A rural dream realised for award-nominated copywriter

BERRINGA’S Sarah Walkerden is nominated for a 2020 AusMumpreneur Award.

A marketing professional and mother to two young children, Ms Walkerden runs her business, The Rural Copywriter, specialising in search engine optimisation website copy.

“I’m primarily focused on helping rural and regional businesses, and the agriculture sector,” she said.

“I write for Google and for customers. I also help businesses with organic content strategy, marketing plans, and I build the occasional website for small businesses as well.”

Discovering the awards in 2019, Ms Walkerden thought she’d throw her hat in the ring for the first time this year, seeing a space to network and develop alongside other women in business.

“The opportunity was there, so I thought I’d run with it. I’ve signed up to attend their awards dinner and three-day conference in Bright,” she said.

“Regardless of the outcome, I’m just happy to be involved and to go and meet some other amazing businesswomen.”

Ms Walkerden understands that many mothers, like herself, can be initially fearful about stepping out on their own professionally, especially in smaller communities. Regardless of location, she said enterprising visions are achievable.

“They might have ideas to do things by themselves, but a lot are held back by the fact that they’re committed to kids and committed to supporting their husbands with their careers.

“Leaving the safety of permanent employment is a leap of faith, but there’s so much potential out there. It doesn’t matter where you are, you can run a successful business, particularly with the online world,” she said

“It comes down to the initial bravery and persistence. A lot of stuff in the beginning doesn’t work, but you’ve just got to keep trying different things until you find the right formula.”

Previously based in Melbourne, working for government agencies and big companies, Ms Walkerden didn’t always “see results on a more personal level.”

Now living the farm dream in Golden Plains alongside her husband, kids and animals, the opportunity to support other family businesses through The Rural Copywriter means a lot to her.

“We’re in the middle of nowhere and it is quite isolating, but we chose this lifestyle for a reason. I’ve got horses, I work from home and have flexibility around the kids and my lifestyle,” she said.

“Our kids love the farm, they run crazy across the paddocks, and I’m there to pick my son up from school. It’s been amazing for us.”