Koren sitting on her couch, reading a book, surrounded by comfy cushions and a blanket.

ABOUT KOREN

A calm presence in the noisy world of digital marketing

I believe in slow, sustainable marketing that honours your values, your audience and your energy. No fake scarcity, no guilt trips, no shouting into the void. Just thoughtful, strategic work that grows your business and feels good to share.

ABOUT KOREN

A calm presence in the noisy world of digital marketing

I believe in slow, sustainable marketing that honours your values, your audience and your energy. No fake scarcity, no guilt trips, no shouting into the void. Just thoughtful, strategic work that grows your business and feels good to share.

20+ years of experience

From national newsrooms to leading charities and brands.

Values-based approach

Specialising in ethical marketing, SEO & storytelling.

Permaculture qualified

Considering people and planet in every strategy.

100+ happy clients worldwide

Supporting change-makers in Australia and beyond.

Writing has taken me on a wild ride over the past two decades

It all began in 2005, as a cadet journalist interviewing grape growers in muddy Barossa Valley vineyards (naturally, I remain partial to Shiraz).

From there, I wrote my way across Queensland as a political reporter for a major metropolitan daily newspaper.

After a small move to the opposite side of the world (hola, Spain), I founded my own marketing company in 2013 to help ethical small businesses amplify their impact online.

Since then, I’ve helped launch businesses big and small, revamped dozens of websites, grown social media followings into triple digits, sold out online courses and helped raise millions for charity.

All while staying true to my personal values. 🙌

Koren Helbig interviewing former Queensland deputy premier Andrew Fraser

Interviewing former Queensland deputy premier Andrew Fraser aboard the government jet.

Koren and Toby during Hogueras.

With my friend Toby, dressed for a traditional Spanish festival.

Koren in the backyard of her Tarntanya Adelaide home
Koren in the backyard of her Tarntanya Adelaide home

At the heart of all my work is a deep desire to help accelerate our planet's transition to a climate-positive future.

I use permaculture as the framework to make this possible.

What is permaculture?

Permaculture is a practical design system for creating sustainable ways of living, inspired by the laws of nature. It’s not just about gardening, either. It’s a design system for life, which can be applied to literally any context to help you make better choices. Yep, that includes your business and marketing.

What is permaculture marketing?

This is my unique approach to marketing, weaving permaculture’s three core ethics — Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share — into the promotion of good businesses. It’s thoughtful, strategic, values-led and always considers the triple bottom line: people, planet and profit.

Is this approach right for you?

If you’re values-driven, care about people and planet, and want your marketing to feel good (not gross), then yes — this approach is most likely right for you. It’s perfect for purpose-led small business owners who want ethical strategy, thoughtful storytelling and sustainable growth for increased impact.

I’m much more than just a copywriter

As a working journalist and highly experienced strategist, I bring a unique mix of deep marketing know-how and pro-level storytelling.

My qualifications and experience:

  • 10+ years at the helm of my own marketing agency, working with dozens of purpose-driven small businesses around the world.

  • 5+ years leading in-house marketing departments for national Australian charities and brands.

  • 20+ years as a professional journalist, writing for more than 30 publications in Australia, the US and Europe. (I currently write regular columns for the ABC and The Guardian.)

  • Countless courses in content marketing, sales copywriting, blogging, social media marketing, SEO, web design, Google Analytics, Meta Ads, online course production, photography and videography.

  • Permaculture Design Certificate from The Food Forest (2017).

  • Additional permaculture training in Holistic Decision Making, social permaculture and organic veggie growing.

  • Bachelor of Arts, majoring in journalism and literary studies (2010).

  • Three-year journalism cadetship at a regional South Australian newspaper (2005-2008).

I live and work according to the three permaculture ethics:

Earth care. People care. Fair share.

1% for the planet

I believe business can — and should — be a force for environmental good. That’s why I commit at least 1% of my income and 1% of my working hours to causes protecting our planet’s future:

A drone shot of Koren's permaculture-designed backyard

I’m also applying permaculture in my small city backyard

Nearly 7 in 10 people will live in cities by 2050 — more than double today’s population. Learning to live more sustainably in urban environments is a crucial climate action, I reckon.

So, I’m setting up my small home in Tarntanya / Adelaide as an urban permaculture demonstration site.

Slowly, I’m making low-impact, affordable renovations to create a more energy-efficient home. I’ve planted a local native butterfly garden out the front. Out back, a permaculture garden and food forest.

My garden truly is my happy place.