic, like you made this big transition to Austin, but you know, I found that I do like my lifestyle to be kind of paced at a slower rate. I was on the treadmill and I couldn't stop. So everything finally stopped. And you know, I got to kind of
00:35:43
Speaker
take a step back, I had another baby, and just realized like, you know, I don't want to be gone every single weekend. It's such a grind. And it's taxing on the body with like two cameras and all the flashes and lighting and bags and
00:35:58
Speaker
you know, on your feet for 10 hours. So I just realized like, I wanted to create this curriculum. And I'm really good at like, the sales call, just asking the powerful questions and really getting to know them. So that's something I specialize in. And I also specialize in getting on the venue vendor list, which is the Holy Grail. And a lot of people don't know how to do this. So those are like my two big things I could help photographers overcome. But yeah, I just
00:36:26
Speaker
loving the journey so much and you totally helped me in every way because me and you always talk about like we found each other like it was some sort of like energetic chemistry the universe like wanted us to meet because you know after we met at
00:36:44
Speaker
you know, you, you hire me for a photo shoot for your family. And then we didn't know we went to the same schools or kids in same schools. And you're like, Oh, is that Carissa Wu? Like I recognize your jacket or something you're wearing, um, shop blue mare. Um, and we just kind of hit it off and you were starting copywriting. So I was like, okay, like let's do this. Yeah. So you've been amazing. And like, I think my business has, you know, blown up because of you because of,
00:37:11
Speaker
the sales page and the email sequence and everything that you could do. And like you said in the very beginning, you don't need that much time. You could channel my Carissa Wu energy in 15 minutes and just go regurgitate it on this beautiful page of words. You're like the wordsmith, the unicorn of copywriting, the bento box unicorn. Yeah, it's just been amazing. So you could tell the
00:37:38
Speaker
listeners that what you're giving for free, which is super amazing. And people should totally hop on this because it's only how many people that you're doing this for? For three. Okay, so tell us what you're going to give us all the goods. Yeah, you know, I'm not there in my business where I can have like a downloadable freebie. So I really wanted to do someone online, especially with people who are just starting out.
00:38:02
Speaker
And so if you need kind of like sales copy evaluation, you know, I'm happy to do it. I really want to help somebody that's just starting out or just really, really needs the help. And so they could just email me at, um, hello at coffee, bento.com. And I'll kind of evaluate which ones, um, you know, need it the most or which ones are just starting out and which ones kind of resonate with me. And, um, we can go from there, but yeah, I would love to do a quick evaluation of their call.
00:38:26
Speaker
I love that. I love that. So nice. Like when you did my first call, it was very flawless and effortless. And when I got back the bio, like, you know, in a week or two, I was blown away. So you guys better hop on this offer now.
00:38:42
Speaker
any lasting advice Cindy for anyone starting out I know you said your whole spiel about the dreamers and you know writing and hiring copywriters and where they could find copywriters but just anything that you could give your lasting words for today.
00:39:00
Speaker
Yeah, for sure. I think this is a hard one, but I think really looking for a coach is kind of my priority right now. And I think that other people should really consider it too. If they weren't thinking about it before, really look at yourself. It could be even $10,000. Is that investment? Are you going to get that back? And how quickly will you get that back? Because some people will get it back in a matter of months and then some.
00:39:28
Speaker
And so it's just really looking at an investment as a mentor, somebody who's really cheering you on, somebody whose success is tied to your own. And those are the people that really want you to succeed. And so just having somebody in your back pocket like that, ever since meeting you, I've just felt like that's
00:39:46
Speaker
That's what I got to do. And, you know, I hope other people will definitely, you know, if the people who were on the fence, just go for it. People who weren't considering it, you know, really just think about it because, you know, it's it's better than going to, you know, school for it because you won't find it at school. You know, you've got to find the right one that fits you right now. Cool. I love that. Thank you, Cindy. I love their conversation. Thank you so much. Had a lot of fun. All right. I'll talk to you later. OK.
00:40:16
Speaker
Alright. Okay. Bye. Bye. Thanks for joining me this week on Get a Heck Yes with Carissa Wu. Make sure to follow, subscribe, leave a review, or tell a friend about the show. Take a screenshot and post to IG. Tag me. Also, don't forget to download my free guide on how to become a lead generating machine. See you next time, wedding pros.