Crafting high-quality content, managing website and blog copy and integrating search engine optimization into new and existing work – just another day in the life of a copywriter.
What Does a Copywriter Do?
A copywriter writes content that appears on the company’s website and social media pages, edits text from across the organization and generates compelling email marketing campaigns.
Writing
Copywriters brainstorm, pitch, outline, write and submit content in their company’s designated tone and voice. They write blog posts, white papers, press releases, social media posts, case studies, newsletters and anything else that needs to catch a reader’s attention with words.
Editing
Copywriters often edit the work of other copywriters. If their employer doesn’t have an additional editing team, copywriters might even edit any content that other teams create, such as product descriptions or marketing and sales slide decks.
Email Marketing
Many companies rely on their copywriters to generate compelling email content that attracts consumers and increases click-through rates. Copywriters draft catchy subject lines and write succinct emails that contain calls to action and internal links.
What Skills Should a Copywriter Have?
Essentials
Copywriters should have a strong understanding of grammar, syntax and punctuation to create and edit successful content. In addition, copywriters should also be well versed in the following areas:
- Microsoft Office, Google Docs and other content generation tools.
- Content management systems.
- Social media content basics.
- Search engine optimization (SEO).
- Associated Press Style or Chicago Manual of Style.
- HTML.
Soft skills
Apart from being a strong writer and editor, copywriters should also have the following soft skills:
Team player: Writers typically work as a part of a larger team. Whether they collaborate with team members or co-workers in other departments, copywriters should be able to take constructive criticism from their peers.
Detail-oriented technique: When they write and edit content, copywriters must have a strong attention to detail to maintain consistency in brand voice and grammar. If the content creation involves research, the copywriter should know how to properly incorporate and cite statistics.
Deadline driven: Copywriters are no strangers to tight deadlines. They must do whatever it takes to turn out copy with speed and quality.
Creative: Although plenty of their work is analytical, copywriters must have a strong sense of creativity to succeed in their craft. They should be able to think outside the box when they brainstorm as well as when they put pen to paper.
Interview Questions to Ask Copywriter Candidates
- Are you familiar with our company’s website/blog?
- What is your experience in working under tight deadlines?
- Do you feel confident writing in someone’s else’s brand voice? If you’ve done this before, share your experience learning how to write from a different point of view.
- What types of content formats have you worked on before?
- How would you describe your writing process? Do you prefer to tackle multiple tasks at once or handle one item at a time?
Profiles Copywriter Recruitment
Whether you’re looking for a copywriter or hoping to become one someday, the copywriter recruiters at Profiles know what it takes to connect today’s businesses with highly qualified copywriter candidates.
