TCC Podcast #130: Our Takeaways from TCCIRL with Kira Hug and Rob Marsh

We’ve flipped the microphones again and invited copywriter Kirsty Fanton back into the studio to interview us for the 130th episode of The Copywriter Club Podcast. This is the episode where we answer important questions like... What’s a furfie? What’s a ripsnorter? And has Rob ever cried in a movie? And what disgusting work habits does Kira have? Plus we talk about what the Copywriter Think Tank is like—it’s only open for new members once a year and we’re taking applications right now. Here are a few of the topics we covered: •  our favorite moments from TCCIRL and why this year was even better than last •  the speakers who stood out—the people you definitely want to watch when the videos are ready •  a short description of the “lost” panel discussion •  the new round of The Copywriter Think Tank •  the importance of balancing financial success with a personal life •  Kira’s favorite post from her blog about being tall in New York •  Rob reveals that he has cried in a movie and that he can’t even remember the right breed of dog in the movie •  the thing that Rob did that still bothers Kira •  what Rob and Kira’s childhood hobbies were We think this one is kind of fun. Make sure you stick around for the “lightning round” at the end to really get to know your hosts. It’s easy to listen, just click the play button below, or download the episode to your favorite podcast app. Readers can scroll down for a full transcript.   The people and stuff we mentioned on the show: The Copywriter Think Tank The Copywriter Accelerator The Copywriter Club In Real Life Event Kira’s website Rob’s website The Copywriter Club Facebook Group The Copywriter Underground Intro: Content (for now) Outro: Gravity   Full Transcript: Kirsty:            What if you could have a yarn with ridgy-didge copywriters and other experts, ask them about their ripsnorters and furphies, their work processes and habit-a-roos, then pitch an idea or two to inspire your own hard yakka. That's what Rob and Kira do every week at The Copywriter Club Podcast. And if you haven't already guessed, today's episode is coming to you from the land down under, where we drive on the left, celebrate Christmas in the sweaty peak of summer, and wear thongs on our feet. Given everything is upside down and inside out over here, it's only fair that I'm flipping the tables, and getting Robira to spill the beans on all things TCC. We'll get the down low on last months In Real Life event, a sneak peak at the new and improved Copywriter Think Tank, and the inside scoop on Rob's most woo woo moment, and Kira's grossest working from home habit. Hey guys. Kira:   That was the best intro ever. Rob:   I might have to leave. I'm a little weirded out right now. That was English, right? You were speaking English? Kirsty:            I was speaking English, Rob. Kira:   Yeah, but what is a furphie? Kirsty:            A furphie's like an error or a mistake. Kira:   Wow. Okay. Definitely using that one. Rob:   Nice. Kirsty:            It’s a good word. You can drop it in when you're over here next month, Rob. You'll sound like a local. Rob:   Yeah. I can't wait. I'm going to like just memorize this, ripsnorters and furphies. Got it. Ready to go. Kirsty:            You'll fit right in. Well, guys, it's so nice to be chatting with you again so soon. I feel like I'm getting maximum in Robira time this month because I was over with you guys in Brooklyn like what, two weeks ago? For the final- Kira:   Yeah. Kirsty:            ... Think Tank workshop and also for of course TCC IRL version 2.0. So, how are you both after what I imagine has been a huge month at your end? Kira:   How are you, Rob? Rob:   I am great. I am- Kira:   You're always great. Rob:   ... we've had some time to rest and start picking up the pieces. It felt like it was a success. You're right though, it was a hard work. It was tiring. Like I immediately went home Sunday afternoon, had dinner with my family, fell asleep at four o'clock in the afternoon and I didn't wake up until like 5:30 the next morning. Kira:   Whoa. Rob:   So like, it was tiring, but I feel good now after a couple weeks. It's been good. Kira's been going ever since. Like she didn't even stop. Kira:   I won't slow down. Rob:   Because then she took time off ... And yeah. So, she's tired I think. Kira:   Yeah. I really am. Now I'm sick, too, so. No, I mean, it was exciting and I just jumped straight into my birthday, so took some time off for my birthday and realized that going out and celebrating with the girlfriends for my birthday was going to be exhausting, so probably not the best follow-up to the event. But it was fun nonetheless. And then, we went to DC to look for a new home. So, yeah. It's been on the go with some big life changes the last few weeks. I have not slowed down to rest yet. I do need to do that, my body is starting to feel