Meet Claire Winter, founder of Making Words Come Alive – the female entrepreneur and wordsmith, equipping companies nationwide with the skills to write content that actually converts.

Having run the Berkshire edition of Families Magazine, for eight very successful years, she now writes for all 41 Families magazines that cover the UK, reaching 9 million parents a year. Nowadays, Claire is also keen to share her wealth of knowledge with other budding entrepreneurs, looking to transcend their content skills into big business.

From 1:1 coaching to online training, Making Words Come Alive are able to help with an extensive range of content components; creating your own PR, approaching journalists, generating strong blog ideas and creating effective content marketing schedules.

As part of our #WomenInSMEs campaign we chatted with Claire, about how she became a successful female entrepreneur:

What was it that prompted you to start your own business?

I set up my business two years ago after deciding to sell my business, the Families magazine that covers half of Berkshire.

I had been the editor and owner of the magazine for eight years, and it was the perfect flexible role for me while my children were small. I bought it when my twins were one; they are now 11! This new role allows me to have clients from anywhere in the world, helping people is where my passion lies.

Oh wow, amazing! So, what are you most proud of and what has been your biggest challenge to date?

I was really lucky to be busy straight away. I had a variety of clients from the minute I set up. I had been used to running my own business, but before I had a small virtual team to support me. I had to go back to being a team of one! I am now lucky enough to have an assistant.

The biggest challenge can be entrepreneurial fatigue and working on your own! Join real life and online communities that can support you; I run a Facebook group called Cracking Content where I give content and writing tips. Find a tribe that is good fun, useful to be in and that can support you!

What would be your biggest piece of advice to female entrepreneurs just starting out in business?

I have three bits of advice. My top one is don’t let fear get in the way, so many women I work with are scared of being visible. You are important and by telling your business story, you will engage with more people and get more customers.

My second bit of advice would be to have a plan, get a qualified business coach to help you if you aren’t sure on your next steps.

My other tip is when you can afford it, grow your team, so you can outsource the work you don’t like doing. This will then allow you to work on your business instead of in it!

Why were you drawn to the campaign, can you offer a comment on why you think it’s important?

I was shocked to learn that only 19% of SMEs in the UK are led by women. When I was a Families editor, I helped lots of female-led businesses with their marketing campaigns, and I still do with the work I do now.

I believe that online, female entrepreneurs are thriving, and we can all support each other by cheering each other on. Try and buy from SMEs and if they are selling products and services that aren’t a good fit for you right now, like, comment and even share some of their social media posts!

Working with Claire:

Stuck for blogging ideas?
You can download her blog brainstorm guide here

Join the Facebook community
Join her facebook group Cracking Content, for advice on writing and creating great content, how to contact the press, plus much more.

Sign up for Claire’s courses:

• ‘How to get PR Ready’ – Creating a press pack, how to write a Press Release and approach the press and creating a PR plan of attack.

• ‘Get Clever with Content’ – Reaching your ideal customer, creating content that works, getting clever with content and a content plan that is consistent and gets results.

• 1:1 Coaching – work with Claire’s team to create content that works for your business, they will create a bespoke content plan targeted at your ideal customer.

Please email claire@clairewinter.info if you are interested in working with her.

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