It’s a common question. When someone decides to get into the copywriting business, the first thing they want to know is, “What is copywriting used for?”.
In this article, we’ll answer that question and also cover some of the other things that copywriters do and how they go about doing them.
Types of Copy
There are four main types of copy that you’ll encounter as a copywriter: advertising, brochures, direct mail, and websites. Advertising is any form of promotion that doesn’t require you to buy a product to enjoy, such as a magazine or newspaper ad. Brochures are flyers or pamphlets that you give out at trade shows, conventions, or to prospective customers. Direct mail is when you send letters, postcards, or flyers to a list of people who’ve expressed interest in your product. Websites are the digital versions of brochures and direct mail, and they’re used when you want to promote a product or service online.
Each type of copy has its perks and quirks. For example, advertising is mostly used to gain brand awareness and gain new customers. Brochures are handy when you want to inform people about your product or service. Direct mail is great for getting someone’s attention and converting them into a lead or sale. Websites are the digital equivalent of direct mail, and they work well when you want to gain credibility and trust with your target audience.
How Do I Become A Copywriter?
If you’re planning on getting into the copywriting industry, you’ll need to decide whether you want to be a contract writer or a full-time employee. Contract writers are hired for a specific project and then get paid per piece. Employees are usually required to work a set number of hours each week and get paid on a per-project basis. Most employers try to avoid hiring contract writers since they don’t want to be tied to one client for the length of the project. Employees are generally seen as a more stable option.
If you decide to become a contract writer, you’ll need to secure a few sample contracts that you can use to get started. These contracts will allow you to see what your typical paycheck and delivery schedule are going to look like. Once you’ve secured those, you can move onto the next step.
The Next Step
After you’ve had some success as a contract writer, you can apply for some of the more prominent writing positions in an agency or a firm. If you go this route, you’ll need to put in the time to learn the basics of agency and management work. This is especially important if you want to lead a team of writers. You’ll also need to learn how to properly balance the needs of the agency and the bottom line.
You can also choose to freelance or operate your own agency. If you go this route, you’ll need to secure clientele and learn to properly sell a product. You’ll also want to learn how to manage your finances and stay on top of your taxes. Another option is to get a graduate degree in copywriting or public relations. This will help you learn the theory and then put it into practice. Once you get the degree, you’ll be able to more easily get started in the copywriting industry.
The Purpose Of Copywriting
Once you’re in the industry, the next thing you’ll be asked is, “Why do you want to be a copywriter?” The answer to this question will depend on who you’re speaking to. For instance, if you’re speaking to someone in marketing, you might say that you want to use your skills to help businesses create content that attracts, retains, and conveys value to customers.
If you’re speaking to someone in sales, you might say that you want to write sales copy that convinces potential customers to buy your product. You can also say that you want to become the go-to person for writing customer experiences, since this is an area that seems to be lacking talent in. In this case, you might want to explain that you want to focus on inbound marketing, which helps businesses attract, build, and retain customers through content and value delivered in the right way.
Inbound marketing was created by Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, and it’s heavily focused on creating content that helps people solve problems and find what they want. Inbound marketing isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, though. You’ll have to work hard to generate leads and then turn them into paying customers. Once you have, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your new job.