A Brief Encounter with ... Alison Baycock

 

Alison is director of editorial services and copywriting company, Alison Baycock Communications.
 
We asked her some questions about her work and interests and here's what she had to say:

 

Q: What would you consider your biggest achievement in your career to date?
A: Probably getting a degree in history (First Class!) at the grand old age of 29. Although I'd had several jobs before that, including running my own small vintage clothes business, none of them were really serious career options and having a degree opened lots of new doors. It also gave me the confidence to do what I really wanted, which was to try writing for a living. That was 14 years ago - and I'm still writing now.

 

Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: I love words and the challenge of finding exactly the right way of expressing something - the English language is so wonderfully rich and varied. But I also really enjoy learning about a client's business and then turning that knowledge into hardworking copy. It's very satisfying to help someone achieve their business goals.

 

Q: What do you least like about your job?
A: Copywriting often seems to be rather undervalued, perhaps because it is not seen as such a specialist skill as, say, graphic design.

 

Q: What motivates you?
A: Doing what I love and knowing that I am helping other people to succeed.

 

Q: What was your first job?
A: I worked in a pub kitchen when I was 14 - and I still remember how to make coleslaw!

 

Q; What is your favourite holiday destination and why?
A: I will always have a soft spot for Italy because of the fabulous food and relaxed way of life. But I'm currently having a mini love affair with our own sceptred isle � you can't beat the Peak District for walking or north Wales for scenery and food.

 

Q: How long have you been in the industry?
A: I've been working as a journalist and copywriter for about 13 years.

 

Q: Who is your idol?
A: I don't really have an idol, but I think Raymond Chandler and Damon Albarn are both creative geniuses.

 

Q: Do you have any hobbies?
A: Walking, reading, eating out, visiting art galleries, writing fiction.

 

Q: What was the last book you read?
A: Looking Good Dead by Peter James. I'm a bit of a crime fiend and it's set in Brighton, so I had to read it.

 

Q: What do you feel is your company�s USP?
A: I've run businesses myself, so I know and understand clients' concerns. But I am also a professionally-trained journalist and can see things from the reader's perspective, which is the secret of all good copywriting.

 

Q: What skills and knowledge do you pride yourself on?
A: Experience, professionalism and the ability to get a marketing message across that works for both the client and its customers. I'm also a stickler for detail.

 

Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
A: Living a life of leisure in the Sussex Downs (only in my dreams, though�).

 

Q: What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A: I wanted to work with horses when I was young and later I wanted to be a rock star, even though I couldn't sing and could only play a recorder!

 

Q: What subjects did you enjoy most at school?
A: English, rather predictably, and art.

 

Q: Who has been the most influential person in your life?
A: My parents.

 

Q: What music do you listen to?
A: I still have a weakness, developed in my formative years, for dark, edgy sounds - current favourites are Gorillaz, the White Stripes and Kasabian. But I also like poppier stuff, such as Hard Fi, Fatboy Slim and Faithless, which is great for the gym.