Copywriter

Copywriters are part of the Creative Department within a Creative Agency. They typically work in a team alongside an Art Director.

Copywriters are responsible for the creation and development of advertising ideas, particularly the written words (copy). These ideas can exist in many formats - television ads, posters, digital content, radio, cinema etc, and can be long or short form (like a headline versus the copy on a website).

The copywriter combines persuasive, engaging copy with the art direction provided by the Art Director to create work that engages the right audience. Copywriters also love the written word.

Career progression

Creative roles do not have a defined time period between levels of seniority. Talent defines how quickly you can rise to the top. There is no ceiling for how high you can go as a super-talented copywriter.
1. Junior Copywriter
2. Copywriter
3. Senior Copywriter
4. Creative Group Head
5. Creative Director
6. Executive Creative Director
1. Junior Copywriter
2. Copywriter
3. Senior Copywriter
4. Creative Group Head
5. Creative Director
6. Executive Creative Director

What might I be able to earn?

The following provides an indication of the sort of earnings that you can achieve in your career.

We’ve taken a selection of roles and provided indicative earning potential. Due to the merit-based nature of the industry, the different levels of responsibility that titles can carry – based on size of agency and nature of accounts – alongside geographical location and the different ways in which agencies interpret individual titles, these are indicative only.

To be successful you'll need...

A strong and flexible writing style, with clear accurate, persuasive copywriting skills, that engages different audiences - as well as being passionate about good writing!
A fascination with people, advertising and brands. Be curious about culture and human behaviour.
Imagination - you will be able to generate a range of ideas while applying your creative thinking to solve business problems.
Strong communications skills to 'sell' your ideas.
Ability to find the central core idea(s), and then all the possibilities to create things from there.
Be open to feedback and have an ability to adapt your ideas to accommodate such feedback.
To be a natural story teller.
Be great at working in a team - you'll spend a lot of time with your Art Director partner.
To have strong spelling, grammar and vocabulary.

Common Study Choices for Copywriters

Unlike some other roles in advertising, becoming a copywriter does tend to require some specific skill development before starting in an agency (but there are always exceptions to the rule).

Copywriters may have a tertiary degree in fields such as English or Languages, Fine Arts, or Creative Communications. Increasingly, this might also include study of digital design or technology.

Bookshelf in evening light.

Getting a job as a Copywriter

Copywriters and Art Directors often get their first jobs in advertising by developing a 'book'. This is a portfolio of advertising ideas you have created. These don't have to be real ads that have appeared in the world. They are speculative - how you would advertise products and brands that you've chosen.

A 'book' allows a creative director to see how you think, get a sense of the quality of your creative thinking. It's how they probably got their first job as a creative.

Discover your dream career today!