CareerZone
Copy Writers
An occupation in Arts and Humanities
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Write advertising copy for use by publication or broadcast media to promote sale of goods and services.


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Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.


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1. Write advertising copy for use by publication, broadcast or internet media to promote the sale of goods and services.

2. Present drafts and ideas to clients.

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

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

5. Consult with sales, media and marketing representatives to obtain information on product or service and discuss style and length of advertising copy.

6. Edit or rewrite existing copy as necessary, and submit copy for approval by supervisor.

7. Write to customers in their terms and on their level so that the advertiser's sales message is more readily received.

8. Write articles, bulletins, sales letters, speeches, and other related informative, marketing and promotional material.

9. Invent names for products and write the slogans that appear on packaging, brochures and other promotional material.

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

11. 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.


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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.

Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

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

Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.


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English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

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.

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.

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

Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.


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Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Education: Most of these occupations require a four - year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

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


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The college search results are undergraduate programs associated with Copy Writers. Further education may also be required to pursue this career.

The training search results include both short and long-term programs associated with Copy Writers, and may be more appropriate for adult and non-traditional students. Further training may also be required to pursue this career.


Find Training Courses in New YorkFind Colleges in New YorkCommunication Studies/Speech Communication and Rhetoric. - A program that focuses on the scientific, humanistic, and critical study of human communication in a variety of formats, media, and contexts. Includes instruction in the theory and practice of interpersonal, group, organizational, professional, and intercultural communication; speaking and listening; verbal and nonverbal interaction; rhetorical theory and criticism; performance studies; argumentation and persuasion; technologically mediated communication; popular culture; and various contextual applications.


Find Training Courses in New YorkFind Colleges in New YorkMass Communication/Media Studies. - A program that focuses on the analysis and criticism of media institutions and media texts, how people experience and understand media content, and the roles of media in producing and transforming culture. Includes instruction in communications regulation, law, and policy; media history; media aesthetics, interpretation, and criticism; the social and cultural effects of mass media; cultural studies; the economics of media industries; visual and media literacy; and the psychology and behavioral aspects of media messages, interpretation, and utilization.


Find Training Courses in New YorkFind Colleges in New YorkJournalism. - A program that focuses on the theory and practice of gathering, processing, and delivering news and that prepares individuals to be professional print journalists, news editors, and news managers. Includes instruction in news writing and editing; reporting; photojournalism; layout and graphic design; journalism law and policy; professional standards and ethics; research methods; and journalism history and criticism.


Find Training Courses in New YorkFind Colleges in New YorkEnglish Composition. - A program that focuses on the principles of English vocabulary, grammar, morphology, syntax and semantics; and techniques of selecting, developing, arranging, combining and expressing ideas in appropriate written forms.


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In NY the average wage for this occupation was:

$36,280 for entry level workers, and $86,690 for experienced workers.


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Based on the total number of annual openings and its growth rate, the employment prospects for this occupation are described as Favorable.

During 2006, there were approximately 10,970 Copy Writers employed in NY.

We estimate that in 2016 there will be 11,480  employed in NY. This represents an increase of 50 job(s) each year, and a total of 200 job openings each year.


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Writers and editors - Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.

Broadcast Journalists and Newswriters - Visit this link for information on this career in the military.


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Radio and Television Announcers - Talk on radio or television. May interview guests, act as master of ceremonies, read news flashes, identify station by giving call letters, or announce song title and artist.

Public Relations Specialists - Engage in promoting or creating good will for individuals, groups, or organizations by writing or selecting favorable publicity material and releasing it through various communications media. May prepare and arrange displays, and make speeches.

Advertising Sales Agents - Sell or solicit advertising, including graphic art, advertising space in publications, custom made signs, or TV and radio advertising time. May obtain leases for outdoor advertising sites or persuade retailer to use sales promotion display items.

Insurance Sales Agents - Sell life, property, casualty, health, automotive, or other types of insurance. May refer clients to independent brokers, work as independent broker, or be employed by an insurance company.

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products - Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers where technical or scientific knowledge is required in such areas as biology, engineering, chemistry, and electronics, normally obtained from at least 2 years of post-secondary education.

Real Estate Sales Agents - Rent, buy, or sell property for clients. Perform duties, such as study property listings, interview prospective clients, accompany clients to property site, discuss conditions of sale, and draw up real estate contracts. Includes agents who represent buyer.


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