What Do Copy Writers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Copy Writers write advertising copy for use by publication or broadcast media to promote sale of goods and services. They also write to customers in their terms and on their level so that the advertiser’s sales message is more readily received.

Other tasks include:

• Discuss with the client the product, advertising themes and methods, and any changes that should be made in advertising copy.
• Write advertising copy for use by publication, broadcast, or internet media to promote the sale of goods and services.
• Present drafts and ideas to clients.
• Vary language and tone of messages based on product and medium.
• Consult with sales, media and marketing representatives to obtain information on product or service and discuss style and length of advertising copy.
• Edit or rewrite existing copy as necessary, and submit copy for approval by supervisor.

We asked Copy Writers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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68% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 49% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Copy Writers vary language and tone of messages based on product and medium. They write advertising copy for use by publication, broadcast, or internet media to promote the sale of goods and services.

A typical day for a Copy Writer will also include:

• Write to customers in their terms and on their level so that the advertiser’s sales message is more readily received.
• Consult with sales, media and marketing representatives to obtain information on product or service and discuss style and length of advertising copy.
• Edit or rewrite existing copy as necessary, and submit copy for approval by supervisor.
• Develop advertising campaigns for a wide range of clients, working with an advertising agency’s creative director and art director to determine the best way to present advertising information.
• Present drafts and ideas to clients.

We asked some Copy Writers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	87% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	55% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	93% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	68% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	8% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	29% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Copy Writers also review advertising trends, consumer surveys, and other data regarding marketing of goods and services to determine the best way to promote products. They may also develop advertising campaigns for a wide range of clients, working with an advertising agency’s creative director and art director to determine the best way to present advertising information.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Copy Writers Invent names for products and write the slogans that appear on packaging, brochures and other promotional material. They might also Conduct research and interviews to determine which of a product’s selling features should be promoted.

In addition, they Write to customers in their terms and on their level so that the advertiser’s sales message is more readily received.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Discuss with the client the product, advertising themes and methods, and any changes that should be made in advertising copy.

To some Copy Writers, it is also their responsibility to Present drafts and ideas to clients.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Copy Writer, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business..

They also like working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/media-and-communication/writers-and-authors.htm

http://www.agwa.us/

http://www.asja.org/

http://www.spj.org/