For a broad variety of products and services, copywriters are responsible for writing compelling marketing and promotional materials. Such products can range from product packaging and labels to brochures and blog posts, to copies of emails. Furthermore, by writing, editing, and proofing materials, copywriters help define the brand voice and ensure that all copies are consistent with this voice.
Similar Job Titles:
Public Relations Officer, Public Relations Specialist, PR Officer, PR Marketing
What Does a Copywriter Usually Do?
A copywriter is somebody who writes advertising, also known as salesmanship in print. Copywriting is the craft of writing persuasive ads, letters on other content which get people to purchase the company’s products or services.
Here’s a rundown of tasks usually conducted by a Copywriter:
- Produce error-free content that adheres to the company’s style guidelines
- Interpret creative direction and adapt points from creative briefs into persuasive copy concepts
- Simultaneously manage multiple projects with short deadlines
- Propose copy concepts and present underlying strategic thinking to business leader
Produce content according to the company’s style
Copywriting is about persuading an audience into being able to understand, communicate and connect with the business, and it is about having the versatility and skill to shift the writing style from customer to customer and from project to project. A copywriter’s ultimate purpose is to control the actions of people by their words.
Interpret creative direction and create persuasive copy
Some copywriters can concentrate on copywriting for business-to-consumer (B2C), working on materials aimed at general consumers as opposed to companies. In order to make goods and services sound exciting, appealing, and important to their lives, these authors need to be able to get into the minds of people and understand what makes them tick.
Simultaneously manage multiple projects
Copywriters are commissioned to help increase sales, generate leads, enhance brand awareness, and articulate internal corporate communications. Their talents are called upon to help businesses and other organizations achieve diverse and specific goals.
While business-to-consumer (B2C) writing may be one avenue of the business’ audience, the company may also require Copywriters to focus on business-to-business (B2B) prejects. This will usually require a different approach when creating copy. These writers need to be able to understand basic business operations, as well as alter their marketing approaches, so they can make products and services sound interesting, attractive, and relevant to the individual businesses.
For various brands, they need to write in different voice tones; for instance, an ad for a soft drink calls for a different tenor than an ad for a car. Copywriting from business to business (B2B) lets companies market to other companies. Copywriters working in this profession need to be capable of describing the characteristics and benefits of goods and services, while also conveying the company’s personality they endorse and having an emotional bond with the reader.
Propose copy concepts and propose strategies
A copywriter proposes new concepts or ideas, and may take the concept of the client and give it substance and direction. Copywriters are hired on a freelance or permanent basis by agencies, and also work alongside art directors and as part of a design team.
Roles a Copywriter Typically Collaborates With
Copywriters work closely with several different departments depending on the company’s structure. The most common are:
| Roles Copywriters Collaborate With | ||
| Marketing Director | Advertising Director | Customer Experience |
| Creative Director | Public Relations | Art Director |
| Social Media Consultant | Online Marketing Consultant | Online Marketing Manager |
Copywriter Salary
The average annual salary for a Copywriter in the United States is around $52,000.
Depending on industry experience, current skill set, and the corporation, a Copywriter’s annual salary ranges between $38,000 and $75,000.
What is the Copywriter Pay Difference by Location?
The average annual salary of a Copywriter varies in major U.S. cities:
| City | Average Annual Salary |
| San Francisco, CA | $78,002 |
| Seattle, WA | $57,582 |
| Denver, CO | $54,226 |
| Austin, TX | $53,531 |
| Washington, DC | $49,191 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $43,610 |
| Boston, MA | $58,460 |
| New York, NY | $62,293 |
What is the Copywriter Pay Difference by Experience?
Skill levels also determines the pay of a Copywriter. Below is a table of the average wages for Copywriters based on years of experience:
| Years of Experience | Average Annual Salary |
| < 1 | $41,000 |
| 1–4 | $50,000 |
| 5–9 | $59,000 |
| 10–19 | $60,000 |
| 20+ | $58,000 |
Copywriter Job Description Template
[Company Name] is a growing e-commerce company in search of a copywriter that can use various platforms to communicate with our client base.
You’ll be responsible for designing marketing documents, descriptions of goods and direct email in this position. We function in a fast-paced market that often demands irregular work hours and rapid turnarounds, so versatility in this role is crucial for success. We are searching for an individual who is imaginative, inventive, and able to respond quickly to sudden shifts in customer tastes. This role will require you to work in a team atmosphere and use data to make marketing decisions. We concentrate on delivering a best-in-class customer service, and you can play an important role in helping us attain that goal.
Copywriter Responsibilities:
- Write content for a variety of media including social, print, video, and online
- Edit and proof work to ensure high editorial standards are met across all outputs
- Collaborate with internal teams to assess project needs and help with messaging
- Manage brand consistency across all communications
- Develop and implement brand guidelines
- Stay up to date on trends and competitors within the editorial sphere
- Be in control of projects through the whole creative lifestyle
Copywriter Requirements:
- Be highly creative, imaginative, and have an eye for detail
- Be able to understand other people’s views and receive feedback
- Work well in a team and with a range of creative people
- Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Be skilled in writing clear, concise, and grammatically correct copy
- Possess good leadership, people, and project management skills
- Understand the different language styles that appeal to various target markets
- Be able to work under pressure and manage workloads effectively
- Be highly self-motivated and organised
- Work within strict budgets when required