5 Reasons Copywriting Could Be For You

In an age where everything is a sales pitch; copywriters couldn’t be more in demand. Copywriting is all about producing compelling content designed to spur the reader into action. Businesses, charities and advocates alike require good copywriting to give people reasons to buy, donate and support. If you have a knack for powerful prose and the world of advertising and promotion appeals, then copywriting could be for you for quite a few reasons.

These are five skills every good copywriter needs:

Good Comprehension of  Audience and Niche

Marketing sometimes means putting people into bubbles. It’s a skill I lack, but if you are good at identifying niche groups and core demographic groups then copywriting would be a good fit.

Knowing the audience you are targeting and channeling their voice is a talent not everyone has, infact many writers find their niche by writing for themselves first and seeing what happens next. A copywriter needs to be more tuned-in than that though. Especially if part of an agency rather than a specific singular business. As your intended reader could change from project to project.

So, if you are fluent and reading demographics and changing your voice accordingly; you could thrive as a copywriter.

The Ability to Arouse with Words

I wouldn’t say there are many ways that poetry and good copy overlap but both require knowledge of when to use powerful emotive language and when to show restraint. 

As a poet, I get this wrong sometimes but I learn. Copywriters should be doing this too. What it comes down to is through talent, experience and passion getting across powerful messages without reliance on hyperbole.

Good copywriting will resonate, inspire and embolden its reader into action; is that something you can do?

Out of the Box Thinking

Your angle sets you apart in all elements of writing; a unique perspective gets attention. However as a copywriter, your angle may shift depending on project. You need to be able to think flexibly and constantly shift viewpoints. 

Can you take existing concepts and think about them in new ways?

Apply new perspectives and contexts?

Are you able to think in conconvential but relatable terms?

As a copywriter; to promote a concept or product you’ll need to be able to think around established social concepts and present them in a way that re-contextualises the idea to a wider audience. 

Research Vigilantly 

No-one knows everything but there is value in knowing what you don’t know and how to find out.

Research is more than Googling, it’s knowing how to reference, cross-reference and using information effectively and ethically. Failing to do so breaks trust with clients and readers alike. So, there is a balance to be struck between working fast and having a reliable output. This expectation is a consistent aspect of the job.

Of course, it isn’t just work you need to research; it’s clients, industries and the audience you are trying to reach too. If you’re thorough but efficient, that’s another reason you could be a fantastic copywriter.

Patience

I’ve yet to find any branch of writing that doesn’t require patience. There’s a lot of toing and froing in the job and getting your first break takes a certain degree of persistence, patience and luck. You invest a lot of yourself into the role and what you get back is not always immediate or equal to what you put in. So, above all else, to be a great copywriter; you need to not give up!