As if life weren’t full of tests and trials enough, you’ll find that some jobs even require you to complete a copy test before you get the work—or even before a second interview. A copywriting test is a sample writing exercise. It’s a way for a potential employer to see your skills writing for their particular brand. But what does that mean? And is it a good thing or a bad thing? And what is the format?
We’re so conditioned, after our years and years of school, to think of “tests” as bad things. You may find, though, that copy tests are tools that can help you get work.
You may be thinking: “But I already have a portfolio! Isn’t that what that’s for?!”
Here’s the thing, though: Copy tests can be good things. In fact, they can be great things! Think about it: If you’re a fairly new copywriter and you don’t have a ton of pieces in your portfolio, a copy test can help you prove to your potential employer that you’re good at what you do. They wouldn’t be taking a risk by hiring you; they can already see that you’re good at what you do.
Whether or not you decide to move forward with a copy test, here are a few key things to help demystify the process and help you decide when to say no to a copy test!
When Will You Take a Copy Test?
Not every copywriting test is going to look exactly the same for each company. Typically, a copy test happens after you’ve had at least an initial phone screen with a company. Sometimes it will come later in the process, as a last and final step before they decide to extend an offer.
One red flag to look out for is submitting a copywriting sample before you get on a call with a potential client. If you’re excited about the company and you want to put together a spec ad to include with your application materials, that’s totally fine! That can demonstrate you’re really excited about the opportunity.
However, if you’re on the fence of whether you want to work with a particular client, you want to get on an initial call, too! That initial call can help you feel out whether this is an opportunity you want to move forward with just as much as it can help the company decide if they want to move forward with you.
What Type of Format is a Copywriting Test?
Sometimes, the hiring manager or someone in HR will send you a prompt and give you a day or two to complete it and send it back to them. This take-home style copy test allows you to spend as much or as little time as you want on the test. However, the request shouldn’t take you more than 30 minutes to an hour to complete (more on that below!).
Other times, such as if you’re interviewing in an office, the company may have you do a copy test on site! In this instance, they’ll likely limit it to 30 minutes for example.
The copy test will give you the background on a project and the objectives (much like a creative brief would), but you’re also welcome to ask questions about it. Though multiple choice might be nice, it’ll be in the form of whatever work the company would be most likely to have you do. So, for example, if it’s an interactive company, they might have you write a banner ad or an email.
If you don’t have a creative brief, make notes! Demonstrating the types of questions you ask and how you’d approach a project is just as valuable as what you write!
When to Say No to Copy Tests
A copy test should be a small project. I repeat: small!
If a prospective client or company is asking you to write a homepage for them or 15 product descriptions, this is a point where you may negotiate with them. You can say something like:
“I am really interested in this opportunity. With this volume of work, I am happy to do this as a paid project. Or I will gladly provide 2 sample product descriptions as a free sample. Please let me know which of these may work for you!”
It may be hard to say, “no” when you’re first starting out. But the sooner you can value your time, the sooner others will value your time, too. There are so, so many companies willing to pay you for a copy test or accept a small sample.
And, after all, would you really want to work for a company that doesn’t value your time right off the bat?
Not all jobs will require copy tests and you’re most likely to see them when you’re applying for junior to mid-level work. But when you do see them required, do your best to see them as a positive thing and dive into them with enthusiasm. You’re good at what you do; here’s your chance to prove it right off the bat!
Watch More: Should You Take a Copy Test?
Copy tests can tell you a lot about a client. If they’re paying you to do one? It shows they value not only copywriting, but you and your time. If they’re asking you to do a lot of work for free? They may not be your ideal client OR they may just need you to explain what a fair copy test does entail!
On episode 53 of the Build Your Copywriting Business podcast, Nicki and Kate talk all things copy tests, including how to negotiate with your clients for a fair copy test (*ahem* the majority of copy tests should be paid) and the red flags that signal you should walk away (fast!) from a potential client.
Your turn! Have you taken a copy test for a prospective employer/ client? What was your experience like? Let us know in the comments below!
Last Updated on June 30, 2023
A copywriter who has worked in the industry for a number of years, one who is senior and has an online portfolio, should not take a copy test. I had a company steal my headlines from the test I submitted. If they can’t tell by looking at your portfolio (that’s why you have one) then they’re probably not someone you want to work for anyway.
