Make 2020 the year you:
- Evolve as a writer
- Meet ridiculously-awesome creatives
- Fill your calendar with spectacular opportunities
- Advance your freelance career
- Feel more fulfilled than Leonardo DiCaprio after winning his first Oscar
It all starts here.
We’ve compiled a list of the most exciting copywriting and digital marketing events from all over the country. Here you will find annual conferences, regular meet-ups and online Twitter hours for the end of 2019 and all of 2020. You won’t regret bookmarking this list.
Annual Conferences
Digital City Expo
When: 11th -12th March 2020
Where: Manchester Central Convention Complex
Digital City Expo is a free-to-attend, two-day showcase of the latest in Marketing, eCommerce, Tech, Media, Creative and more. Delegates will hear from inspiring speakers and have the opportunity to meet thousands of fellow professionals representing brands, agencies and retailers. The Expo is part of Manchester's highly-anticipated Digital City Festival - bringing five days of events to venues across Manchester, 9th-13th March 2020.
B2B Marketing Expo
When: 25th - 26th March 2020
Where: ExCeL, London
Discover the biggest B2B marketing trends for 2020, meet some of the most influential figures in the industry and come back to your desk with buckets of ideas to propel your copywriting career.
Leeds Digital Festival
When: 20th April - 1st May 2020
Where: Across 96 venues in Leeds City Centre
The largest tech event in the North, Leeds Digital Festival features a week of roundtables, discussions and workshops hosted by local businesses and industry thought leaders. An unmissable opportunity for copywriters looking to expand their technical knowledge and gain new business contacts.
Creative North
When: 19th June 2020
Where: Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
Creative North is about connecting people who craft content to ignite game-changing opportunities and enhanced learning. 2019’s event was focused on the future of content, featuring speakers from leading creative agencies. Discover what’s in store for 2020 here.
Festival of Marketing
When: 7th - 8th October 2020
Where: Tobacco Dock, London
150 hours of discussions across 12 stages from marketing masters on creative brand thinking, content trends, the customer experience, emerging tech and so much more. The Festival of Marketing is here to serve you and then some.
CopyCon 2020
When: 8th - 9th October 2020, 9am - 8pm
Where: The Royal Institution, London, W1S 4BS
The Shangri La of copywriting events. #CopyCon20 - hosted by ProCopywriters - will be a two-day event spread across two venues in London. It’s a chance to get out of your copywriting cave, connect with peers, grow your writing skills and become a savvier marketer.
Goodfest
When: TBC 2020
Where: Bedruthan Hotel, Cornwall
Goodfest is more than just hanging out on a beach in Cornwall. It’s an event for creatives with a passion for sustainability to meet leading international change-makers. Hear their stories and drive the impact of your work.
D&AD Festival, London
When: TBC 2020
Where: TBC London
If you’re looking for an explosion of inspiration, deep talks and quality connections, D&AD Festival is the event to bookmark. Last year, speakers included Oscar-winning director, Danny Boyle, alongside some of the biggest creative and digital industry leaders.
Regular Meet-Ups
Manchester Entrepreneurs Club
Next event: Thu 28th November, 8:30am
Where: Robert and Victor, Manchester
Entrepreneurs unite! This monthly meet-up aims to bring together freelancers, business owners and everyone else in between to share ideas, talk through challenges and revel in the beauty of self-employment.
DMA’s Creative Club
Next event: 26th March 2020, 6pm - 8pm
Where: TBC Central Manchester
The DMA’s Creative Club is an affordable quarterly meet-up for creative cookies on a mission to expand their social circles and get the latest intel from industry experts. A great opportunity for those looking to break into a creative industry or enhance their own craft. Locations include Manchester, London, Edinburgh and Bristol.
Content Breakfast by CMA
Next event: TBC
Where: Havas Office, Pancras Square, London
Each breakfast includes three-to-four speakers presenting on various topics - such as content marketing strategies, best business practice and how to nail case studies - for eager-to-learn copywriters.
Content UK London Meet-up
Next event: TBC
Where: TBC London Central
Content writers on the hunt for contagious motivation and new contacts don’t need to look far. This laid-back monthly gathering of content marketers looks like a fantastic opportunity to escape the desk and meet like-minded peers.
The Village Creatives Meet-up
Next event: TBC
Where: Foundation Coffee House, Manchester
There aren’t many downsides to being a freelance copywriter, but loneliness is one. Monthly mingling with comrades can help you feel connected again. The Village Creatives Meetup in Manchester, hosted by Freelance Folk, aims to provide just that.
Copy Nights (#CopywritersUnite)
Next event: Search for @CopyNights on Twitter
Where: Nationwide
Created by Vikki Ross, Copy Nights are "informal drinks in a pub with copywriters and copy lovers". Beginning as a hashtag on Twitter, #copywritersunite happened IRL in 2013 and now occur across the country every month. As Vikki writes in her LinkedIn post, "no tickets, no speakers, no agenda". And if there's not a night near you, host one!
Twitter hours
What’s a Twitter hour? It’s as it says on the tin. For one hour every week, Tweeters are invited to join in discussions surrounding everything and anything.
All you need to do is include the designated hashtag for a topic you want to talk about - such as #CreativeBizHour - in your comment when starting a new conversation or replying to a post.
Here’s a list of hand-picked Twitter hours for copywriters to get you going.
#CreativeBizHour
When: 8-9pm (GMT) Mondays
Hosted by the bestselling author, Lizzie Chantree, #CreativeBizHour is an opportunity to chat about all things freelancing, running a small business, content and creativity.
#Freelancewins
When: At the end of every day
Set up by Freelance Folk, #Freelancewins - which has replaced #Freelancehour - gives you the opportunity to share your achievements as a freelancer at the end of every day. Shouting about your awesomeness is good for the soul, so join in!
#WineOclock
When: 7-8pm (GMT) Mondays
It’s Monday night. It’s been a heavy day of planning, researching and writing. There’s never been a better time to pour yourself a glass of well-earned wine, post vino selfies on Twitter and share your Monday thoughts with kindred spirits.
#BlogHour
When: 9-10pm (GMT) Tuesdays
Originally hosted by UK Blog Awards (which has now closed its doors forever), #BlogHour invites writers to share their favourite blogs or simply chat about the art of blog creation.
#MakeYourOwnTwitterHour
When: whenever you wish
There are no rules when it comes to sparking a one-hour weekly discussion. Simply pop the hashtag you want to use in your profile, spread the word and get talking!
Have We Missed Anything?
If there’s an event you love that we haven’t mentioned, we can fix that. Send Incredibble’s founder Helen a quick message on Twitter at @DibbleDabbles and we’ll make sure its added to this list.
Also, you might like to check out this blog on the best podcasts for copywriters.
