Writing just seems to be in my blood. In fact, I actually bleed ink when I cut myself. Black ink too–which is a good thing when you consider how much you pay by the quart for printer ink these days. Too bad I can’t bottle it.
I was the geek who LIKED writing papers in school–in fact, I would have rather written 10 papers than give an oral report anyday. And thank God I was good at it too, because I certainly didn’t have any athletic ability…even I hated being on a softball team in gym class with me!
Instead, I managed to write my way into the Virginia Junior Miss Program, a Senate internship the summer before college, and a personal acceptance letter from the College of William & Mary with an essay that made my crotchety old AP English teacher cry.
But I could never see myself as a reporter—pestering grieving widows to try to get the “real” story. And I sure didn’t want to starve as a novelist waiting for my “big break.” So I majored in International Relations and went to work on Capitol Hill.
After two years in the real world, I went to Boston University for a masters’ degree in Public Relations, self-designing my concentration in political communications. My plan was to work for political campaigns like the one I’d volunteered with for nearly a year. But as my faculty advisor pointed out, I’d only have a job every two to four years. Since that could be a problem if I wanted to eat, I decided to broaden my horizons.
The good news is I also ended up taking courses in marketing, advertising and journalism, and my journalism professor encouraged me to get an article I’d written published. Since I figured I might as well aim high, I sent it off to Cosmopolitan magazine, which published my article “From Graduation to a Job on Capitol Hill” in June 1995.
By that time though, I was caught up in my marketing and PR career–including a nearly five year stint in the marketing department of a mutual fund company in Bethesda, Maryland–before I realized I just wasn’t cut out for the snooze-inducing, bureaucratic corporate world.
Copywriting & Marketing Coaching
So after more than a decade in marketing communications, I decided to launch my own business in 2003. And I’ve discovered a passion for helping other small businesses (especially other solopreneurs) by combining my writing skills and marketing/PR experience to help them attract new clients and grow their business.
I’ve also become a big proponent of creating a sustainable business–sustainable meaning both the business’ future prospects and making a difference in the world. In fact, I published a chapter in Conscious Entrepreneurs: A Radical New Approach to Purpose, Passion & Profit in 2008 called “Good for Profit — Your Social Conscience is an Asset to Your Business.”
I even published a copywriting tip in the Women’s Business Advantage Daily Calendar for July 8, 2008…
The Personal Stuff
In 2006, I moved the business to Raleigh, North Carolina, to escape the Northern Virginia traffic and crazy people (terrorists, snipers, politicians) and be a good aunt to my newly born nephew.
I strongly believe that trying new things keeps you young, which is how I’ve ended up dancing with members of the cast from Chicago (which, thankfully, was not recorded), on a flying trapeze, and going door-to-door in the cold New Hampshire winter for a presidential campaign.
One thing still on the to-do list—train with Dog Whisperer Cesar Milan. Apparently my two All-American dogs (aka rescue mutts) Roscoe an
d Lexie are still confused about who the pack-leader is around here. (Or maybe I’m just the one who’s confused LOL )
Tracy Needham
Copywriter & Marketing Coach
www.compellingcomm.com
tracy@compellingcomm.com
919.829.1539
Oh yeah, I do stained glass too when I have time. This is one I did for my parents–which I designed from a picture they had hanging in their living room.
