I wish I had some magical formula that would allow me to instantly calculate the exact amount of money you can expect to earn from working as a copywriter. The truth is, it depends on a lot of factors. For example, how long have you been writing? Are you self-taught or did you attend school for copywriting? There is a lot more that goes into it than simply writing for clients and getting paid per piece. That is the most basic and plain form of being a copywriter. What is your background? What specialties do you have? These are all important questions. They will all factor into how much you can make at copywriting and exactly how much you should be expecting to earn. With that said, here are some interesting facts about the lucrative career path of being a copywriter.
The Annual Salary For A Copywriter Varies Widely
Even if you write for the most prestigious brands in the world, you will not necessarily be able to earn the highest salaries. This is because there is no set formula for calculating what a copywriter’s annual salary should be. In fact, the average salary for a copywriter in 2020 is about $72,000 per year. That is a figure that comes directly from the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A’s) most recent published salary survey.
When you break down the numbers, you will see that 72,000 is the average income for a professional writer with at least five years of experience. However, that figure does not tell the whole story. The reality is that the annual salary of a copywriter heavily depends on a lot of factors. For instance, what are your specific responsibilities? Are you responsible for coming up with ad copy, press releases, or social media posts? Are you responsible for converting the clients’ copy into engaging and action-packed material that is logical, easy to follow, and intriguing? The answers to these questions will affect how much you can actually expect to earn. Moreover, how well you perform in your role will also determine your earning potential. For example, if you are particularly good at coming up with innovative ideas and concepts, you may be able to greatly augment your income. Alternatively, if you have a more traditional approach to writing, getting paid per piece may not be a possibility.
The Increasingly Popular Career Path
Just like in any other sport or career, the more you put in it, the more you will get out of it. The more you put in it, the more you will learn. It is a classic ‘learn-and-grow’ scenario. In fact, the number of copywriters working in agency environments has risen by 17% in the past year alone. This is according to the 2019 edition of the ‘State of the Media Market’ report by Futuresource Consulting.
The reasons behind this trend are simple. One, the world of digital marketing continues to evolve and change. As a result, traditional roles and responsibilities that once defined the field are now out of date. Two, emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and automation have upended the job landscape. Three, the increasing demands of online marketing and the growing digital addiction of consumers have rendered many traditional jobs obsolete. Finally, agencies and in-house marketing departments are now searching for multidisciplinary teams in order to stay competitive.
The Increasingly Popular Short-Lived Trends
Short-lived trends are becoming ever more popular among consumers. In other words, people are looking for pleasurable and immersive experiences that they can engage with for a certain period of time. Just look at the rise of ‘micro-dosing’ and other kinds of ‘shallow napping’ for evidence. At least, that is what the Zeitgeist suggests. And what is the media environment like right now? Is there a lot of exciting content to engage with? Are there new and innovative products and trends to absorb into your knowledge base? If you answered ‘yes’ to these questions, you are likely to find yourself in extremely good financial shape. Short-lived trends are popular for a reason. They are interesting, fun, and immersive. So, if you can learn to embrace these technologies and become skilled at using them, you can write yourself a lucrative ticket to the lifestyle you desire. Moreover, if you are someone who is always looking to stay ahead of the trends, you can use this skill to your advantage and substantially increase your income. While this certainly is not an exhaustive list, it does highlight some of the more interesting facts about the field of copywriting. If you are curious as to how much you can really make at copywriting, then take a moment to calculate your own worth. Consider what your responsibilities are and how you intend to grow within the field. The sky is the limit. So, don’t be afraid to dream big.