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Peter CrockerPeter Crocker: Copywriter Sydney 

Sydney, New South Wales
www.businesscopywriter.com.au

Peter specialises in business communication.

After escaping advertising agency land in 2002, Peter started a small copywriting business that works with organisation of all sizes to write websites, brochures, advertising, promotions and more.

During his nine years in the industry he has worked as a copywriter and project manager for clients such as Microsoft, Telstra, Holden, Nestlé, Vodafone, IBM, Nescafé, Jim Beam, Canon, eBay and a wide range of smaller businesses.

Peter's memorable quote
"Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue."

Articles by Peter

  • Soapbox

    Confusing activity for productivity

    It’s 5.01pm on Monday 5 January, 2009. You’re on holidays sipping a beverage, enjoying a water view. You’ve got a booking for Italian at 7.30. Life is good. Then your mind drifts back to 2008. How do you feel?

  • Soapbox

    Does networking work for you?

    With Flying Solo LIVE! fast approaching on 17 September (ok, so we may have mentioned it once or twice), there’s no better time to discuss the topic of business networking. Did I mention how much I dislike like it?

  • Soapbox

    A personal question about your website

    In my web browser, I have a folder called ‘business websites I like’. It contains random sites that, for one reason or another, drew me in. Looking back through them, they have three ingredients in common.

  • Soapbox

    Feeding the time-hungry beast

    Recently, I was talking to a friend who described his excavation business as a ‘time-hungry beast’. It sits by his side all day, every day, at night and on weekends with its gaping mouth drooling for time and attention. But I realised “That’s life.”

  • Soapbox

    I don’t love my work. Do you?

    The philosophy of “Do what you love!” and “Find your passion.” implies if you’re not bouncing out of bed every day with fire in the belly then you’re in the wrong career. But seriously, are we chasing the impossible dream?

  • Soapbox

    It’s time to get serious about online marketing

    In Flying Solo’s recent survey, you told us online marketing strategies such as websites and social networking were among the top ways to find new clients. Yet only 53% of us soloists have a website we’re happy with.

  • Soapbox

    Everybody runs their own business

    Whether you’re leading a team from the corner office, crafting clothes from the kitchen table, working in a shop or bringing up children, I hereby declare you a solo business owner. You are the CEO of You Inc.

  • Soapbox

    The easy email clients love you for

    There’s a simple email you can send to your clients or customers that they are guaranteed to love. If you want your customers to perceive you as switched on, reliable and trustworthy, read on.

  • Soapbox

    Is your business leaking money?

    There are two basic ways to keep your money box full: 1. Make more money, 2. Spend less money. I’ve always thought maximising your income through better business operations is the best way to go, but losing site of costs can be, well, costly.

  • Soapbox

    It’s a wonder anyone starts a business

    When talk turns to starting your own business, there’s never a shortage of someone to tut-tut to themselves... “Most small businesses fail you know.” “Never go into business with family.” “Don’t borrow from friends.” “Don’t work with your partner.” And so

  • Soapbox

    Sometimes I really miss my boss

    You stroll into your boss’ office, flick your resignation letter nonchalantly onto the desk and explain precisely what they can do with their stinking job. Then you swan out to the cheers of your workmates. Or so goes the fantasy.

  • Soapbox

    Use the power of channel marketing

    Selling products or services direct to customers is all good and well. But could you be missing out on a potentially larger and more lucrative marketing opportunity?

  • Soapbox

    Whipping time: The accountability exercise

    Well, it’s past 10am on 11 December so the whip’s out! It’s time to see if the power of accountability has worked for the 39 brave souls who made a commitment to achieve one important task before the end of the year.

  • Soapbox

    Is your word your bond?

    ‘Gumps’, the oldest member of my family, is a 91 year old country stockman. Back in the day, he did big deals on nothing more than a handshake. But it seems promises are getting increasingly casual. Is your word your bond?

  • Soapbox

    The accountability exercise

    Forget “New Year’s resolutions”. What about “This Year’s resolutions”? I’d like to suggest a short and simple exercise which will use the proven power of accountability to help you achieve something extremely important this year.

  • Soapbox

    Four unique gift ideas

    Okay, it may seem early to bring up the silly season, but it is officially October and this is one issue that, left untreated until December, quickly becomes a huge headache.

  • Soapbox

    How to tell if you love what you do

    How do you know if you really love your work? There are two points in the week that are sure-fire indicators.

