Copywriting As A Career, What Do I Need To Know?

[Henrietta]

Is anyone a copywriter here? Freelance or with a company and is it lucrative and rewarding in your eyes?

I've been recently researching this and it's caught my interest and i wondered which skills both professional and non professional are required or a bonus and which is the quickest route into the business? Ie, which course or courses to study?

Tia.

[sandyRoe]

I'd guess first thing you'd need was a flair with words. Maybe a good English degree?

[Zeuhl]

I assume you mean in an ad agency or similar

I can't think of any copywriters i've dealt with who did a specific course, so as in most situations these days, a decent degree in an interesting subject would help you.

Some of the most successful writers i have known in the biggest agencies did obscure degrees then either joined as part of Grad Recruitment scheme or just joined in a junior 'dogsbody' role.

Ultimately, if you can put some work in front of a Head of Copy and they think it shows promise; you're in

I would research leading agencies and key people (Campaign will give you heads up), read any books/articles/blogs they have produced

At some point inevitably; someone will give you a brief and say 'prove yourself' so start 'training' for that occasion

[Zeuhl]

PS

I expect there are formal internship schemes in many of the bigger firms, but if you can find a smaller agency without such a scheme and could afford it; offering to help out for free for a couple of months would give you some insight into the various jobs

[ilovetohelp13]

You can benefit from articles and ebooks about copywriting in general. You will learn tricks to write for the web, start a blog to showcase your writing skills, etc. Although writing is often innate, reading will help increase your vocabulary and improve your writing skills.