It’s the time of year when we show gratitude for and give gifts to the ones we love. But while we’re celebrating, let’s not forget to show a little love to the founders of the feasts: our careers. Just what would your copywriting career like most to receive this season? This is not one of those, “you’ve treated your friends and family, now treat yourself!” kinds of posts. … [Read more...]
The Difference Between Copywriting and Editing
The word “copy” gets bandied about quite a bit, but how do you know when it’s referring to the work you do (or want to do)? You may see "copy" referring to writing and editing. But does that mean you should prepared to be both a copywriter and a copy editor? The short answer to that is a resounding no. But let's dig into why, what each of these careers entails, and how you … [Read more...]
What to Do When Your Confidence Flags
Confidence helps you charge ahead when you’re trying to build your copywriting career. But what do you do when that confidence starts to wane, and you wonder if you can even make a go of copywriting at all? You know, those moments where you're chugging along fine and then you get a "no" from a client or some feedback that's anything less than "I love this!" and it knocks you … [Read more...]
5 Ways Super-Productive Copywriters Start Their Days
The way you start your day can set you on a successful path for the rest of your 24 hours. Everywhere you look, another article is popping up about how various business leaders and success gurus start their day. But what day-starting habits are most important for copywriters...particularly those who deal with work-from-home distractions? A lot of productivity articles will … [Read more...]
Why We Love Working as a Contract Copywriter (And You Should, Too)
When most people think of switching careers, they think of leaving one full-time job for another. That can be great. But there’s another option that can offer many of the same benefits, plus a few more: working as a copywriting contractor. Many people use the terms “freelancing” and “contracting” interchangeably, and they do have a few similarities. In both cases, you’re … [Read more...]
Copywriters Confess Their Dirty Secrets
Here’s a not-so-secret secret: Nobody’s perfect. But the ways that copywriters aren’t can be very instructional for other new or would-be copywriters. So, let’s unearth some deep, dark truths from real-life copywriters and learn away. In the words of Mary Poppins, I am perfectly perfect in every way.* But I happen to know a lot of copywriters, and I also happen to know that … [Read more...]
What Will Copywriting Look Like in 10 Years? The Future for Copywriters Is Bright
Good news first: the future of copywriting is safe. Copywriting—whether, full-time, part-time or freelance—isn't going anywhere. The bad news is there are plenty of sensationalist stories that will make you think otherwise. Downsizing, outsourcing, offshoring, automation: there are certainly a lot of words for economic panic, aren't there? Add to that the biweekly articles … [Read more...]
Why You Sometimes Need to “Greek It” in Copywriting
“It’s all Greek to me” takes on a totally different meaning in the creative field. Here we look at what “Greeking it” means in copywriting and when and how you should use "Greek" copy. What Is "Greek" in Copy? The phrase “Greek it” is a misnomer. What it refers to is “lorem ipsum” that, yes, sounds a lot like it might be Greek. Lorem ipsum is actually just gibberish—an … [Read more...]
5 Things Clients and Product Managers Wish Copywriters Knew
The people who request your copywriting work—clients or product managers—are crucial partners in the project. But just because you’re working on the same thing doesn’t mean you’re speaking the same language. Here are five things you don’t know that they wish you did. Most clients and product managers have absolutely no experience being on the other side of the table—that is, … [Read more...]
The Secret to Being Prepared for Creative Reviews
Creative reviews strike fear into the hearts of many copywriters. It’s not always the most comfortable thing to present your work to a roomful of people. But what if I told you there’s a secret to feeling much more sure and prepared? It’s completely natural and normal to be intimidated by reviews. After all, you agonize over a project only to present it and get feedback on … [Read more...]