Hi Jon,
I think you and I will have to agree to disagree on this point. 🙂 If a senior copywriter wants to work for a company and that company requires a copy test, I think that that person should be confident enough in his or her abilities to spend 20-30 minutes doing that test. Looking at it from a company’s perspective, (and as you and I well know!) even a good portfolio doesn’t necessarily mean a good copywriter. Copy tests are a way for a company to be sure that the writer they’re hiring really can write well, not to mention write well while adapting to their voice.
Now, actually, this point won’t actually come up all that often, since relatively few companies require a copy test. And I’m sorry to hear about your experience, but I can say that underhanded tactics like that are definitely the exception and not the rule. In that case, you’re right that it’s not a company you want to work with, but I think that has more to do with their stealing of your copy! In a sense, that copy test actually helped you to find out right away that they were an unethical company, before they hired you and wouldn’t pay you or something else along those lines. In any case, I’m glad you were able to move on and find work at other, more trustworthy companies.
Thanks for commenting!
Nicki
Hi Nicki,
I just had an agency request a copy test with the following exercises:
1. Develop 3 campaign taglines with rational for each.
2. Develop a three-phase holiday campaign with a tagline and a month-by-month plan.
3. Write 3 headlines each for 3 products categories.
4. Write seven Instagram posts complete with caption & an image reference.
I feel like this is extensive and am wondering if you agree? Also, do you have any advice on how to handle this? Thanks in advance!
Hi Katie,
Yep, your gut is right: This is an exceptionally long copy test! You’re doing *hours* of work for free. One of these items could be considered a standard copy test alone.
The first thing you need to consider is how badly you really want this job. (Or freelance gig?) If you really, really want it with everything you’ve got…you might just want to grin, bear it, and write the pieces. Unfortunately, interviewing isn’t generally the time to rock the boat. (I will say, though, that it’s a little bit of a yellow flag that an agency would have interviewees do so much free work… Just a note.)
If your feeling though is, “Eh, I could take it or leave it” then go ahead and push back a bit. If I were you, I’d say something along the lines of “Thanks for sending this! I’m really excited to show you guys what I can do. Looking at these projects though, I’m estimating that it’ll be about X hours of work, which is a lot of time to take away from my current freelance clients to do work on spec. How do you feel about me doing one of each item for you?”
*Side note: work “on spec” means “work for free” which is generally a no-no. This is different from spec work in a portfolio, which you have chosen to do for free. Working “on spec” means that a company is basically like, “Do a bunch of work for us and if we like it, we’ll pay you.” It’s definitely different from a copy test, but they’re asking so much from you that they’re reeeeeally pushing that line. I put it in there to gently remind them of that, but if you feel uncomfortable, I’d change it to “…from my freelance clients to do such an extensive copy test.”
It’s not right and it’s not fair, but as I said, the first thing you need to decide is how badly you want the work (and if it really *will* take away too much time from your current clients).
Let us know what you decide and how it turns out!
Thanks for commenting!
Nicki
Hey Nicki,
I’m so glad to have found this article at this time, I’ve been invited by a marketing firm to come take a copy test and it sounded foreign to me, it’s an entry level opening and like you said, it is common to take such tests.
My fear is that i don’t quite get the nature of the test, what kind of questions will be asked and will it be graded or they just want to use the test to access my current skill level? I would appreciate if you can shed more light on this and probably give me hints on most likely questions that may come up.
I hope you to hear from you soon.
Have a great day.
Hi Daniel,
A copy test isn’t really a “test” in the sense that there are questions and answers; it’s an opportunity for you to take a small sample project and write copy for it. Basically, they’re “testing” your copywriting skills. Does that make sense?
Thanks for commenting!
Nicki
I’m interested in seeing if I could be a copywriter. Would taking a copy test be a way to see if I would be a good fit? Or is there better way to find out?
Hi Robert,
That’s not really what a copy test is. A copy test is something a company would use to see how well you write copy; if you don’t know how to write copy yet, you wouldn’t do well on it. 🙂 I’d encourage you to sign up for our email lists – we send out a lot of resources to help you learn more about copywriting and help you determine whether or not it might be a good career option for you.
Thanks for commenting!
Nicki
I am seriously looking forward to making a career in copywriting.Have seen some videos of this high income skill. How to kick start from scratch?
Hi Sabarish,
It’s a great career, but it definitely requires some training. (Like any other career, right?) If you’re interested in getting started quickly, I’d suggest you take a look at our free, on-demand video at http://www.FreeCopywritingTraining.com.
Thanks for commenting!
