Telling your story online

Hi! I’m Helen Reynolds, a freelance web content writer and copywriter. I live in the beautiful city of York, working with clients across the UK and beyond.

My story

I’ve always been a bookworm and writer. This led to studying English at Cambridge University. Tough essay deadlines meant I had to absorb huge amounts of information quickly and pinpoint key themes.

For 11 years I managed the Lake District National Park’s websites, including two commercial sites. I also set up their Twitter and Facebook accounts, taking them from zero to thousands of followers.

Before that I was the lead e-commerce editor at First Choice Holidays, based at Gatwick. For fun, I’m writing a historical action adventure series. I’m also a Top Contributor for TripAdvisor.

Why I love being a freelance web content writer

I founded Ink Gardener Copywriting in 2014 and have never looked back. There’s nothing more satisfying than taking what a client says, then organising and polishing their words into professional, reassuring and friendly content.

Memberships and accreditations

The Professional Copywriters’ Network – also known as the Alliance of Commercial Writers.

Graduate of The Recipe for SEO Success intensive nine-week course with Australia’s leading copywriter Kate Toon

Awards and nominations

The Clever Copywriting School Copywriter of the Year nominee 2022

Digital Enterprise Top 100

In the news

• York copywriter Helen Reynolds ‘incredibly chuffed’ with FSB award nomination – The Yorkshire Post
• York businesswoman, Ink Gardener, finalist in FSB awards – The York Press

Speaker for:

• Business Ladies Around Harrogate
• Women In Rural Enterprise
• York Creatives

If you’d like me to deliver a talk to your business networking group, please get in contact.

Corporate responsibility

Every year I volunteer or work at a reduced rate for charities and not-for-profit organisations close to my heart. This year’s quota is full.

Organisations I volunteer for:

• Historical Novel Society
• Dawnay’athlon charity challenge

Customer commitment

I am committed to providing an exemplary level of service, with opportunities for feedback throughout projects. I also encourage clients to provide feedback by leaving reviews on LinkedIn and Google.

Why ‘Ink Gardener’?

My career catchphrase is “a website is like a garden”. You can’t just open the website gates to the public and then ignore it. To keep things looking good, you need to mow the virtual lawn, trim the roses and thin out the veggies.

I also love to garden in real-life, and am a sucker for the Dutch 17th century botanical style of painting. I’m ‘Ink Gardener’ as a nod to my ink-stained fingers. I’m left-handed, so tend to smudge!

Human-written. Always.

I may write content to be discovered by the AI search robots. However I do not use AI to think, write or edit my words. Instead I use my Cambridge University-educated brain, 25+ years’ experiencing of websites and my own creativity. It’s why I signed up for Mine Not Machine accreditation.

It’s a bit like gardening. Happy with grabbing a plant pot at the supermarket? Go ahead. But if you want the digital equivalent of an original, thoughtfully landscaped garden worthy of the Chelsea Flower Show, please get in touch.

Full video transcript

“Hi! I’m Helen Reynolds. I’m a freelance writer based in York. I help businesses across the UK boost their profits through fresh words. Gardeners work with plants to bring in a harvest and I use words to attract customers for my clients.

I’ve always loved to write. My degree was in English from Cambridge University and I’ve just finished my first novel. I started writing websites in 1997 so I’ve got a pretty good idea how they work.

What I do

I write Google-friendly web content. I can write this from scratch having talked to a business or I can hack back and prune existing content to show off products and services.

Web content

A website can look stunning but if it’s too wordy or it’s not helpful, people will go elsewhere. I write friendly, pithy content that keeps Google happy as well. I really enjoy getting feedback from my clients. I love how their websites are now earning their keep. They act like mini-auditions, 24/7 across the world.

Social media content

Updated: I no longer offer my hothouse social media programme or social media posts. But I can still deliver social media training on how to manage your social media channels.

Want strategic words? Hire a professional copywriter

Maths isn’t my strong point, so I hire an accountant to deal with business finances. If you struggle to tell the world about your business, why not hire me for your words?

Get in touch

Please contact me on or call 07929 948 743. I’ve also lots of free advice on my website. I really look forward to hearing from you!”