If you’ve got an interest in writing marketing copy for ads, copywriting is definitely a great career choice. However, you may be wondering what kinds of skills or knowledge it takes to land your first gig or a full-time position.
Thankfully, copywriting skills are relatively easy to acquire as long as you put in the time and effort to practice your craft.
That being said, you may find that there are some additional skills that employers are looking for that you may not have considered. Here is a list of the top five copywriter skills generally requested by employers on job postings and how you can cultivate them.
1. Attention to Detail
Although most people associate attention to detail in writing with grammar and spelling, it encompasses a whole lot more. While it is true that grammar and spelling mistakes can make or break your first impression with a client, there are other factors that come into play. Some of these small details greatly affect things like content tone.
To ensure that all copy stays on brand and readable, copywriters must focus on:
- Following consistent formatting standards,
- Maintaining tenses throughout long pieces,
- Choosing vocabulary that reflects the brand,
- Avoiding repetitive phrases, and
- Targeting the right audience.
Grammar and spelling, as well as mastery of brand voice, is the bread and butter of a copywriter. One in place of the other will not suffice in most situations, so remember to focus on small details like word choice, phrasing, and pacing.
2. Creativity
One of the most sought after copywriter skills in many settings is creativity. While this may seem a little unrelated to business writing, it’s actually an integral part of the brainstorming process. In many cases, businesses will approach a marketing agency for a large advertising project but not know exactly what they want. Maybe they have a general idea of the messaging but not necessarily how to execute it.
This is where copywriters come in. Many copywriters find themselves not only creating topic proposals for clients but also coming up with their own ideas for how to deliver that message
For example, should a company announce a new sitewide sale via an email newsletter or a print catalog? That answer probably depends on the unique aspects of the brand you’re serving and their target market. Knowing how to create a message that generates quality leads relies on the creativity and expertise of a copywriter and their team.
3. Research
The ability to research a topic and communicate key ideas to a user or reader is probably one of the most difficult aspects of being a copywriter. When advertising a product or service, a lot of thought goes into how the benefits of that product or service are explained to potential customers.
For example, copywriters creating ads or content for a company that sells Software as a Service, or SaaS, need to know the ins and outs of what they’re selling. Why would someone use their product? What is it for? How does it make their life or job easier? These are just some of the questions that a copywriter must answer when writing copy for a business.
4. Collaboration and Teamwork
Believe it or not, collaboration and teamwork are the most requested skills for copywriters by employers. According to data from ZipRecruiter, the keyword “collaboration” appeared in 13% of all copywriter job postings. To put that into perspective, the only other keyword that appears more often is “copywriting.”
While this may come as a surprise, it’s important to remember that copywriters often work with entire marketing teams to produce advertisements. This includes graphic designers, web developers, SEO specialists, and more.
In addition, if they work in an agency that serves multiple clients, they often have to adjust their work based on feedback. This means that collaboration, whether with a team or with another business, is crucial to succeeding in this field.
5. Search Engine Optimization
Of the many skills of a copywriter that you’ll see on resumes, one of the rarest is search engine optimization. However, this skill is becoming increasingly important to businesses. That’s because more and more people are researching options and completing their purchases online. This means that there is an opportunity to gain quality leads organically through informational content.
To do this, companies implement search engine optimization strategies, such as using keywords in advertisements or blog content. This helps their site appear higher in search results, increasing the likelihood of getting web traffic and, hopefully, conversions. Copywriters play an important role in this process by implementing these strategies with their copy.
Want to Learn Copywriter Skills? Stratford Career Institute Can Help
We hope you’ve found this information useful on your journey to becoming a copywriter. However, if you’re asking yourself, “How can I test my copywriting skills?” consider enrolling in Stratford Career Institute’s Social Media Strategist course.
In this class, you will learn all the basics of copywriting, as well as social media marketing. This includes creating ads, creating engaging content, defining a target audience, and even starting a business. Request more information or enroll today!
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