Embarking on any kind of new project or journey is overwhelming—and a major part of what's overwhelming about it is not even knowing where to start. What should your first step be? How do you begin? So, let me begin with a a simply answer. When it comes to "where to start" with anything, the best place to start is exactly where you are. Before you dismiss that as trite, … [Read more...]
The Attention Dilemma
When you have a problem to solve or a creative project to write for, it can seem like the best thing to do is just sit down and motor on through until you come up with the perfect solution. In truth, that can be one of the worst ways to get to the answer. When you're trying to access your creative mind, sometimes the best course of action is to step away from the problem … [Read more...]
Why Tough Creative Directors Can Be the Best Ones
For most people, the ideal boss/employee relationship is like something you'd see in a movie: Good buddies who grab a drink together after work. But in a creative industry, especially when you're first getting started, this can be the worst kind of boss for you. In reality, the best kind of boss might just be the last one you'd think you'd want. First, let's make sure we're … [Read more...]
Best Backgrounds and Degrees for Getting Into Copywriting
When you start something new, especially something that's important to you, you want to make sure you start in the best way possible. That means, you want to make sure your job history and education are a good fit for it. You may even wonder if you need a degree for copywriting. When it comes to getting into copywriting, there are a few things you might have in your … [Read more...]
What’s a Creative Brief? A Guide to a Copywriter’s Essential Document
In the simplest terms, a creative brief is a write-up of everything a forthcoming project should entail. It gives all of the background information as well as all of the requirements and expectations for a project. When it comes to copywriting, this is the one magical document that you cannot do without. It guides you, it protects you and, yes, sometimes it even calls you … [Read more...]
3 Phrases That Drive Creative Directors Crazy
You did it! You landed a job or a freelance gig and you're flying high. Every day, you get the chance to work with bright creatives and an inspiring creative director (and hopefully even a copywriter mentor). You're working hard and thinking big. But there are still a few things you need to do to stay on your creative director's good side. To ensure a good working … [Read more...]
Is Copywriting Training Really Necessary?
It's a question you'll see on forums across the internet: "Do I have to get training to be a copywriter?" It's been asked so often and in so many different ways that I figured it was time for a definitive answer from a real, live working copywriter who's written for clients and brands you use every day. Ready? Let's get down to it. The answer to the important question, "Is … [Read more...]
Fire a Copywriting Client—Without Burning Bridges
Most of your copywriting clients will be terrific, but every so often you'll end up with a client that drains your creative resources, takes up more than their fair share of your time, and just generally makes you miserable. If that happens, you may have to "fire" that client to free yourself to take on projects that energize, rather than drain, you. Every copywriter will have … [Read more...]
Staying Productive While Working From Home
"Working from home" can sound like a dream: the freedom to make your own schedule, the comfort of working within personal surroundings, the proximity to your kitchen. But whether you're a full-time, at-home copywriter or a professional who has the perk of working from home a few days a week, it doesn't take long to find out that working from home can be much more challenging … [Read more...]
9 Myths About Copywriting, Part 3
Does everyone have an opinion when you tell them you're interested in copywriting? Get the truth about three more of the biggest myths about copywriting in the final part of our series. (Check out Part 1 and Part 2 of the series if you missed them.) Let's dig right in! Myth 7. You have to write copy full-time. Not only is this not true, but it also runs the risk of … [Read more...]