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Copywriter - Tile

Copywriter

Copywriters are part of the creative department within a creative agency. They typically work alongside an Art Director.

Copywriters are responsible for creating and developing advertising ideas, particularly the written words, or copy. These ideas can appear across television, posters, digital content, radio, cinema and more. Copy can range from a short headline to longer website content.

A Copywriter combines persuasive, engaging writing with the art direction provided by the Art Director to create work that connects with the right audience. Copywriters tend to love words and language.

Great skills to have as a Copywriter

A strong and flexible writing style, with the ability to write clear, accurate and persuasive copy for different audiences, plus a genuine passion for good writing.
Imagination: you can generate a range of ideas and apply creative thinking to solve business problems.
The ability to find the central idea and explore all the creative possibilities that can grow from it.
A natural talent for storytelling.
A fascination with people, advertising and brands, and curiosity about culture and human behaviour.
Strong communication skills and the confidence to ‘sell’ your ideas.
Openness to feedback and the ability to adapt your ideas in response.
Be great at working in a team: you’ll spend a lot of time with your Art Director partner.
Strong spelling, grammar and vocabulary.

Pathway to becoming a Copywriter

Unlike some other roles in advertising, becoming a Copywriter tends to require some specific writing and creative skill development before starting in an agency, although there are exceptions.

Copywriters may have tertiary qualifications in fields such as English, languages, fine arts or creative communications. Relevant study can also include digital design or technology.

Copywriters and Art Directors often get their first jobs in advertising by developing a portfolio, sometimes called a ‘book’. This is a collection of advertising ideas you have created. They do not have to be real ads that have appeared in the world. They can be speculative ideas showing how you would advertise products and brands you have chosen.

A portfolio allows a Creative Director to see how you think and assess the quality of your ideas. It is often an important part of applying for your first creative role.

Boardroom

Career progression

Creative roles do not have fixed time periods between levels of seniority. Progress depends on the quality of your work, your development and the opportunities available within your agency. Copywriters can progress into senior creative and creative leadership roles.

What might I be able to earn?

The following provides an indication of the sort of earnings you could achieve during your career.

 

We’ve selected a range of roles and provided indicative earning potential. Titles and levels of responsibility can vary depending on the size of the agency, the nature of its accounts, its location and how it defines each role, so these figures are indicative only.

Copywriter - Pay