Skills Needed To Become A Professional Copywriter

By Martha Hamilton


While there are a number of freelance editing and writing jobs online, there are only a few for which most are qualified. In particular, one of the hardest positions to fill is that of a freelance Professional Copywriter. For, while there is often no degree required, most hiring agencies look for a great deal of ad, print and web experience in the area of advertising.

Most often these individuals are freelancers hired by advertising agencies, then placed on a creative team. After which, the team works together to come up with the art and verbal content for an advertising campaign. Generally, the agency is hoping to acquire the business of the advertiser based on a completed project by the team.

Individuals looking to become involved in the process of copy-writing must often have skills beyond those of freelance editors and writers. Some of these include, web and print advertising, creating brochures, proposals, pamphlets and other materials related to advertising.

Those who understand and can use a number of different writing styles are often going to get the best and most high paying jobs. While, there may be junior associates who only work to assist the copywriters with language mark-up, revisions and pasting of art work. As for copywriters, when working on a campaign, it is important to maintain a consistency when it comes to the voice with which one writes across all materials associated with the campaign.

Experience with editing, revision, search engine optimization and document mark-up are all basic requirements. For, while an individual may create the basic content of a campaign, most clients are going to request a number of changes and revisions over the course of the project. It is also important these individuals have the ability to make these changes in an efficient and timely manner.

In most copy writing positions, experience is generally preferred over education. In order to get the best jobs available, it is important to build a writing portfolio with regards to past and present projects. Otherwise, the hiring agency has no way of knowing the depth and scope of writing experience which one has to offer.

In building a portfolio, it is important to include examples from all areas in which an individual has worked. For example, by including work from different areas such as radio, television, print and web advertising, one is more likely to get hired than otherwise. Whereas, when an agency can see a number of different writing styles such as blog posts, content, captions and email related to marketing, individuals are often going to be noticed more than others which do not include this information.

Ultimately, it is essential to have great written and verbal communication skills. For, while creating content, most often these individuals will also be working with advertisers once a campaign is approved. As such, it is important to have the ability to sell and defend ideas while listening and replying to feedback by the hiring agency, clients and others.




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