Copywriting As a Career
Is Copywriting as a Career a Good Choice?
In one word - YES - and here’s why.
The following article has been written between myself and AI.
ME:
I’ve Been Copywriting As A Career For Three Decades Plus
Copywriting as a career for myself has been an incredible choice. The reasons for me are simple.
Copywriting has allowed me to work from home for decades
I have no boss and no one telling me what to do
It has given me back my valuable ‘time’ to use as I want to use
The income has been spectacular and alway far higher than any job I can imagine
Copywriting has delivered me a lifestyle that most would die for
Given me the freedom to sit in a coffee shop daily at any time or any hour of any day
Given me a happier life due to the nature of the money being paid
And the skill of copywriting is adaptable and allowed me to diversify into many areas including filmmaking, being an author, a teacher, mentor, public speaker and one-on-one trainer to name but a few.
For me anyone taking the career of copywriting seriously that person can make dramatic changes in their life.
From £350 a week To As Much as £20,000 A DAY
This might not happen to everyone but has certainly happened to me. For example as you might have read on this website I was once a hairdresser for a couple of decades. When I trained as a copywriter my wages as a hairdresser were around £350 per week for around 60 hours and above.
My wages as a copywriter for one of my earliest jobs was £1,500 for ONE HOUR of writing. Then I discovered emergency copywriting or work that had to be written in 24 hours or faster. This at times could give me a payment of £20,000 for delivering copywriting overnight.
As a hairdresser I was earning around £18,000 per year for long hours.
As a copywriter in can earn £20,000 in 24 hours.
Now when you start to think about copywriting as a career the benefits are transformative on a human level. When I began my career as a copywriter - full-time - I suddenly had so much time I really didn’t know what to do with it at times. So in those early days I decided to build my own house with th espeare time I had.
So when people ask me about copywriting as a career - for me - the change has been incredible.
AND …
Copywriting Also Educated Me
I left school with zero exam results in 1979. At 15-years of age I decided not to go back. I hated school but the problem was I was no academic at any level. As a copywriter I had to at least understand grammar, learn the meaning of words, build understanding of writing styles, power and editing.
This was good for me because not only did copywriring educate me it also allowed me to diversify into other directions.
Writing 24 books
Ghostwriting books
Writing films
Writing plays
Writing anything with words.
And this creative ability keeps me alive and functioning. It allows me to be what I want to be - a creator that gets paid for creating.
So when people ask me about copywriting as a career I can only look back at my serious choice to shift careers from a very successful hairdresser with three hair salons but working long hours and seriously underpaid to working from everywhere and everywhere whilst being highly paid I offer this advice.
Take the career of a copywriter seriously and watch your life change before your eyes.
This means reading. This means practice. This means study. This means aiming high. This means looking for new opportunities and keeping your finger on the pulse of what is happening in the copywriting world.
It is always based around
Finding the problem and offering the solution.
Become brilliant at the solution and then become indispensable.
And the good news is this;
Regardless of what you height read about AI and copywriting according to global stats and research demand has never been higher for ACE copywriters.
So if you are looking for a career that gives you
Time
Money
Freedom
And creative output
Copywriting as a career is definitely one of those unique careers worth considering.
Now, I thought I would take the same headline of this article and ask AI for its response.
Here is what it wrote - unedited.
AI REPLIES:
Copywriting is a specialised form of writing that focuses on creating persuasive and compelling content with the goal of promoting a product, service, idea, or brand. Copywriters are tasked with crafting messages that resonate with the target audience and drive them to take a specific action, such as making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or clicking on a link.
Here are key aspects of copywriting as a career:
Purpose of Copywriting:
Promotion: Copywriting is primarily used for promotional purposes, whether it's creating advertising copy, website content, social media posts, or email campaigns.
Conversion: The ultimate goal of copywriting is often to convert readers into customers or convince them to take a desired action.
Skills Required:
Writing Skills: A strong command of language and grammar is crucial. Copywriters need to convey information in a clear, concise, and engaging manner.
Research: Understanding the target audience, market trends, and the product/service is essential for creating effective copy.
Creativity: Copywriters need to come up with fresh and innovative ideas to capture the audience's attention.
Adaptability: Copywriters may work across various mediums, so the ability to adapt their writing style to different platforms is important.
Types of Copywriting:
Advertising Copy: Creating compelling content for advertisements in various media.
Web Copy: Writing content for websites with a focus on user engagement and conversion.
Social Media Copy: Crafting concise and impactful messages for platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Email Copy: Writing persuasive emails to drive specific actions, such as making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter.
Work Environment:
Freelance vs. In-House: Copywriters may work as freelancers, working on projects for multiple clients, or they may be employed in-house by a company or marketing agency.
Collaboration: Copywriters often collaborate with graphic designers, marketing teams, and other professionals to ensure the overall message is cohesive.
Career Opportunities:
Copywriter: Entry-level position focused on writing copy for various platforms.
Senior Copywriter: With experience, copywriters may take on more strategic roles, overseeing the creation of larger campaigns.
Content Strategist: Involves planning and developing content strategies for brands.
Creative Director: In charge of the overall creative direction of advertising campaigns.
Continuous Learning:
Adapting to Trends: Copywriters need to stay updated on industry trends, consumer behavior, and changes in advertising platforms.
Portfolio Development: Building a strong portfolio of work is crucial for showcasing skills to potential clients or employers.
Copywriting is a dynamic and challenging field that requires a combination of creativity, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of the target audience. As businesses continue to invest in digital marketing, the demand for skilled copywriters remains strong.
ME AGAIN:
I think the AI comments are fair, but it doesn’t have the real world experience someone like myself has. Still an interesting answer from it.
I believe 2024 will be an incredibly strong year for copywriters. I beleive the future is incredibnly strong for copywriters. I also beleive it will only get better.
So when anyone asks me about copywriting as a career I hope this explains my feelings in a clear way.
Alan Forrest Smith