Nicki
Hi Nicki,
I have a final interview with an agency tomorrow and the recruiter told me today that a portion of the interview will require a copy task test. I haven’t taken one before, but reading through the comments on this article has given me some insight. What I’m concerned about is the lack of information the recruiter provided; it will be completed online during the video interview (as expected) and I have 10 minutes to complete and submit the task for review.
While everyone has a different writing style and process, I can’t help but feel a little stressed about this: who is the brand? The tone of voice? Audience? I can only assume that they would provide me with this information or allow questions before the test begins. I can crank out some headlines in 10 minutes, sure, but the quality may be lacking without the information.
Is this time limit (10 minutes) standard for these tests?
Hi Meg,
Well, I wouldn’t say that a time limit is standard – usually it’s a more along the lines of “Here’s the test – get this back to us by Friday” kind of thing, which is really closer to the way copy works in the real world. (Time limits are more standard for copy editing, but that’s a completely different field.) If that’s how they want to do it, though, you have to play ball! I agree that you’ll need a lot more background information to write the copy, so do be sure to ask questions – they may actually evaluate that as part of the test! Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Thanks for commenting!
Nicki
Hi Nicky,
It’s been really insightful reading your comments and advice to these comments.
I have an amazing opportunity for a Senior Copywriter role coming Monday, at a fairly well-established marketing agency here in South Africa. However, the pressure is on as I’ve been a professional writer for well over 6 years now and this is my first go at getting a permanent Senior role, and I really want to land it!
Any advice from your wealth of experience on what I can do to really impress? I “may” also be required to do a test after the interview, so no pressure…
Thanks in advance,
Lee
Hi Lee,
Good for you! Here are a few posts that you might find helpful:
https://filthyrichwriter.com/copywriting-qa-questions-to-prepare-for-in-a-job-interview/
https://filthyrichwriter.com/copywriting-qa-tough-interview-questions-copywriters-get/
https://filthyrichwriter.com/copywriting-qa-secret-to-wowing-interviewers/
And a copy test would be great – it shows that they’re serious about you and it allows you to show off your skills! Good luck! Be sure to check back and let us know how it goes. 🙂
Thanks for commenting!
Nicki
Hi, Nicki!
I am so glad that I found this article and the comments section. I interviewed with one company who sent me a decent-sized copy test. Unfortunately, I did not get the job, but I was glad to experience what a normal copy test would be like.
I am now interviewing with another company for a copywriter position and experienced some yellow flags, as you called them. In the first interview, they only asked me a couple questions about myself and proceeded to send me a copy test. I began working on the test only to discover that the amount of time I would be required to put in would be excessive. They wanted me to write a short story, write 2 Google text ads and 2 Google remarketing ads for two different businesses, 2 organic social media posts for 5 businesses each, an email marketing email, and website copy for 2 businesses with a 300 word minimum. I also forgot to mention, I researched this company and for the amount of clients they have, it is suspicious that they do not currently have any copywriters at all but only employees in leadership positions.
I am concerned that they post the position to obtain free work from writers only to tell the writer after submitting the work that they will not be hiring them.
I e-mailed requesting if I could work on one project in each section and was requested to do the 10 social posts and the 4 ads.
I am so disappointed, because I am really trying to break into the industry while I am coming from a different career background.
Thank you for everything! I am glad I did not waste my time working for free.
Hi Craig,
I agree – there’s something very suspicious – or at least a little unethical – about asking for that much work for free. There *are* some bad apple companies out there, but so many, many more are reasonable and ethical. But this should also be a good reminder for you that, while you can apply for jobs and positions you find, you’re so much more in control of your career destiny if you go out and pitch companies directly. 🙂
Thanks for commenting!
Nicki
Yes, great article and appreciate the replies since 2014!
Such a great article and appreciate your follow-up since it published back in 2014. I have a copywriting test that is due in a few days for a senior role. I’m not worried because I’m a good (great) copywriter and have done it for this particular industry before and am glad they are putting the time into it.
That’s very exciting, best of luck on the test!
Wonderful! Best of luck to you.
We are so happy to help prepare you for your future copywriting career!
Hi Nicki,
I’m Cindy, a new-to the-game copywriter. I googled what to expect from an upcoming writing test because this will be my first one and wanted to learn more about it. You article was helpful and I wanted to say thank you.
If you have any advise for a newby I’d be honored to receive it.
Thank you again,
Cindy
We are so glad to hear that the article proved useful for you! Here’s a link to a podcast from Nicki and Kate that dives deeper into copywriting tests. https://filthyrichwriter.com/podcast/what-is-a-copywriting-test-and-should-you-do-one/