Conversations with Ally Levise

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ally Levise.

Hi Ally, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started my marketing career in beer. We had a scrappy team at Oskar Blues Brewery in Longmont. Though I was officially in the merchandising department, I was able to jump in on all kinds of creative projects. In between packing merch orders, I wrote product descriptions, sales materials, and web copy. Then I wrote blogs and emails and social media captions. I wrote a little bit of everything, and I ended up in a PR management position. I’m endlessly grateful for that job and all the experience I gained there.

Since then, I’ve earned my Master’s Degree in Creative Writing from Regis, dabbled at a Denver agency, and now I’m managing content for The Green Dragon CBD, an e-commerce site that ships CBD, THC, and other products nationwide. I also stay connected to the beer and outdoor industries by freelancing for Turn It Up Media, a Lyons-based Media company that’s wildly effective at getting media mentions for their clients. I live for these edgier industries, where you can be really creative, put yourself out there, and take educated risks.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I had no idea how good I had it at Oskar Blues in terms of a supportive team environment, growth opportunities, and creative freedom. There were some rough times after I left that job. I had a gig that was so boring I absolutely had to quit (even though the money was great). I had a job where I was replaced by ChatGPT. I had a terrible boss who I still have nightmares about.

But I had to go through all of that to be in the position I am now – happily fully remote, working for a great family-owned company at The Green Dragon CBD, and doing some very stimulating freelance work on the side for industries that I love.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’ve developed an approach to copywriting that I call ART, which stands for architecture, research, and twist. Good copy starts with effective architecture – a goal-driven (SEO-informed) structure that will guide the reader effectively through the piece. Then comes research into your audience, what competitors are doing in the space, and what’s happening culturally at the moment. Finally, comes a creative twist that will stop the eye and start the sale. If you can do all three of those things, you’re going to end up with a piece that stands out.

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
We’re becoming inundated with ChatGPT-created words and images. BUT I’m hopeful there will be a cultural pendulum swing away from soulless computer-generated words and images, back toward an appreciation for the skill, wit, and heart of human-powered creative.

Read something written by ChatGPT today and it’s missing something crucial – an original thought. And ultimately that makes it boring. I think, in the near future, people are going to tire of it, and start placing more value on 100% human-created art. Maybe I’m just dreaming, but it’s a nice dream.

Pricing:

• Copywriting & marketing services for as low as $40/hr

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thereadinglady.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allyreadsalot/?hl=en
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ally-levise-mfa/

Image Credits
Photographers: Amelia Vilona (headshot), Sean Patrick (mountain scenes)