The main duty of a copywriter is to write the words, used in advertisements for newspapers, radio, television, magazines and other media. Copywriters may also write publicity releases, promotional or informational booklets, sales promotion materials or they may work on merchandising campaigns, sometimes radio and television commercials or trade journal articles about products or services.
A part of an agency copywriter's duties may be working on annual reports, sales brochures, point- of-purchase materials, instruction manuals and press releases. Copywriters may also be hired to prepare advertising materials and station announcements. No matter what size of the operation is, copywriters must be knowledgeable about copy writing, art and layout, space and time buying and selling a copy.
Copywriting positions generally require a college degree. A good educational base is provided by a combination of liberal arts and the appropriate business courses. Some colleges offer degrees in communications and their programs may include copywriting training courses. Special courses in creative writing and copywriting training are useful, as it is a familiarity with the word processing equipment.
It is important to combine both: formal education and an actual writing experience. One of the possible ways to gain this experience is writing for school and community publications. Among other ways to gain the necessary experience is writing news releases or advertisements for school or community projects. Well-written essays and other academic assignments can also be presented as examples of ability. Advertising agencies that hire inexperienced workers prefer college graduates. Those, who already work as copywriters, can improve their copywriting skills due to the numerous copywriting training courses (web copywriting training, advertising copywriting courses, etc.)
Several ways of promotion are open to copywriters in a large department store. Copywriters may begin with a Copy Chief or Fashion Coordinator. Their next upper step may be a division manager of fashions or home furnishings, and ultimately, a head of the advertising department.
If a copywriter works in an agency, he may advance to a Copy Supervisor and then to a Copy Chief; some copywriters become Account Executives. Any promotion may be characterized by a salary increase or by assignment to more important accounts. A copywriter with a high degree of creative and administrative talent has high chances to head up an agency.
About forty thousand dollars per year is an average wage for copywriters. This number varies, depending on a position: Assistant Copywriters earn from twenty seven to thirty five thousand dollars per year, Senior Copywriters can earn up to a hundred thousand dollars per year or more, Agency Copy Chiefs can earn up to hundred and twenty five thousand dollars annually, Creative Directors, who supervise the art as well as a copy work and who are responsible for the entire process, earn up to a fifth of a million per year.