A copywriter’s experience can vary from one project to another. You might get the opportunity to work on an engaging pitch for a global consumer product brand, or you could land a media planning role for a leading Australian media agency. The nature of a copywriter’s work is mostly project based, so you’ll never be doing the same thing day in, day out. This is a good thing as it keeps interesting things coming up each and every day. When pitching or planning content for an engaging campaign, you can never know what might come next.
The Evolution of a Copywriter’s Career
As the name would suggest, a copywriter’s career has undergone quite a transformation over the years. For the most part, it used to be that journalists would take on the role of a copywriter, pitching stories to magazines. Now it’s more common for media agencies and in-house marketing departments to outsource this task to an independent contractor. That way, they can have full control over the content that’s produced without risking being locked into a long-term association with a single contractor. This could lead to dissatisfaction on both sides should the project not work out as planned.
The ideal candidate for a copywriting gig will have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, be an organized multitasker, and be able to take direction well. Being a good copywriter isn’t about being the best at writing; it’s about being able to listen, understand, and execute what is told to you. To succeed in this role, you must be able to recognize your strengths and weaknesses, and work on improving all areas of your craft.
Some of the most in-demand (and respected) copywriters out there include: