How Do I Become a Marketing Copywriter?
Marketing copywriters write advertisements used to sell products to consumers. Keep reading to learn how you can get the skills and education needed to become a marketing copywriter.
What a Marketing Copywriter Does
Marketing copywriters use words to create persuasive sales messages for television and radio commercials, direct marketing materials, e-mails, websites and more. It's a marketing copywriter's job to write scripts that grab the attention of potential customers and motivate them to buy products. Sometimes, they also have duties coordinating advertisements with graphic designers.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutThisOccupation">Important Facts About This Occupation</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td> Job Outlook (2021-2031) </td><td> 4% growth <i>(for all writers and authors)</i>*</td></tr>
<tr><td> Median Salary (2023)</td><td> $56,299 <i>(for copywriters)</i>**</td></tr>
<tr><td> Work Environment </td><td> Office setting within an advertising, marketing or related agency</td></tr>
<tr><td> Similar Occupations </td><td> Marketing communications specialist, communications manager, public relations writer, editor</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **PayScale.com</i>
</p><h3 id="section---SkillsNeeded">Skills Needed</h3><p>Marketing copywriters must be able to write clear and succinct messages that inspire consumers to act. Because a marketing copywriter can be called on to write for newsletters, banners and more, it's often helpful for copywriters to be familiar with various types of marketing materials. Additionally, marketing copywriters typically work within a team and manage projects, so communication and leadership skills are important. Marketing copywriters must have a variety of skills, including the ability to:
</p><ul><li>Write strategic, creative and original copy
</li><li>Think critically
</li><li>Write messages that connect with an audience and increase response rates
</li><li>Think quickly under deadlines
</li><li>Manage products and work independently
</li><li>Work on several projects at once
</li><li>Use Microsoft Office software
</li><li>Develop content
</li></ul><h3 id="section---EducationalAndCareerOpportunities"> Educational and Career Opportunities</h3><p>A bachelor's degree may be required to attain employment. Completing a degree program in advertising, marketing or copywriting can help aspiring marketing copywriters learn to sell services and products and build loyal customer bases for companies. Students explore why ad campaigns succeed, what makes products sell well and why consumers behave in certain ways. Communications and journalism students are trained in producing written communications for a variety of audiences and in developing skills that are adaptable to marketing copywriting.
</p><p>In addition to a bachelor's degree, some employers require a few years of experience. Degree programs sometimes require an internship, and this could be a valuable way to achieve some professional experience.</p>