Meet Marie Alafaci, a versatile writer, marketing copywriter, author, and writing coach. Marie's journey is all about helping people in both business and creative writing. She offers judgment-free, honest, and practical advice to those seeking to improve their writing skills and effectively convey their ideas.
A Passion for Writing
For Marie, writing is her happy place. She finds people and their stories endlessly fascinating. As a website copywriter, she has the unique opportunity to explore different industries, business approaches, and methods of connecting with people, which she then transforms into captivating narratives.
When she's not crafting website copy or other marketing content, Marie delves into the realms of adult and children's literature. Her creative work has received acclaim, including being shortlisted for various fiction and non-fiction awards. Her children's book, "Zelda’s Big Adventure," even became a ‘Notable’ picture book in the Children’s Book Council of Australia Awards. It was a surreal moment when Zelda's story was featured on the legendary TV show Playschool.
Marie Alafaci's business revolves around assisting individuals facing writing challenges. Whether you're struggling to compose website copy, looking to enhance your business writing skills, or seeking guidance on creative writing projects, Marie has got you covered. Her professional writing experience and her dedication to sharing her expertise empower her clients to communicate effectively.
Marie’s Journey
Marie's journey into copywriting and coaching was catalysed by the changing educational landscape during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a seasoned writer and corporate trainer, she had been teaching writing at tertiary institutions. When lockdowns hit Melbourne, she realised the courses might soon be halted. To adapt to the evolving environment, she decided to venture into copywriting.
Her main challenges included establishing her presence as a sole trader and transitioning from manual to digital systems.
Growing with Melbourne Innovation Centre
Marie joined the Digital Solutions Program through Melbourne Innovation Centre to address her digital challenges and access valuable resources.
“The Digital Solutions Program took the anxiety out of choosing and it was a one-stop shop for everything I needed. Need a brand specialist to help you identify your ideal customer? We've got that! Need a marketing specialist? Got that, too! Want to learn how to use social media? Log into this course!” Marie explains.
Through workshops, mentoring, and webinars, Marie learned to leverage social media effectively. She discovered how to address her clients' pain points directly and redesign her website for better engagement. The program also provided her with a supportive community of fellow business owners.
“I've also learnt that if you need to learn how to do something in the digital world, there's no shame in asking an expert (and paying them to help, of course). The fact that the mentors were subsidised was an enormous help. When you're setting up a business, there are so many expenses that it can be hard to find the money to pay experts, but the subsidies make that a non-issue.” Marie states.
Marie now has a clear plan to redesign her website, focusing on improving content engagement. Marie's redesigned website is set to launch soon, and she anticipates positive engagement figures as a result of the changes.
Advice to Others
Marie encourages fellow entrepreneurs to participate in the Digital Solutions Program and support provided by Melbourne Innovation Centre.
“Take part - it's so worth it. Do all the courses you're interested in - even if you only learn one thing from each webinar, you're one step closer to reaching your goals. Work with the mentors - they are not only experts in their fields, but are also genuinely interested in helping participants.” Marie states.
Marie Alafaci is grateful to have been part of this valuable program and support provided by Melbourne Innovation Centre, and she looks forward to continuing her journey of connecting people through the power of words.
The Digital Solutions Program is funded by the Australian Government and delivered by Melbourne Innovation Centre across Victoria. Join today to unleash the full potential of your small business in the digital realm.
.png){kind=spacer}
