As a copywriter, you may interact with several types of roles within organizations. Collaboration is everything when working in a creative team environment, so knowing who to ask what question is important!
Nicki and Kate break down these roles and the types of questions you may ask each role during the course of a copywriting project. Whether you are working full-time, part-time, or freelance, you’ll want to listen in so you know how to best work with everyone on your team!
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Note: Nicki and Kate use the term “manager” to describe these roles, but sometimes a different word is used for the same position. If you hear them say “project manager,” but you are working with a “project coordinator,” it’s likely those roles have similar responsibilities.
[2:30] The first role Nicki and Kate discuss is the Project Manager. A project manager works to organize the chaos of a project, or multiple projects, and keeps everyone on the team on track. They help you prioritize your tasks and keep the project running smoothly.
[6:30] The project manager is who you go to if you need more time, or if you have scheduling questions about the project.
[8:00] The next role discussed is the Product Manager. The product manager is responsible for the strategy of the product.
[11:00] If you have a new idea for the company, go to the specific product manager for the product you are pitching the idea for. So, if you have an idea for how to better run Amazon’s music library, you would go to the music product manager, not the Alexa product manager. Product managers will often be the team member leading the kickoff.
[12:20] Nicki and Kate talk about the Marketing Manager. This role makes sure the branding is intact. They are responsible for making sure your copy fits with the brand voice. They provide a different perspective on the audience’s perception of the copy since they are often looking at the bigger company vision. They also specialize in the promotion of the product.
[15:10] Another important role Nicki and Kate discuss is UX/UI Designers. UX stands for User Experience and UI stands for User Interface, they are not exactly the same but they are often treated as synonymous. This role is responsible for designing the wire frame of the product. So, with a website, they would design the layout of the website, stripped of images and content. They will help copywriters see where their copy will be going and explain what content will go where.
[21:10] The next role Nicki and Kate discuss is one they talk about often, the Designers! There are often more designers than copywriters on a given project and it is crucial that copywriters and designers work well together to get the project rolled out seamlessly. Here is an episode of the podcast that goes into more depth about what it is like working with a designer: Ep. 21: How Copywriters and Designers Work Together with Yoav Broum
[22:45] The Creative Director is typically someone from a design background, though some do come from copywriting. They are who you will most likely be reporting to as a copywriter. They are a great resource as they see the bigger picture and can give experienced feedback on your drafts. They will ask a ton of questions but it will help you make your copy the best it can be.
[26:30] Associate Creative Directors help refine the project. They can still provide valuable feedback and push you as a copywriter to perform your best but they are not in a major decision-making role.
[29:30] Another role you may interact with is other Copywriters! Whether they are broken into Junior and Senior positions, they are not your competition. Collaboration is everything in these roles and working together will only bring about great things.
[33:00] Nicki and Kate talk about some funny happenings when copy gets through that probably shouldn’t have, emphasizing the value of working on a team with lots of minds working on the same thing.
[34:50] Another role you might work with is a Developer. They are responsible for the backend of the site. If you have ideas on changing some of the more intricate parts of a website or page, you can talk to one of the developers to see if your vision is possible.
[37:00] Lastly, Nicki and Kate talk about Account Managers. These people are responsible for the majority of the client interaction. You may meet the client once or twice with the supervision of the account manager but they will do the majority of the connecting with the client.
[37:45] Nicki and Kate discuss the two scenarios where a company needs this kind of team. An agency works with various clients to create marketing material for them (think the TV show Mad Men). Working as a copywriter at an agency means you will work for at least a few different clients probably with different needs. An internal or in-house creative team works for the company itself and creates the marketing material internally. A big company like Target is likely to have an in-house team but they may also hire agencies for projects as well.
Related Links
- 3 Phrases That Drive Creative Directors Crazy
- The Creative Review Myth
- 4 Perks of Working in an Office Before Starting Your Own Copywriting Business
- What It’s Like to Work in an In-House Agency
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Last Updated on September 10, 2023
