Meet Marisa Corcoran | Copy and Business Mentor, Creator of The Copy Chat

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marisa Corcoran and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marisa, what is the most important factor behind your success?
During the 5th season of The Copy Chat (which recently aired this February) we experienced a handful of past guests sharing about the summit, even though they weren’t featured this season. I realized that this is because I’ve built the brand on connection first. Connection over automation, funnels, paid ads — all of the “stuff” you’re told to focus on. When I reach out asking guests to be on the summit, I take time to understand why they’d be an excellent fit. I share what I love about their brand down to quoting them. I don’t rely on any general “I love your work” type of reach outs. I get specific and make sure that connection and depth are baked into every layer of the business. It’s not only helped The Copy Chat become one of the most popular summits out there, but it’s also helped us raise over $40K for charity (and counting!). We’ve put community and connection at the center of everything.

What should our readers know about your business?
I’m most proud of the money our community has raised for charity. Before I started my business, I was an actor and I always hoped I’d be in a place one day to spread awareness about the causes I believed in. It’s incredible to witness that everything I wanted acting to give me, I’ve created for myself inside of my business. It’s been my goal to show online business owners and entrepreneurs that you don’t need to wait until you’re a zillionaire to have a financial impact on a cause you believe in. You don’t have to host a fancy gala. You can give back at any stage in your business, and you can be creative with how you do it. We’ve given back to incredible organizations like The Headstrong Project, Hope for Heather, and Soul Fire Farm. Getting to this point was not easy. I always say “Winnie The Pooh” broke me. I was asked to audition for the character of Rabbit. The following week they called to tell me they didn’t need me to come in and audition anymore. I’ll never forget standing in my kitchen crying to my husband that I was done with letting my life be dictated by someone else. I’d gone to a prestigious grad acting program (The A.R.T. at Harvard) and I’d felt guilty about letting acting go but, at that moment in the kitchen, I knew it was time. I felt a bit lost for a while but had been writing for online service providers and coaches for a few years as my “side gig”. And then it hit me – what if I could apply everything I learned as an actor (all the tips and work to be a “leading lady” onstage) to business? And I did. I created my own stage with my online summit, The Copy Chat and in 18 months I went from being a done-for-you copywriter no one knew about to a Copy and Business Mentor and leader of a community. Within 2 years, I’ve gone from making $50K to over $500K with a brand rooted in community, connection, and giving back. This work helps my clients use their personality and credibility to create copy on their website, emails, social media posts, and sales materials with ease and confidence. This work has also brought my clients (and myself!) 60%+ conversions on landing pages, $100K launches, and replacing incomes with work they love. Most importantly, uncovering how to write like yourself that connects calls forth the creativity and chutzpah already inside of you to create an uncopyable message online that magnetically attracts your dream clients…again and again. For anyone reading this that’s an actor or a creative person, please know your talents are needed. It’s not just onstage. My resilience, ability to “play”, improv, connect authentically, and bring new ideas to the table is how I grew my business quickly. Creatives are primed for this and needed in the “business” world.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love Atlanta so much and I LOVE talking about Atlanta! Here’s my list… Favorite restaurants: Fox Bros. BBQ, Sotto Sotto (you can get GF pasta and bread here!), Barcelona Wine Bar, Spoon, and Junior’s Pizza. You must visit the aquarium and the zoo. After the zoo, head over to Summerhill and grab a hot dog and beer from Hot Dog Pete’s. Visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden during the early evening in spring for the best views of the city, a cocktail, and gorgeous blooms. Atlanta is home to the best breweries. My favorites include Sweetwater, Scofflaw, and Eventide. Eventide is located in its own little oasis in a neighborhood with horses and goats right across the street. My favorite Eventide beer is the Arbor Ale! Gluten-free like me? Check out Hell Yeah Gluten Free bakery. You’ll go gaga over the cinnamon roll and the breakfast sandwiches!. Take a stroll on The Beltline and make a stop for Jen’s ice cream at Krog Street Market and the “Late July” cocktail from Bar Mercado. Walk on down and grab a tea from Just Add Honey (their Earl Grey Cream is my favorite!) and stop into Citizen’s Supply at Ponce City Market. Be sure to check out the jaw-dropping art murals on The Beltline. Not a place per se, but be sure to take a moment and Google the history of the street names. It’s likely you’ll be immersed in the stories of some of the country’s greatest Civil Rights Heroes. Perhaps my favorite spot is Kirkwood where I live. Grab a pour-over or Earl Grey tea from TapRoom and then head across the street for a house margarita and taco salad from Elmyriachi. Also, Anna’s BBQ here in Kirkwood and it’s such a staple and a place I really love.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout would be to my mom. As a single mom and a widow, I watched her show up every day through the good days, the bad, and everything in between. As a social worker, she also taught me to treat everyone I met with respect. I always call her a modern-day Atticus Finch. She’d always remind me to take a moment and remember what it’s like to walk in someone else’s shoes. I can honestly say I’ve seen my mom treat a homeless person and an acquaintance at the grocery store with the same level of dignity and kindness. That kind of empathy and sincerity is baked into everything she’s done, especially her work with the elderly. I try to keep those same values present in my company every single day.

Website: MarisaCorcoran.com

Instagram: @MToni

Image Credits
Dave Thomas Brown Photography Amanda Kate Co.