How a Lidl Review Launched a Local Writing Career | Charli Downes
Show notes
Charli Downes - Honestly Charli
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A review of the new Lidl in Bishop’s Stortford helped Charli Downes take her writing in a new direction. A year later, she returns to the podcast to talk about building Honestly Charli and turning her knowledge of the town into freelance work with local businesses.
Charli is a writer and creative freelancer working across copywriting, articles, blogs and social media. She explains how her first review led to encouragement from local readers, why she enjoys working with independent businesses, and what it means when people who have moved away say her posts remind them of home.
We also talk about showing the people behind a business. Charli shares how she approaches a first conversation with a client, works out who they want to reach, and creates content that is engaging, useful and full of personality.
Her returning-guest Stortford Spotlight celebrates a longstanding family jeweller, the campaign for a community arts space, and somewhere for young people to meet.
Find Charli here:
Facebook: Honestly Charli
https://www.facebook.com/61582293659710/
Stortford Spotlight
Local business she is rooting for: FJ Zelley Jewellers. Charli talks about its family history, jewellery repairs and giving inherited pieces a new life. She also explains that she is currently working with the business.
Community projects and causes: Friends of Water Lane Hall and Thirst Youth Café. Charli discusses the hope of reopening the hall as a community arts hub.
Alongside the importance of somewhere young people can meet and connect.
Local legend: Following a conversation with Citizens Advice, Liz Clark,
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