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What are best ways to break into the copywriting industry?
I currently work in the mortgage field, but I am passionate about #writing and am looking to make a career shift. I am unsure how I can break into the writing field with no experience.
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Barry’s Answer
Hi Brielle, your question is a common one because lots of people wonder how to break into copywriting. First, you need to know that there are a number of different kinds of copywriting. Most people think of it as advertising or public relations writing, but it can be more broadly defined as any kind of writing for marketing, either for a company or for an agency that creates marketing for clients.
One of the best things you can do if you want to get into the business is find an opportunity to practice your writing and build a portfolio of writing samples. You can do this by first studying and reading about advertising and marketing. Then see if you can learn how advertising copy is written and try doing it yourself. Look at ads for products that interest you and see if you can create your own ads. It may be very difficult at first but keep trying. Your goal should be to create writing samples that show you have the potential to be a copywriter. Collect these samples in a portfolio.
Next try to find someone through networking or referrals who is in the marketing business and see if they can give you some guidance. Ideally this person or people will be able to critique your writing and offer some constructive criticism or advice. Maybe you can find out about an internship or an entry level position through this person. Most copywriters start out as assistants or junior copywriters and learn on the job.
When I began my career, I transitioned from being a high school English teacher to doing public relations writing for a college. Then I took a job as an advertising copywriter. I was good at it so eventually I was able to use my skill to start my own agency after many years in the business. To get to that point, you have to work hard at it to keep getting better. Having a passion for writing really helps, but you also must learn what it means to use words to market things.
I hope this helps you!
One of the best things you can do if you want to get into the business is find an opportunity to practice your writing and build a portfolio of writing samples. You can do this by first studying and reading about advertising and marketing. Then see if you can learn how advertising copy is written and try doing it yourself. Look at ads for products that interest you and see if you can create your own ads. It may be very difficult at first but keep trying. Your goal should be to create writing samples that show you have the potential to be a copywriter. Collect these samples in a portfolio.
Next try to find someone through networking or referrals who is in the marketing business and see if they can give you some guidance. Ideally this person or people will be able to critique your writing and offer some constructive criticism or advice. Maybe you can find out about an internship or an entry level position through this person. Most copywriters start out as assistants or junior copywriters and learn on the job.
When I began my career, I transitioned from being a high school English teacher to doing public relations writing for a college. Then I took a job as an advertising copywriter. I was good at it so eventually I was able to use my skill to start my own agency after many years in the business. To get to that point, you have to work hard at it to keep getting better. Having a passion for writing really helps, but you also must learn what it means to use words to market things.
I hope this helps you!
Dupre Jones
International Logistics and Supply Chain Management Leader
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Dupre’s Answer
I went to MBA school with many classmates interested in changing careers from what they did before. Many classmates found volunteer work in the areas they wanted to pursue. What types of causes do you feel most passionate about - animals, environment, politics, youth, women in business? Volunteering allows you to get "free" experience and put something on your resume. It also gives you something to talk to employers when they ask "what experience do you have in copywriting?" Copywriting can be with helping to publish newsletters, blogs, edit others' contributions, etc.
Contact and attend events from professional groups - PRSA, AMA, etc.
Find non-profits who need help with producing publications - even sales/fundraising letters
Dupre recommends the following next steps:
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Lauren’s Answer
That can be tricky. But it can be done. Perhaps take some online courses that you can add to your resume. And it may be beneficial for you to look at copywriting jobs for financial institutions at first. Given your background, I think you could sell yourself as a candidate given your extensive knowledge in the financial industry. And hopefully once you're in, you can learn in that role and then venture out to a different subject matter. You can also get involved in the advertising community. When I was out of college I joined an Ad Club in my city to help me network. Every month an agency hosted and you got to meet various people in different roles in the creative/agency world. Hope this helps and good luck!