how can i get a job as a copywriter
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- 17 Responses
- jacobdean
with no experience whatsoever and only the idea that i could do it well given the oppurtunity?
haha
- doesnotexist0
know someone.
- VectorMasked0
Lie.
Promise things you can't fulfill.
Sleep with the boss.
- The first two, at least, divided into areas and disciplines are the basis of any Phd.Corvo
- Llyod0
steal ideas and pass them off as your own. spel gud and be a smart ass.
- mg330
Someone I know, who has no college degree, and no experience writing anything related to copywriting, was recently telling me that someone at an agency was going to get them a job as a copywriter. It would have been great for them, and this particular person would totally benefit from a good 9 to 5 job like that, but there wasn't a chance of it happening.
While I'm with doesnotexist on this one - that knowing people is probably the best start - if you really feel like you could be good at it, develop ideas, write things for a portfolio. Do you do that now? Do you have anything that represents a talent you might have for copywriting? Or are you seriously at the "I could do this" phase but it's all in your mind? Either way, best of luck. While I didn't so much do copywriting in terms of ads, I was the main writer and editor of a great deal of print and web content while at my last job, as a marketing coordinator for a law firm. It was fun, I really do love figuring out the right way to say things, to communicate ideas and make a point. Probably why I type so damn much.
- Llyod0
check your email
- ukit0
Well you definitely need samples of your work at the bare minimum. A well-designed site showcasing your work would probably help. At that point, you'll need to find someone willing to take a chance on you given your lack of experience.
- 23kon0
I'd start by using capital letters at the start of sentences. :P
- TREBIO0
Copywriting almost requires having a multiple-personality disorder. You've got to be able to write copy with many different feels and POVs. It's more than just clever headlines. I'd suggest making mock ads. Offer to do some pro bono work. Or you could find existing ad copy and try to improve upon it.
Consistent innovation is what i would look for. Copy can either inspire a reader or put them to sleep.
- pr20
hook up with an art director who's in the same spot as you and together create a bunch of spec work that shows off your skills.
- stoplying0
Just apply where I work! You're hired!
- harlequino0
Start a topical blog that shows off whatever particular skill you think is your best. Are you funny? or think you're funny? Try along the lines of "TheSuperficial.com."
- jacobdean0
i think this is the first message board post that i have posted anywhere where the responses have been genuinely useful, and borderline supportive. I might have to hang around this newstoday hood more often.
thanks everybody
- businessmanbob0
write something for something so you can have some sort of portfolio. Probably doesn't even need to be published.
- Llyod0
Hello. This is Janice.
Janice has AIDS.Fidelity Investment Mortgages.
- see this shit is easyLlyod
- I know a lot of people who work at Fidelity, so this funny on many levels to me.harlequino
- I was just making up a generic company.mmmLlyod
- boobs0
The first thing you should do is write out a very strong advertisement for yourself. Design a nice ad around that, and run it in your local trade publication.
Also, write yourself a fantastic website.
What do you want people to do? Hire you. Write an ad that makes that happen and you'll have the best portfolio piece in history!
- Llyod0
this is totally unrelated but I have to throw it in while I still remember it...
I was contacted about 5 years ago by a photographer who wanted me to make a flash app that would launch off of a mac laptop. so the second you opened it would start playing a slide show of his work. The kicker is he wanted to buy like 10 laptops and mail them off too potential clients. I had to turn it down because the only guy I knew who would be able to pull it off was a total asswipe.
- 2cents0
First you have to ask yourself if you want to be an ad writer or a design writer. Huge difference between the two.