If you’re reading this, I assume you’re either an aspiring writer or an advertising creative who just so happens to work in copywriting. Few industries have been as prolific in producing famous creative writers as advertising. From David Ogilvy to John Hegarty and Dan D’Imperio, there are literally hundreds of famous names to be associated with the industry. One of the main reasons behind this is because it provides such a wealth of opportunity for writers. Whether you specialise in creative briefs or just want to be able to bring your own ideas to life through writing, here are some fantastic tips on how to make the most of your time at an ad agency.
Learn The Craft
This may seem obvious, but it’s amazing how many people don’t take the time to learn the craft before they enter the field. Being creative writing in an ad agency is a highly specialised skill set that takes a lot of training and practice to perfect. You’ll need to do some research into the different kinds of advertising campaigns that ad agencies typically run. This will help you decide what you want to specialise in and, more importantly, show you what you’re capable of.
Get Inspired
One of the most exciting things about working in advertising is getting the opportunity to be creative and make your own ideas a reality. However, this requires a bit of inspiration, which may come in the shape of a good story or an idea for an advert campaign. Inspiration can come from anywhere, so be sure to keep your mind open to whatever ideas or stories the muse may throw your way. It’s important to take time out to explore new ideas and not be afraid to try something different. Sometimes, the best way to get inspired is to step away from your desk and get in touch with your audience. Do some research into what kinds of advertisements your target group would most benefit from and write down some ideas. Then, when you come back, you’ll have a few options to choose from and can begin to build a campaign around one of these ideas.
Join A Society
One of the things that make the job of a creative writer at an ad agency so special is the opportunity to network with some of the top names in advertising. In most cases, you’ll be working on briefs submitted by senior managers at the agency, so it’s important to build up your professional network. This could prove to be invaluable in the future as you work on your own creative projects or pitch for freelance work. Joining a society of creative writers could prove to be a great opportunity to learn from the best and gain valuable employment contacts. You may even get the chance to contribute ideas to existing campaigns or get involved in the development process from the very beginning. The choice is ultimately up to you!
Build A Portfolio
Another important step to take as you work on establishing yourself in the industry is to build up a portfolio of your work. If you’re not exactly sure how to go about doing this, there are a number of different ways that you can get expert help. One of the simplest ways is to find a literary agent and get them to take on your work for representation. Having a reputable agent handle your work means that, from the very beginning, you’ll have the opportunity to pitch to the top decision-makers in the industry. The best part about this is that you won’t have to worry about finding publishers or print outlets for your work. The agent will do all of that for you. It’s important to note, however, that finding an agent does not mean that you’ll automatically get representation. It’s a matter of finding the right match between you and the agent. Once you’ve found that match, the future looks incredibly bright. You can then proceed to build up a body of work that will put you in good stead for gaining further employment opportunities in the future.
Get A Mentor
Another effective way of getting expert help in the creative writing world is to get a mentor. This could be someone who is already established in the industry and is willing to give you some advice on how to get started or, alternatively, a professor at a nearby university who is willing to give you some extra support. Many high-profile creative writers have gone on to become successful commercial scriptwriters and have since provided them with valuable advice on how to break into the field. A mentor can be a great source of inspiration for your creative work and help guide you along the way to establishing yourself as a commercial creative writer. It’s important to be realistic about what kind of guidance you’ll get from a mentor. They may not be able to give you all of the answers, but they can point you in the right direction and give you some tools to begin your journey to fame and fortune.
Advertising is a special industry, one that provides you with endless opportunity to be creative and develop your skills. If you’re passionate about writing and curious about how to make the most of your time at an ad agency, these tips should help get you there. With a little bit of dedication and some talent, you may well be able to carve out a successful niche for yourself in the industry. Good luck out there!