If you’re interested in breaking into the world of copywriting, where do you start? What are the steps that you need to take to become a successful copywriter? More importantly, what kind of education and preparation do you need to have in order to become a successful copywriter?
Let’s delve into the different paths that you can take to prepare for a career in San Diego copywriting, as well as examine some of the basic skills that you will need to possess as a rookie writer.
Dive Right In
An obvious place to start your preparation for a career in copywriting is to dive right in and take on as much work as you can. Even if you’re just doing some blogging for fun, develop that blog into a useful resource. Start sharing your insights online on platforms like Medium, or even your own personal blog. In addition to gaining experience, you’ll also be able to establish yourself as a source of information in your field. From there, it’s but a stone’s throw to the big leagues.
The Graduate School Route
Another great way to explore your options for a career in writing is to check out the graduate school route. With most accredited MBA programs offering specialties in business communications or marketing, you can gain the necessary expertise you need to break into copywriting. Alternatively, you can also gain experience by taking a year off after you graduate from college to work in a copywriting agency. During your time off, you’ll gain the experience necessary to make the transition into full-time freelancing. While a Master’s in Business Administration may not totally prepare you for a career in copywriting, it will certainly put you ahead of the competition.
For those seeking a more traditional approach, the School of Creative Writings at San Diego State University offers an MA in Creative Writing with a concentration in copywriting. Additionally, the university’s San Diego City College offers a two-year Associate in Arts degree in Digital Writing, which leads to a two-year Associate in Art degree in Creative Writing with a specialization in copywriting. Finally, San Diego State University’s main campus also offers the Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Creative Writing.
The Freelancing Route
For many aspiring copywriters, perhaps the most difficult and most labor-intensive route to take is to go it alone. If you’re looking for a more independent route and want to avoid the 9-5 grind, you can become a freelancer and set your own hours. Even better, if you’re talented and can command a high price, you can probably sustain yourself on one income, leaving plenty of time for writing.
To begin your journey as a freelance writer, you’ll need to have a portfolio of work that you can show to potential clients. If you don’t have any published works to show, then you can use online marketplaces like Amazon Mechanical Turk to find small assignments that you can use to build up your freelance writing portfolio. It’s a good idea to keep your writing and marketing separate, so that you can bill for each activity. After you’ve built up a small collection of work, it’s time to begin pitching your services to potential clients. You’ll need to connect with other writers and freelancers, either through social media or a membership site for freelancers. Once you’ve established enough of a presence, begin pitching your services to different businesses.
In a nutshell, there are three main ways to break into copywriting in San Diego. You can get a graduate degree in business or writing. You can also start your own business or go the freelance route. Or, you can begin your career in copywriting as a freelancer.