  • Soapbox

    The bikini concept

    My last newsletter looked at selling to existing customers with the phrase "I've got an idea for you." But what about using a similarly proactive approach with new prospects?

  • Soapbox

    I've got an idea for you

    In last week's poll 43% of respondents said they would like to increase their flow of new business. Whenever this topic comes up, thinking tends to focus on "How and where can I find new customers?" But there is another way

  • Soapbox

    Hell has harbour views

    I have a friend who is a lawyer {insert your preferred lawyer joke here}.He's what you’d call a good bloke - relaxed, generous and always up for a chat. The sort of character who'll volunteer to do the books for the soccer club and put the nets up at 7am

  • Soapbox

    Do you need to believe?

    As soloists, we tend to have a fair bit of influence over what jobs we take on, and what jobs we let through to the keeper. This is one of soloism's great attractions.

  • Soapbox

    Five things I'm glad I did

    For those that missed it, in my last newsletter I listed four things I wish I'd done from day one of my solo business. This time, on a more positive note, I'm looking at five things I'm glad I did.

  • Technology

    Why the online brochure is not dead

    At the risk of suffering the wrath of website developers and online marketing consultants the world over, I’m going to go out on a limb and say “There is nothing wrong with a simple static online brochure website!”

  • Soapbox

    Four things I wish I'd done

    Hindsight is a beautiful thing, isn't it? I've been in my solo business for five years now and in looking back, can see four simple things that I wish I'd done consistently from day one.

  • Soapbox

    Part 2:Tell someone who cares

    In my last newsletter I wrote about the power of accountability and the importance of setting deadlines for getting things done.

  • Soapbox

    Tell someone who cares

    Why is the builder’s house half built? Why does the mechanic’s car need a service? Or in my case, why hasn’t the copywriter’s website been refreshed for… well, a long time.

  • Soapbox

    Your money or your life

    There's plenty in the media at the moment about the long hours worked by Australians. Then just last week, I was flicking through a business magazine and came across an article about the Head Honcho of a big global company.

  • Soapbox

    Have you eaten your frog today?

    Here's something that used to happen to me all the time, and it completely infuriated me. I'd head into my home office around 8.15am all ready to go. I'd pop back out and boil the kettle.

  • Soapbox

    The soloist 'away day'

    If you've been around a corporate environment, you'll be familiar with the concept of the 'off site', 'away day', 'strategic review', 'conference', or 'executive retreat'.

  • Working Smarter

    The key to a successful business is not talent

    The one fundamental attribute you need to run a successful business as a soloist is to be good at what you do – good, but not necessarily great.

  • Marketing

    Six simple steps for solo business branding

    Credible business branding has been revealed as a big issue for soloists. Is it our problem if people don’t take us seriously? I think it is. Here are some ways we can show the world we mean business.

  • Starting OutPast Favourite

    The highs and lows of working for yourself

    Working for yourself from home is often glamorised as a life of freedom, leisure & balance. A world where shiny silver laptops roam free and hours are spent at the beach. But what’s the reality? And is it all worth it?

  • Technology

    Listen to music while you work?

    If you listen to music while you work and you have a broadband connection (preferably unlimited), read on. I’m sure plenty of you are way ahead of me, but this is easily the best thing I’ve found on the net in the last year or so.

  • Marketing

    How business partnerships can work for soloists

    Can business partnerships help you grow your business without getting paid? Possibly. One way is to help a client build a business by putting the value of your expertise on the line.

  • Starting Out

    Is now the right time to start your own business?

    How do you know exactly when the time is just right to take the plunge and start your own business? The answer is surprisingly simple: never.

  • Working Smarter

    Faster decision making by caring less

    Soloists are generally 110% passionate about what they’re doing. Passion is a good thing, right? Maybe not when it comes to effective decision making.

  • Marketing

    Business branding: Are you really a Nudie Virgin?

    When it comes to your business branding, rather than trying to emulate others, it's more revealing to look in the mirror.

  • Starting Out

    The joy of starting a side business

    “Ditch the corporate job and go it alone” they say “Life is not a rehearsal!” But realistically, it’s hard to chuck in a good job. Have you considered starting a side business?

  • Marketing

    Four steps to getting customer testimonials

    Getting Impressive customer testimonials on your website or marketing collateral is a very powerful way to win new business. But how do you get them?


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