Carrie Ashley
Founder of Woven Copy Studio / Lead Copywriter & Messaging Strategist
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
www.wovencopystudio.com
instagram @wovencopystudio
Q What do you do?
“I do all the messaging and writing work for your brand – so you don’t have to.”
From brand messaging to website copy, copy editing, and content writing, I weave together sentences that stand for a brand’s truth, meaning, and deep connection with the people you serve.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
For me, writing has always been my preferred outlet. So going from journalism school graduate to account coordinator (/stand-in copywriter & editor) at a KC ad agency obviously came as no surprise to those closest to me.
But things got slightly spicy when I became a military spouse. I could no longer dodge the unpredictable nature of this transient, demanding lifestyle. Moving every 2-3 years and enduring extended time apart doesn’t really mesh with a long-term career doing what you love.
I needed to pave my own path forward – one that would allow me to reclaim ownership over my journey. That’s when I made the conscious decision to put the corporate world behind me. I pitched to my employer at the time to switch my full-time position to contract. And guess what? They said "yes." That gave me just the courage I needed to branch out and start building a brand to stand on my own – Woven Copy Studio.
The journey of owning a business hasn’t been easy. In my first year, I went MONTHS without new clients and took on a couple dicey contract positions for added security. Now, 6+ years into it, I have a solid foundation to stand on and grow with, while being invited to serve as the copywriter of creatives’ stories on a day-to-day basis. And let me tell you – it’s a real privilege.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I would have to say my differentiator is my ability to immediately capture the personality/tone of voice of each brand (and the person/people behind it). Even from the very first meeting. And also that I can’t hold myself back from going the extra mile for my clients. I provide SEO audits, put my eye for design to work when organizing their website copy document (wire framing it out so they have all they need – going as far as telling them where to put the call-to-action buttons and what page they should link to), and give them bonus copy so they can see their messaging in action – beyond the website copy (obviously).
Q What are you working on right now?
The beginnings of a couple brand messaging and website copywriting collaborations for a brand designer serving interior designers and a family/female-owned real estate brokerage. I also just wrapped up a fun (custom) brand naming project!
Q What’s your style?
I naturally adapt to match my clients’ one-of-a-kind voice. But overall, I like to refer to my writing style as slightly poetic with a tasteful punch. And I love to break some old-school grammar rules (read: writing sentence fragments & one-sentence paragraphs, starting a sentence with “and”). In my opinion, personality wins over textbooks & trends.
This one's a good example of that!
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I’ve always had a passion for interiors and aesthetics. Growing up, my mom would get home decor magazines mailed to the house. I remember flipping through the pages and daydreaming about how I could redesign my room next (much to my parents’ dismay lol). And thanks to the Studio McGees/Jenni Kaynes of the world, my love for interior design has only grown. So I would really like to see Woven Copy collaborating with more interior designers and home decor brands from a messaging and website copywriting standpoint.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
As a working mother in the creative industry, I’ve found myself wishing for longer, more consistent blocks of uninterrupted time to stay in my creative flow-state. Because for the daytime blocks of child care you DO get as a parent, you might feel like you’re forcing creativity – thanks to an “it needs to happen now” mindset. As a result, my best work ends up happening at night. Not what I’d prefer, but I know it’s just the season I’m in. Becoming a mother has definitely led me to become better and more efficient at what I do.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Honestly, cook nutritious meals for my family and me. I literally don’t know how people do it! Feeding myself throughout the day is never a priority of mine. Ugh, but I wish it was. I’m a WIP (aren’t we all?).
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
Take the pressure off the initial discovery call by viewing it as an opportunity to make sure the potential client is a fit for YOU/your brand. Just as much as it’s a chance for the person you’re speaking with to feel aligned with you.
Also, it’s okay to grow your own way and at your own pace. If the thought of growing to agency status makes you anxious, you don’t have to do it to be successful or scale. Follow your own path. And take note of (and celebrate) your accomplishments along the way. It’s easy to forget to give yourself the credit you deserve if/when you’re wrapped up in what others in your space are doing, accomplishing, and becoming.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
Videography and those cute little aesthetic day-in-the-life reels from content creators like @olivianoceda. How in the world does she make it look and feel so effortless? If only I could be *that* cool with my content.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
Full messaging & website copy collaborations are my bread and butter! Even better if they'r in tandem with a brand & web designer. But I’m also a big grammar nerd, so I love serving clients who are in need of a website copy audit, too. Oh, and I’m always here for repeat collaborations! My content writing subscriptions offer clients the opportunity to come back for help with on-brand emails, blog posts, resources, and more.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
I value collaborations where I feel the investment is understood and appreciated from the beginning. And there’s an incredible sense of alignment, mutual respect, and trust between the client and myself. They don’t hold back from showing me their true self and sharing the details of their story. That kind of authenticity makes my job so much easier. Also, not a necessity, but I really love when clients become regulars in my DMs and inbox – even after our collaboration is over. It’s fun for me to cultivate bonus friendships out of business partnerships.
Q What is your rate?
My messaging and website copywriting collaborations start at $4,000. For those just starting out or looking to partner at a lower investment, I also offer website copy audits – starting at $1,000. No matter the service, I have payment plans available to meet business owners where they’re at.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Fill out my contact form here: wovencopystudio.com/contact! You can also email me at hello@wovencopystudio.com.
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Grace Casey of Marrow Design (marrowdesign.com). Not only did she brand my business, but she’s also a dear friend and collaborator of mine. Copy & design go hand in hand, and I’m proud to offer clients that experience alongside her.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Peloton rides, flipping through interior design books & watching the best reality TV unfold on Bravo.
This member profile was originally published in March 2023