Great Companies: How did you get your idea or concept for the business?
Gunjan Pai: Copylove is my labour of love. I have built it on my experience of over two decades as a copywriter with Ogilvy & Mather and Lowe Lintas in my early years, and then many agencies and corporates independently – grounds where I gathered invaluable insights on brands and businesses.
In the thick of the action in advertising and design, I worked with a lot of ad agencies and design studios. I often wondered why copy or content that can make or break a creative came as a second thought in these studios. Why couldn’t we lead an idea from the front? A gnawing need to hold the copy flag high became the genesis of Copylove in 2015, a work-from-home (WFH) boutique copy and content writing studio.
Great Companies: What are the various services provided by Copylove?
Gunjan Pai: Think of us when you thinking anything copy and content. We niche deeply into delivering everything that has anything to do with the written word.
Branding copywriting
Brand discovery
Elevator pitch
Brand essence
Brand values
Brand naming
Tagline & slogan writing
Tone of voice
Creative strategy
Brand manifesto
Sales decks
Investor decks
Brand catalogues & brochures
Content audit
Advertising copywriting
Environment branding
Marketing copywriting
Leaflets
Marketing newsletters
Packaging copy
Point of sale
Event concepts
Press release writing
Internal communication
Crisis communication
Authored article writing
Press release writing
Product copy
Proposal copywriting
Speech writing
Sales decks
Books & Publications
Digital copywriting
Website launch & relaunch copy
Blog writing
Email writing
Banner concept & writing
Award submission writing
Case study writing
Presentation writing
Social strategy & content
SEO article writing
Infographic copy
Mobile app copy
Whitepapers
Tutorial playbooks
E-books
Video scripts
Great Companies: What makes Copylove different from hundreds of other similar service providers?
Gunjan Pai: With many content firms thronging the marketplace today, we believe we still have the early-mover advantage. In our journey, we are led by a lean, all-women team who combine expertise, passion and undying love for writing. We work from Mumbai, Delhi, Goa, and Bangalore, and most importantly, from our hearts. We never tire of saying it. It keeps my team inspired as they live a balanced life working on what they love the most, while being in places they wish to be.
We also have a unique approach to our copy and content which begins with an intense deep-dive. It not gives us rich perspective into a client and their needs but also builds faith and camaraderie, setting us up for a long-term relationship. That’s what we believe helps us deliver high-quality, persuasive, and memorable copy that creates the right impact.
Great Companies: What are the struggles and challenges you face?
Gunjan Pai: Entrepreneurship is a journey dotted with challenges. But no matter what I may have gone through, I would not choose to have it any other way.
At the time I started, I was one of the only copy agencies, where the idea of a content-only agency was rare and people were unsure of our capabilities. We were also a WFH company, which further raised eyebrows as were seen as unprofessional. Slowly attitudes changed, and we found steadier ground to build on.
But then, came a line-up of severe personal challenges that left me broken to the core. In just a span of three years, I lost the pillars of her life - my husband (also our erstwhile co-founder), my mother-in-law, and my mother. All three were my biggest cheerleaders, and I found myself at the crossroads of life. But I had a child and a dog to look after, and giving up is not in my DNA.
I gathered myself and started searching for courses that would equip me to run my business with greater confidence and awareness. I received prestigious scholarships and fellowships from Goldman Sachs, IIM Bangalore and Indian School of Business, which inspired me to transform the way I ran business. I learnt all about numbers, contracts and more, and got to be on top of my business. I met up with peer groups, and continue to join women communities to strengthen my capabilities and add to my learning. I can confidently say that I am stronger than ever before.
Great Companies: How do you plan to grow in the future? What do 5 years down the line look like for Copylove?
Gunjan Pai: In our 8th year now, the coming five years will welcome us into our 2nd decade of existence. It is a highly existing prospect. We intend to accelerate on the back of our impeccable quality and continued excellence in work. Our industry is strong on word of mouth and we will become synonymous with high-quality and dependable copy. We will also become a sought-after name for copywriters in the market, who will seek to join us. I believe recognition in the industry is also a great way to grow, and we hope that our good work and reputation will help us gain that recognition.
Our five-year plan is best summed up in these five intentions:
Excel at work
Accelerate beyond
Exceed our boundaries
Be remembered for good
Be recognized for better
Great Companies: If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting out, what would it be?
Gunjan Pai: Start out only if you are in love with and have 100% conviction in your idea. Your work is your Ikigai. In dark times, this love will see you through. In brighter times, it will keep you grounded. All the best.