all the weight from the last few weeks. So, I do need to slow down. I think my body is kindly trying to tell me that right now, so I need to just listen. Kirsty:            Yes. That sounds like a good plan. You are a machine for having powered through all of that. I mean, so it sounds like obviously the event left you guys maybe a little bit worse for wear in the immediate days after, but how was it when you were actually there? Like what were some of the things that you really got out of it, what was some of your favorite moments, your favorite presentations? Kira:   Yeah. So for me, I think the follow-up event is always tricky because the first one was so wonderful, and Kirsty, you were there, you kind of felt the magic of the first time you're meeting everyone in real life. So, I was a little bit nervous going into the second one, but to me, it felt just as exciting and connecting with everyone you kind of felt that same excitement just as much, if not more, because it was a little bit bigger, so more people there. And just really, really exciting, and I feel like it was just the perfect continuation. Also, just spending more time with people, and even in kind of knowing them more a year later, and getting to connect with them in person was great. I'd say my favorite moments were kind of the intimate moments. Like the dinner adventures. It was just really special. It was seven of us at a restaurant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, just getting to know each other and kind of having some awkward moments and then drinking some wine and then just relaxing and getting to know each other and having some really great conversations and planning each other's futures. But I really enjoyed those moments probably even more than the large moments where we were all at the cocktail party. So, that stood out to me. Rob:   That was a good answer. I'm not sure I can add much to that. Like it was just ... it was a great event. The speakers were great, the people that were there was great, it was just so much fun. And so rewarding in a lot of ways. Kirsty:            Yeah. And again, as you said, I was there and I was also there last year. And you guys just killed it again. I was a bit unsure how you would top version one from 2018, but I mean, I think you guys did. There were so many more people there, the speeches and the presentations were all so valuable, and I think there were maybe even slightly more opportunities this time around to actually hang out in smaller groups and just get to know people a bit better, which as you guys both said, is highly valuable. One thing I like that you just said Kira, is that you got to see everyone a year later. Sort of a year down the track from the first event. How is that for both of you guys, to sort of see how people are changing and evolving in their businesses? Kira:   Yeah, it feels ... kind of more like a long-term relationship rather than just a one night fling. This feels like this is something real and I think there's a big investment on the part of everyone who travels to our event. And especially when people travel twice, two years in a row, I just ... I think that level of commitment kind of speaks to the energy and then the relationships that are formed, the conversations that you have, because the people that show up are really committed to creating a career. And so, the conversations you have are a little bit deeper, and I don't know, it just makes you feel like, ‘Hey, these are people I can surround myself with for a while. Like we're all in it together and can support each other.’ And so, it just ... I don't know. It felt like the relationships are more solid this year, compared to last year, where it was just really exciting and fun to get together for the first time. So, it just feels like there's a deeper level of commitment on the part of everyone, not just us. Rob:   And I think when you talk about that level of commitment, too. We take that really seriously. And when we know that somebody's flying in from India, or Australia, or Denmark, or the UK, we understand the investment they're making in being there, and so we want to make sure that what they get when they get there is worth the investment. And we ... that's why we get the speakers that we get, that's why we focus so much on ... I mean, we really probably do too much content and too many things, but we just want to make sure that everybody who walks away, walks away thinking absolutely that was the best money I've spent investing in my business this year. Kirsty:            And speaking about ROI, or looking at it like that, what for you guys, which presentations gave the biggest ROI or gave the biggest like ‘ah-ha’ moments? Kira:   Yeah. I mean, it was tricky for me because I was in and out a lot throughout the presentations, so I didn't get to hear all of them, but I really did enjoy Joel's conversation or his presentation on the sales call,