Advertising Copywriter

Job Description:

Advertising copywriters write the text for TV, radio, print, and online adverts.

Job Category:

Marketing & Advertising

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What you will do:

You’ll work as a team with an art director, who’ll provide the images to go with your words.

You’ll work from a brief that will tell you about the client, their product, the target audience and the advertising message they want to get across.

You’ll then:

write clear and persuasive words
present your ideas to the agency’s creative director and account team, and later, the client
make sure your work meets the codes of advertising practice
proofread copy to check spelling, grammar and facts
work with photographers, designers, production companies and printers

You’ll often work on several projects at once, usually under the supervision of a creative director.

Skills:

You’ll need:

knowledge of English language
knowledge of media production and communication
the ability to read English
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

As well as:

to be thorough and pay attention to detail
the ability to come up with new ways of doing things (creativity)
the ability to sell products and services
the ability to work well with others
excellent verbal communication skills

Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

There are no set entry requirements, but you’ll need to be extremely creative, have excellent writing skills and commercial awareness.

An online presence and portfolio of work, paid or unpaid work experience and a network of contacts would be useful.

It may also help if you have a degree in a subject like advertising, communication studies, creative writing, English or journalism, although some employers prefer diverse degree subjects.

You could also get into this job through a higher apprenticeship.

School Subjects

To become an Advertising Copywriter in the UK, specific GCSE subjects are not mandatory, but certain subjects can be beneficial in developing the skills and knowledge required for this role, such as:

English: Strong language, writing, and communication skills are fundamental for crafting persuasive and engaging copy.
Media Studies (if available): Knowledge of media platforms, advertising trends, and consumer behavior can be advantageous in understanding the context and impact of advertising messages.
Art and Design: Understanding visual concepts and creative collaboration can help in working effectively with the visual elements of advertising.
Business Studies (optional): Familiarity with marketing principles and understanding the objectives of advertising campaigns can be useful.
ICT (Information and Communication Technology): Proficiency in digital tools and communication platforms is essential for modern advertising copywriting.

Working Hours and Environment:

You’ll usually work 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Your days will be longer if you have deadlines to meet.

You’ll spend most of your time in an office. You may sometimes travel to meet clients.

Career Path & Progression:

With experience, you could progress to senior copywriter and creative director.

You could also work freelance or set up your own agency.

Advertising Copywriter