How Not to Become a Copywriter: 6 Unverified Tips
Not becoming a copywriter may be harder than you think! On our unconventional journeys that should have led anywhere but copywriting, we’ve gathered some insights that’ll send you on a one-way ticket to success. You have enough people in your ear telling you the ULTIMATE SECRET to a successful career in copywriting, so sit back. relax and learn a little about how we broke all the rules and still made it work, fabulously. Whether you’re just starting out, or need a little mid-career pep talk, enjoy our field guide taken directly from the scenic route.
1. Copywriting Programs? No! Unrelated Degrees Build Character
Almost nobody in your audience uses their degree, so why should you? Tap into relatability by spending tens of thousands of dollars pursuing education that has nothing to do with copywriting. In our case, it was biology and child development. What schooling won’t you use? Get creative!
“Finding your niche can take time. It can take years to understand what you’re good at and, more importantly, how to combine that with what you’re curious about. I’ve written all my life. I’ve read lots. Reading classic novels gives me an idea of how to tell a story. But it was only after a PhD in biology, and many more years doing a lot of unrelated things, that I was able to combine my love of words and storytelling with my passion for science.”
– Scott Fotheringham, self-employed
2. Spend a Decade or More on a Random Career Path of No Relevance!
Why rush into copywriting when you can spend years in a completely unrelated field? Maggie’s years spent changing diapers and cleaning up messes in high-stress situations didn’t prepare her for copywriting… or did it? This period of time will be crucial to your imposter syndrome, a necessary and lasting feature of any good copywriter.
“Like many other writers, I took the winding road to this profession. I first tried out about 17 other jobs, most of them in clerical roles in healthcare. All my roles had one thing in common: observation. Left to hum along at the edges, I soaked in all the knowledge I could. Who knew that I'd have a chance to bundle up some of that wisdom and use it to help clients?”
– Lauren McGill, self-employed
3. Grammar is for Nerds! Get Creative!
We’ve got good news and bad news. The bad news is that an intimate understanding of grammar won’t impress employers, readers, or local hotties. The good news is that grammar can always be googled, and perfection in this area isn’t a prerequisite for success in copywriting. Audiences are becoming less concerned with “proper” english everyday, and there may be instances where lax capitalization or slang words/spellings help your brand resonate better with your audience. Any copywriter worth their caffeine will adjust interested and literate all the time. Sometimes, you have to compromise what you know is right to be understood.
“Copywriting is a weird balance between writing for function and writing for aesthetics. Even though it’s painful for word nerds like us, it’s okay to bend the rules a little to fit the character count, tone of voice, or to throw your graphic designer a bone."
– Maggie Buxton-Simpson, BOLD LIP
4. Make Sure You Think About Work A Little Bit All of the Time (Except 9 to 5)
If you’re a copywriter, you’ll never be alone again! The shower, falling asleep, and even during dinner—brilliance strikes (literally, ow) when it’s least expected (or welcome). Save your working hours for staring at the wall, opening blank documents, and questioning your life choices.
Just kidding. Writing is an act of creating something out of nothing, and needs to be treated as such. You can’t force yourself to create, no more than you can yell at a flower until it blooms. You can only make sure you create the conditions that make creating possible (read: don’t run yourself into the ground).
“I keep a pad and pencil by my bed (because, facts: phone light is bad for sleep). When I inevitably lie awake stewing about life - boom - headlines come crashing into my brain. This is also true when I'm on a spin bike. I use my phone then, even though the instructor shoots me a glare every time.”
– Jo Gallop, BOLD LIP
5. Embrace Imposter Syndrome: Or They’ll Find Out!
Some of the greatest writers experience imposter syndrome. “What if everyone else is in on a big joke and my work sucks? What if today is the day I run out of words?” Here’s an idea: don’t suffer from imposter syndrome; treat it like a fun heist!
The reality is that imposter syndrome (in healthy amounts) is a good sign that you care about the work you’re handing back to your client. Our tip is to forego suffering from imposter syndrome, but instead treat it like a fun heist. There’s something satisfying about meeting your inner critic every day, laughing in their face and doing it anyway. The only way to really be an imposter writer is to not write, so all you really have to do to prove the imposter syndrome wrong is to write. Even if it’s so-so, bad writing (and the ideation that comes with it) is the first step to good writing!
“I'm still waiting for my Official Copywriter badge. Til it arrives, who knows what's true? Maybe all my clients are actors hired by my therapist."
– Meg Findlay, self-employed
So there you have it, folks!
Embrace the chaos, nurture your imposter syndrome, and who knows? You might just find yourself crafting award-winning copy between bouts of existential crisis.
At our creative studio, we’ve mastered the art of turning unconventional backgrounds into copywriting gold. We have the industry experience, and the real life grit, to understand and speak to your audience in a language they understand. If you’re looking for a team that thinks outside the box (because we actually did not start out in the box), drop us a line. We promise to bring a unique perspective to your projects—and maybe a few well-placed grammar mistakes, just to keep things interesting.