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Home » How to Get a Copywriting Job – A Step-by-Step Guide

How to Get a Copywriting Job – A Step-by-Step Guide

So you’ve decided that you want to be a copywriter. Congrats! Now it’s time to figure out how to get the job. In this article, we’ll discuss how to get a copywriting job, the skills you’ll need for the job, and how to perform well on your first few assignments.

The Basics

The first thing you need to do is figure out what kind of copy you’ll be producing. You’ll be surprised by how many different kinds of copy there are out there. Just because you’re a creative type doesn’t mean you have to limit yourself to writing product descriptions or advertising jingles. There are many different types of copy you can produce, so you’ll need to decide what makes the most sense for your business.

The Goods

The next thing you’ll need to do is decide what type of goods or services you’ll need to describe in your copy. The easiest way to figure this out is to think about what your business offers. What products do you sell, and how do they work? Your product description should reflect the answers to these questions. Don’t worry, you don’t need to describe every single product in your business. If you want, you can focus on one product at a time and use sub-headings to describe other products you offer.

The Competition

Now that you have a clear idea of what kind of copy you’ll be producing, it’s time to figure out who you’ll be competing with. This is especially important if you’re looking for a job, as you don’t want to end up working for someone whose work you dislike.

There are a few different tactics you can use to find the best possible clients for your business. First, look for client-specific forums online that you can use to find feedback about their experiences with different copywriters. If possible, reach out to the forum’s owners and ask if they’ll be open to providing feedback to prospective clients.

Know Your Audience

One of the most important things you’ll need to do if you want to be a successful copywriter is to know your audience. You don’t need to be completely familiar with every aspect of your audience’s lives, but you should have a good understanding of them. This will help you determine what type of content to produce and where to focus your efforts. If you can, take a minute to think about the people you’ll be working with and what they want.

To start, you can use research tools like Google Analytics to see what kind of content your audience is consuming. This will help you understand what appeals to them and what doesn’t. For example, if you notice that your target audience is mostly city slickers who like hip hop music and sophisticated comedy, but doesn’t really like country music or cornball jokes, then you might want to reevaluate your strategy for finding customers.

The Skills

Now that you have a clear idea of what you’ll need to produce to get the job, it’s time to figure out the skills you’ll need to be successful. Fortunately, being a good copywriter is a lot easier than it seems. Once you begin to specialize in this area, you’ll find that your productivity levels increase significantly. So if you want to be able to produce high-quality work and land yourself a job, then you should learn and develop the following skills.

1. Research. You’ll need to be able to find the information you need quickly and efficiently. If you have a tendency to spend a lot of time doing internet searches, then now is the perfect time to learn how to use a library card. Invest in a good, research-driven library, and you’ll never be caught short on material again. Better yet, get a friend who’s really good at researching to do your searches for you.

2. Grammar. This should be a given, but we think it deserves a special mention. Learn to use grammar correctly, and you’ll instantly make yourself accessible to readers. As a copywriter, you’re selling an idea, not just words. So make sure your spelling and grammar are on point.

3. Creative Writing. You’ll need to be able to write creatively, which doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be a talented writer. However, it does mean you need to have a good sense of what would make a good story and be able to put it into words. Being a good copywriter means knowing how to make words do their job, which is to make the reader engage with what you’re saying. So instead of just giving the reader a recap of what happened, you can use creative writing to retell the story in a way that’s both entertaining and informative.

4. Persuasive Writing. This is one of the most important skills to learn if you want to be a successful copywriter. To quote John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States, “facts are stubborn things, but statistics are slippery.” A good copywriter can use both in tandem to make an argument or point strongly. For example, let’s say you’re writing an article about hiking and camping equipment. You could use a few statistics about the number of people who’ve gone on vacation using these items and then conclude with a powerful argument based on those facts.

At the end of the day, no one’s going to read your article if it’s too long or too wordy. So edit ruthlessly, cut out the unnecessary verbiage, and you’ll make sure your reader stays engaged the whole time. Make the most of the information you have and what appeals to your target audience.

Where To Land Your Job

The final piece of the puzzle is where you’ll need to land your job as a copywriter. The best place to start is by networking. If you’ve ever been to a networking event, then you’ve already encountered this simple yet effective technique for getting new contacts. Simply put, you meet people, exchange contact information, and then you’re both on your way.

Another great place to look for employment is local business journals or magazines. Not only will you be able to network and show off your skill set, but you’ll also get to demonstrate how you can provide value to a potential employer. Search for business journals in your area, and then begin contacting their editorial offices directly.

If none of the above sound good to you, then don’t worry, you have another option. Start a blog. This isn’t just another fad diet or beauty blog. It’s a marketing tool. When a customer visits your blog, you automatically have their contact information. If you want, you can even set up a form at the end of the blog post, allowing people to subscribe to your list. Should someone be interested in your services, then they’ll have your contact information right in front of them.

So there you have it. Now that you know what you need to do to get a job as a copywriter, it’s time to get started. Good luck! And don’t forget, practice makes perfect.