Marketing & PR Firms - What Credentials Does a Copywriter Require for Employment?
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Copywriters work as employees in advertising agencies, editorial consultancies, public relations consultancies and marketing departments of companies with regular writing requirements. Other copywriters are self-employed, working on a project or contract basis for the same types of organization. Employers require different credentials depending on the type of writing they produce, but all would look for qualifications up to degree level in a communications subject, previous experience as a professional writer and a track record of successful writing projects in various media.
Qualifications
Although a degree is not essential, it can give you an advantage over other candidates. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, keen competition for copywriting jobs means that a degree in a subject such as communications, journalism or English is useful. It is also possible to take an undergraduate course in copywriting. The website Hot Courses Abroad states that five universities and colleges in the United States offer this specialized course.
Experience
Experience as a professional writer is important when you are seeking employment. Employers need to feel confident that you can produce work to the right quality and meet the tight deadlines that characterize the communications industry. You need to show examples of completed projects and provide background on the brief, timescales and the results that your writing achieved.
Media
Writing experience must also be relevant: writers in public relations consultancy must be able to demonstrate skills in writing press releases and editorial content; advertising copywriters should be able to show examples of campaigns in the press, radio, television and online media. Companies that employ writers in their marketing department look for broad writing experience in areas such as newsletters, brochures, training manuals, website content and product information to meet their diverse communication programs. Online media agencies look for specific skills in writing Web content and material for social media.
Markets
Some specialist agencies and consultancies offer clients market-specific services. Some advertising agencies focus on business-to-business campaigns, or sector-specific campaigns for financial services or technology companies, for example. Company marketing departments will also look for relevant industry experience in your writing credentials.
Freelance
Employed writers are in a minority in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with around 70 percent of writers and authors self-employed. Advertising agencies, public relations consultancies and company marketing departments hire freelance copywriters, generally for specific projects. Formal qualifications are less important for freelancers; companies look for specific skills and experience on the type of project they are commissioning.
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Marketing, Marketing amp; PR Firms
Qualifications
Although a degree is not essential, it can give you an advantage over other candidates. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, keen competition for copywriting jobs means that a degree in a subject such as communications, journalism or English is useful. It is also possible to take an undergraduate course in copywriting. The website Hot Courses Abroad states that five universities and colleges in the United States offer this specialized course.
Experience
Experience as a professional writer is important when you are seeking employment. Employers need to feel confident that you can produce work to the right quality and meet the tight deadlines that characterize the communications industry. You need to show examples of completed projects and provide background on the brief, timescales and the results that your writing achieved.
Media
Writing experience must also be relevant: writers in public relations consultancy must be able to demonstrate skills in writing press releases and editorial content; advertising copywriters should be able to show examples of campaigns in the press, radio, television and online media. Companies that employ writers in their marketing department look for broad writing experience in areas such as newsletters, brochures, training manuals, website content and product information to meet their diverse communication programs. Online media agencies look for specific skills in writing Web content and material for social media.
Markets
Some specialist agencies and consultancies offer clients market-specific services. Some advertising agencies focus on business-to-business campaigns, or sector-specific campaigns for financial services or technology companies, for example. Company marketing departments will also look for relevant industry experience in your writing credentials.
Freelance
Employed writers are in a minority in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with around 70 percent of writers and authors self-employed. Advertising agencies, public relations consultancies and company marketing departments hire freelance copywriters, generally for specific projects. Formal qualifications are less important for freelancers; companies look for specific skills and experience on the type of project they are commissioning.
