Whether you’re new to the field or you’ve been writing for a while, knowing when to change course and which direction to take is essential to progressing successfully. The same goes for with copywriting. There are many different aspects to becoming an effective copywriter, but the most basic principle is that you need to learn when to specialize and which areas you should be focusing on to be the best possible version of yourself. In order to do this, you need to decide what kind of copywriter you want to be. There are several different paths you can take to become a successful copywriter, but understanding which one is best for you is essential to getting there.
The Broad Approach
If you’ve been in the field for a while and want to continue developing your skills, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to take a broad approach to copywriting. If you’re not sure what this means, think of a newspaper or magazine that covers a wide range of topics, from business to sports to arts and culture. These are all copywriting tasks and the articles usually contain some kind of common thread, but they are very different from one another. For example, you might write a feature story about a famous chef or you might do an in-depth interview with a sports star. Regardless of the differences, both types of articles require you to do some research, analyze the material you find, and then synthesize it into a coherent, interesting piece that keeps the reader interested and coming back for more.
By taking a broad approach to copywriting, you’re ensuring you have the skills to take on any type of task that comes your way. It also means you could end up writing for numerous publications, something that would certainly increase your chances of becoming a well-known author. The drawback is that a broad approach can make you less focused and therefore, decrease your chances of becoming an excellent copywriter. To combat this, try to specialize in one area and develop your skills in that particular arena. For example, if you’ve been writing features for sports publications, try and focus on a specific sport like football or tennis and become the best in your field. This way, you’ll be able to market yourself as a specialist and have the potential to command a higher rate of pay for the work you do.
The Specialty Approach
On the opposite end of the spectrum, you have the specialty approach. With this method, you develop your skills in one area, perhaps because you admire the work of writers in that field. Regardless of why you’ve decided to specialize, once you do, your rate of pay will likely increase as well. While this might not seem obvious at first, think of all the different areas you could possibly become an expert in. There are business writers, movie reviewers, and even fashion journalists who all specialize in their field. In many cases, you’ll be able to find the academic papers and post-graduate work these writers have done on their specialized topics. For instance, if you want to be a business writer, you might want to look into the following areas:
- Finance
- Management
- Economics
- Accounting
- Marketing
- Research
- Journalism
- etc
Once you’ve decided on your area of expertise, it’s time to take your skill set and begin applying it to various topics. Some of the best advice I can give you is to read widely, be familiar with the industry, and then, begin building your own portfolio. In many cases, you’ll be able to find the academic papers and post-graduate work these writers have done on their specialized topics. For example, if you want to be a business writer, you might want to look into the following areas:
- Finance
- Management
- Economics
- Accounting
- Marketing
- Research
- Journalism
- etc
While it’s important to learn about the many different aspects of copywriting, you need to bear in mind that one of the most basic rules of the trade is that you should always put your reader first. Deciding what makes for the best version of yourself as a copywriter requires some introspection, but also, some outside perspectives. What I mean by this is that you need to look at different areas of your life and think about what you want out of your career. Are you looking to make a difference in the world? Do you see yourself as being innovative or as having good ideas? These are all important questions that you need to answer before taking the next step. It can also help to look at how much you enjoy writing itself. If you’ve always seen it as a chore, it might be time to consider other options just to ensure you have a job you enjoy doing. Of course, you should always try and find the work you do enjoyable, but, if you begin to feel otherwise, it could be a sign you need to find a different path. Just remember: everyone’s situation is different and no one path will fit all.