Jonah Malin
Q What do you do?
“I am a freelance copywriter and brand junkie balancing an assortment of copywriting pursuits.”
Mostly verbal identity, messaging, tone of voice, web, and advertising projects.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
I desperately wanted to work for a hot creative agency out of college. But, I found myself as a dead broke graduate with loans, moving back to my hometown in 2017. To survive, I snatched the first job I was offered…assisting an oral surgeon for $18/hour. Every morning, I’d wake up with the sun and ride my bike two miles to the office because I couldn’t afford a car. I’d slip into the public bathroom, splash water on my sweaty body, dry off with cheap brown paper towels, and change into presentable clothes. My manager never showed on day one of work. Or day two. Thankfully, a receptionist took pity on me and asked if I’d write a new office brochure to kill time. This was my first taste of professional writing.
From there, I went on to work full-time at a tech company where I rose from lowly specialist to head of content and copy. During the day, I'd scribble out campaigns and social copy. At night, I'd write articles, mock ads, and freelance. In March 2020, I packed up my things and drove halfway across the country for a job at a small creative studio in DC. The day my lease started, the world shut down. After thirteen months, our tiny remote team was bought by a large agency. It was stable work, mostly for mission-driven organizations, foundations, and nonprofits. But I craved more. So, I packed up the car (again), and drove across the other half of the country to San Diego. I landed a sweet gig as Senior Copywriter for a creative and branding agency. Ten months in, that agency closed shop without warning.
I’m now in Chicago, creatively AMPED, experienced, and prepared to finally take control of my own destiny as a freelancing hired gun for brands and agencies.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
I’m 6ft4. So that certainly helps.
I don’t have a “traditional” background in copywriting. Most of what I know was self-taught, so I never lean on conventions or old tricks. I pull inspiration from poetry, art, comedy, and literature to find new ways to tell stories.
I’m also extremely malleable. To date, I’ve worked on supplements, tequila, clothing, insurance, eye care, healthcare, foundations, nonprofits, pro sports teams, tech, and everything else under the sun. I remember one day specifically where I named a margarita in the morning, pitched messaging to a foundation during lunch, and wrote a manifesto for a luxury golf brand in the evening.
Q What are you working on right now?
I just made the jump to freelancing full-time…so working on building my roster. I’m also diving back into creative writing at the moment and recently launched highfever.studio.
Q What’s your style?
Weird. Clever. Funny. Energetic. Inspiring, I like projects that make people a bit uncomfortable or feel something that sticks with them. I help clients push the boundaries of their imagination without losing sight of their strategy or audience.
The project that best represents my personality has yet to launch (coming to shelves near you in 2024…). However, I worked on rebranding a supplement company, which allowed me to flex new creative muscles and own an identity project from start to finish. jonahmalin.com/humanset
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
I love the food and beverage, health and wellness, and apparel spaces so I’d like more experience working in those industries. I’ve discovered a new passion for crafting manifestos as well.
Q What is frustrating you right now?
Thought leaders stealing thoughts. Ice cold mornings. The word “content.” For my career, outreach can be exhausting at times. Especially when you put a lot of care, thought, and effort into an email or application and never hear back.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Emailing, invoices, outreach. Taxes when the time comes. Endless idea generator. Just shooting off every clever line of copy that comes to mind.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
Be a copywriter, not a coward.
I used to be embarrassed about applying to known agencies without having portfolio schools or impressive internships on my resume. People will approach you because they want your unique style, perspective, and tone. Not because you interned with XYZ agency. The work is what matters. Fearlessly pursue it at all costs. If there isn’t an opportunity in front of you, create one.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
When to say no. I have a tendency to accept everything, all at once. Even if a project doesn’t interest me. Or seems suspect. I need some guidance on defining the type of projects I accept, how to professionally say no, and how to reach out to “dream” clients.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I want to continue helping brands find their voice and bring their messaging to life in fun, creative ways. Whether it be an identity, campaign, website, or manifesto. I also enjoy collaborating with designers or a team for full rebrands, launches, or identity projects.
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
I want to work with clients who trust me. My favorite (and most impactful) projects always happen when the client is open to new ideas, willing to collaborate, and believe in the process. I like people who keep the lines of communication open and ask plenty of questions.
Q What is your rate?
It depends on the type of project and length of project. For ongoing copywriting projects or long-term agency partnerships, I typically charge between $80-$90/hour. If it’s a one-off verbal identity, tone of voice, naming, website, tagline, social captions, or messaging project, I charge a retainer fee asking for half up front and half when the project concludes.
You can always email hello@jonahmalin.com if you have questions about rates or need an affordable alternative.
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Email hello@jonahmalin.com. Clever subject lines encouraged, not required. A brief intro to your brand, the project, ideal budget, and timeline would be wonderful.
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Currently, I scroll through twitter.com/thisisgrey, greatlandingpagecopy.com, and mouthwash.studio because they feature a wide variety of type, copy, design, and art. For writing inspo, I read passages from Ocean Vuong, Joan Didion, Anthony Bourdain, and poetry.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Loud music. Dark iced coffee. Pushing iron. Dark coffee. Even darker coffee. Long walks.
This member profile was originally published in Janurary 2024