From Menopause Coach Diploma to Market-Ready: Copy & Socials with Laura Mzhickteno

In this game-changing episode of Women of a Certain Stage, host Lauren sits down with Laura Mzhickteno, a copywriting expert with a decade of experience helping coaches, authors, and speakers translate their expertise into clear, compelling messages. If you've ever stared at a blank Instagram post wondering "how do I say this?" or felt paralyzed by your own messaging, this conversation is your permission slip to start imperfectly.Laura shares her journey from attending random webinars on fish-catching (seriously) to building a thriving copywriting business. She reveals why messaging clarity comes from working with clients—not from hiding in your hole trying to make it perfect first. With refreshing honesty about her own six-figure student loan debt and the ROI crisis in traditional education, Laura explains why coaching certifications are becoming the new degree alternative.This conversation tackles the fear of "being too salesy," the chicken-and-egg of getting client feedback to create messaging, and why marketing at its best is simply spreading important messages to people who need them most. Lauren and Laura explore how coaching expands our vision from "just making it through the workday" to building second acts that matter.Plus: Laura shares the three things you must communicate clearly, why your Instagram bio matters more than you think, and the perfect gift-under-the-tree analogy that will change how you think about sharing your work with the world.Key Timestamps[00:01:00] Meeting years ago: learning storytelling secrets as a "fledgling menopause trainer" [00:02:00] The unglamorous answer: a decade of training, practice, research, certifications [00:03:00] Common hurdle: everyone knows what to say but not how to say it [00:04:00] Three things to communicate: problem, result, different approach [00:05:00] Message refinement happens with clients, not in isolation [00:06:00] Patterns in client feedback reveal your real messaging [00:07:00] Why avatars with names/ages miss the point—it's about attributes [00:08:00] Laura's decade in coaching/author/speaker marketing [00:09:00] When Laura's parents were shocked: "You could get a car for that!" [00:10:00] Coaching becoming mainstream: "Yeah, my team needs coaching" [00:11:00] UK university fees vs. US six-figure student loan debt reality [00:12:00] Six years of time + six figures of debt = terrible ROI [00:13:00] Degrees don't make you workplace ready—just entry level [00:14:00] Certification programs: fraction of cost, ready to do meaningful work [00:15:00] Retraining as personal trainer: made same money as corporate career [00:16:00] Four grads gathered in Boston to support each other's event [00:17:00] Don't wait for perfect—feedback loop only happens by doing [00:18:00] But also: don't try to tackle too much too fast [00:19:00] The chicken-and-egg: getting feedback to create messaging [00:20:00] Start with the platform you're most comfortable with [00:21:00] Practice clients inform what to say on social media [00:22:00] Monthly scheduling stress lifted: planning 3-6 months ahead [00:23:00] Getting in early: 10-15 minutes can propel business forward [00:24:00] Coming into Menopause Coach Diploma to help each person individually [00:25:00] Not everyone wants to be a six or seven-figure coach [00:26:00] Understand how things work before you outsource them [00:27:00] Attending webinars on fish-catching (no interest in fish!) [00:28:00] "I want to do what you're doing"—finding first mentor [00:29:00] From "$4,000/month would be amazing" to so much more [00:30:00] Coaching makes you dream again—acknowledged but not enough [00:31:00] Doing work for previous self who wanted fractionally better life [00:32:00] Age 38: "I'm miserable but too far down this road to start over" [00:33:00] Taking decades of experience and adding menopause coaching on top [00:34:00] Workshop coming: structured approach, no overwhelm [00:35:00] Fear of being "too salesy" or promoting to friends/family [00:36:00] YouTube coach hunt: actively searching, can't find right person [00:37:00] "Help me get your help"—to the right person, you can't be too salesy [00:38:00] Gift under Christmas tree with no name tag analogy [00:39:00] Marketing at its best: spreading important messages to those who need themKey TakeawaysDecade of unsexy work creates "magical" messaging ability: training, practice, research, certificationsThree core message elements: problem you solve, result you create, how you do it differentlyIf you need a full paragraph to explain, keep editingMessage refinement requires working with clients—can't happen in isolationIt's about attributes, not demographics: personality and life experience over age/locationCoaching demand growing: from "what even is that?" to C-suite executives requesting itStudent loan crisis: six years + six figures = terrible ROI, not workplace readyCertification alternative: fraction of cost, meaningful work, marketable skills in one yearDon't wait for perfect to start sharing your message publiclyBut also don't try to tackle all platforms at oncePractice clients through diploma provide initial feedback loopStart with platform you're most comfortable with (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, video, text)Comfortable with writing? Text posts. Rather say it? Video.10-15 minutes of messaging clarity can propel business forwardNot everyone wants six/seven-figure business—evolution over business planUnderstand how things work before outsourcing themCoaching expands vision: from "make it through workday" to dreaming againWe don't just solve problems—we give bigger visions for livesMany people at 38+ miserable in careers, feel too far in to start overMenopause coaching = adding to existing skillset, not starting overFear of being "too salesy" stops people from sharing their workTo the right person, you literally can't be too salesy—they're hunting you downMarketing at its best = spreading important messages to those who need them mostTake Action!Connect with Laura Mzhickteno:Work with Laura for messaging clarity and copywriting supportJoin upcoming workshop in Women of a Certain Stage Menopause Coach DiplomaGet 10-15 minutes of messaging clarity to propel your business forwardThree Core Messages to Nail Down:What problem do you solve?What result do you create?How do you do it differently?Can you say each in one short, simple, clear sentence without elaborating? If not, more editing needed.Getting Started with Social Media:Don't wait for perfect—start sharing imperfectly nowPick ONE platform you're most comfortable with (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok)Pick ONE format you prefer: text posts or videoComfortable writing? Start with text. Rather say it? Make videos.Don't try all platforms at once—you can always add more laterThe Feedback Loop Formula:Work with practice clients (get this in Menopause Coach Diploma)Notice patterns in how they talk about their problemsHear what questions they ask, what they're curious aboutUse this to inform what you post on social mediaRefine messaging based on ongoing client conversationsBefore You Outsource: Understand how things work in your business first. Get the basics down, get consistent, then bring in support for what's not your wheelhouse.Reframe "Being Too Salesy":To the right person, your marketing doesn't feel like marketingThey're actively searching for your solutionThey want to know what you offer—help them find itThe gift under the tree needs a name tagIf you don't tell people you have this gift, they'll never unwrap itIf You're Stuck: Remember Laura attended webinars on fish-catching (zero interest in fish) just to understand the pattern of how people make money helping others. Sometimes the path to clarity is wonky. Start imperfectly. Refine as you go.ROI Reality Check: Traditional degree: 4-6 years + six figures debt = entry...