Writers/Authors

Writers/Authors originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.

Sample of reported job titles: Advertisement Agency Copywriter (Ad Agency Copywriter), Advertising Associate, Advertising Copywriter, Advertising Writer, Communications Specialist, Copywriter, Freelance Copywriter, Promotion Writer, Search Engine Optimization Copywriter (SEO Copywriter), Web Content Writer.

Occupation specific Information

Tasks:

• Develop advertising campaigns for a wide range of clients, working with an advertising agency's creative director and art director to determine the best way to present advertising information.

• Vary language and tone of messages based on product and medium.

• Present drafts and ideas to clients.

• Discuss with the client the product, advertising themes and methods, and any changes that should be made in advertising copy.

• Review advertising trends, consumer surveys, and other data regarding marketing of goods and services to determine the best way to promote products.

Occupational Requirement

Work Activities

• Develop promotional strategies or plans.

• Write advertising or promotional material.

• Confer with clients to determine needs.

• Present work to clients for approval.

• Monitor current trends.

Education & Experience Requirement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in English, Literature, BFA in creative writings, MFA in creative writings, self-learning

Related Experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Job Training

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Skills Required

• Writing — communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

• Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

• Active Listening — giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

• Speaking — talking to others to convey information effectively.

• Critical Thinking — using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Knowledge Required

• Sales and Marketing — Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

• Communications and Media — Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

• Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

• Computers and Electronics — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Worker Characteristic

• Artistic — Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

• Enterprising — Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Related Occupation

•  Advertising and Promotions Managers

•  Advertising Sales Agent

•  Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers

•   PR specialists

• Search Marketing Strategists