Copy Writers

Description

Career Cluster:

Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications

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

---

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Copy Writers

Education

Required Level of Education

• Bachelor's Degree = 71.30%
• Some College Courses = 15.93%
• Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) = 9.72%
• Master's Degree = 1.84%
• Post-Baccalaureate Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree, but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master = 0.61%
• Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades) = 0.61%

Related Work Experience

• Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 33.99%
• Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 14.18%
• Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 13.67%
• Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years = 13.31%
• None = 9.28%
• Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years = 8.42%
• Over 10 years = 4.71%
• Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years = 1.83%
• Over 8 years, up to and including 10 years = 0.61%

On-Site or In-Plant Training

• Up to and including 1 month = 41.36%
• None = 22.62%
• Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 19.29%
• Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 8.22%
• Over 10 years = 4.71%
• Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 3.79%

On-the-Job Training

• Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month = 37.19%
• Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year = 25.20%
• Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months = 19.70%
• Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months = 11.54%
• Over 10 years = 4.71%
• None or short demonstration = 1.05%
• Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years = 0.61%

---

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Copy Writers

Tasks

Core Tasks Include:

• Write to customers in their terms and on their level so that the advertiser's sales message is more readily received.
• Discuss with the client the product, advertising themes and methods, and any changes that should be made in advertising copy.
• Write advertising copy for use by publication, broadcast, or internet media to promote the sale of goods and services.
• Present drafts and ideas to clients.
• Vary language and tone of messages based on product and medium.
• Consult with sales, media and marketing representatives to obtain information on product or service and discuss style and length of advertising copy.
• Edit or rewrite existing copy as necessary, and submit copy for approval by supervisor.
• 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.
• Write articles, bulletins, sales letters, speeches, and other related informative, marketing and promotional material.
• Conduct research and interviews to determine which of a product's selling features should be promoted.
• Invent names for products and write the slogans that appear on packaging, brochures and other promotional material.
• Review advertising trends, consumer surveys, and other data regarding marketing of goods and services to determine the best way to promote products.

---

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Copy Writers

Additional Resources

For information on careers in technical writing, contact:

Society for Technical Communication, Inc.
901 N. Stuart St.
Suite 904
Arlington, VA 22203
http://www.stc.org

For information on union wage rates for newspaper and magazine editors, contact:

The Newspaper Guild-CWA
Research and Information Department
501 Third St. NW.
Suite 250
Washington, DC 20001

---

The data sources for the information displayed here include: Virginia Career VIEW Research.

Copy Writers

Knowledge

%	Subject	Description
93.75	English Language	Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
84.50	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.
76.00	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.
62.50	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.
51.25	Computers and Electronics	Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

---

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Copy Writers

Skills

%	Subject	Description
81.25	Reading Comprehension	Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
81.25	Writing	Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
72.00	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.
65.50	Speaking	Talking to others to convey information effectively.
62.50	Critical Thinking	Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
56.25	Complex Problem Solving	Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
56.25	Judgment and Decision Making	Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
53.00	Persuasion	Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
53.00	Coordination	Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
53.00	Social Perceptiveness	Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
53.00	Time Management	Managing one's own time and the time of others.
50.00	Monitoring	Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
50.00	Active Learning	Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

---

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Copy Writers

Abilities

%	Subject	Description
81.25	Written Comprehension	The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
81.25	Written Expression	The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
78.00	Oral Comprehension	The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
75.00	Oral Expression	The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
68.75	Near Vision	The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
65.50	Originality	The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
62.50	Problem Sensitivity	The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
62.50	Fluency of Ideas	The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
59.50	Deductive Reasoning	The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
59.50	Information Ordering	The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
56.25	Speech Recognition	The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
56.25	Speech Clarity	The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
56.25	Inductive Reasoning	The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
50.00	Selective Attention	The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
50.00	Category Flexibility	The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

---

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Copy Writers

Work Activities

%	Subject	Description
94.25	Thinking Creatively	Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
93.75	Getting Information	Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
86.00	Communicating with Persons Outside Organization	Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
84.25	Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships	Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
80.25	Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
76.75	Making Decisions and Solving Problems	Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
76.50	Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
76.50	Selling or Influencing Others	Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
75.00	Interacting With Computers	Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
71.00	Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
69.75	Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
68.25	Analyzing Data or Information	Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
61.75	Developing Objectives and Strategies	Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
61.25	Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People	Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
58.25	Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others	Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
57.75	Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others	Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
57.00	Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings	Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
57.00	Performing for or Working Directly with the Public	Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
56.50	Processing Information	Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
56.25	Developing and Building Teams	Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
54.75	Documenting/Recording Information	Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
51.50	Provide Consultation and Advice to Others	Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
50.75	Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates	Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
50.25	Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information	Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
49.50	Scheduling Work and Activities	Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

---

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Copy Writers

Work Styles

%	Subject	Description
95.00	Attention to Detail	Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
93.75	Dependability	Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
90.25	Innovation	Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
85.00	Integrity	Job requires being honest and ethical.
82.00	Cooperation	Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
79.50	Adaptability/Flexibility	Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
79.00	Initiative	Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
75.75	Achievement/Effort	Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
74.75	Stress Tolerance	Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
71.50	Self Control	Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
71.50	Persistence	Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
69.75	Independence	Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
66.25	Concern for Others	Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
66.00	Leadership	Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
63.25	Analytical Thinking	Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
61.50	Social Orientation	Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

---

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Copy Writers

Work Values

%	Subject	Description
66.67	Achievement	Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
55.50	Support	Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
52.83	Working Conditions	Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
50.00	Relationships	Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

---

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Copy Writers

Work Context

%	Subject	Description
99.60	Indoors, Environmentally Controlled	How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
98.80	Electronic Mail	How often do you use electronic mail in this job?
97.80	Face-to-Face Discussions	How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
97.40	Telephone	How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
97.40	Contact With Others	How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
92.60	Time Pressure	How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
88.60	Work With Work Group or Team	How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
86.60	Structured versus Unstructured Work	To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
86.20	Coordinate or Lead Others	How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
85.80	Deal With External Customers	How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?
84.00	Freedom to Make Decisions	How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
83.40	Importance of Being Exact or Accurate	How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
81.60	Spend Time Sitting	How much does this job require sitting?
81.60	Letters and Memos	How often does the job require written letters and memos?
76.20	Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results	What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
71.40	Frequency of Decision Making	How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
68.00	Level of Competition	To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
67.20	Frequency of Conflict Situations	How often are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
65.60	Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People	How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?
64.00	Responsibility for Outcomes and Results	How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
59.00	Physical Proximity	To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?
58.20	Importance of Repeating Same Tasks	How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job?
55.00	In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment	How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)?
50.20	Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions	How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
49.60	Public Speaking	How often do you have to perform public speaking in this job?

---

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Copy Writers

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

• Overall 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.
• Examples
  • Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include accountants, sales managers, database administrators, teachers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators.
• Education
  • Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

---

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Copy Writers

Earnings Benefits*

Region	Entry Level	Median	Experienced
United States	$28,640.00	$58,850.00	$83,790.00
Virginia	$34,910.00	$63,090.00	$88,590.00
Region	Entry Level	Median	Experienced
Bay Consortium	No Data	No Data	No Data
Capital Region Workforce Partnership	$44,071.00	$67,358.00	$96,533.00
Central VA/Region2000	$30,478.00	$50,141.00	$69,854.00
Crater Area	No Data	No Data	No Data
Greater Peninsula	$33,269.00	$53,967.00	$61,122.00
Hampton Roads	$29,201.00	$51,249.00	$62,657.00
New River/Mt. Rogers	$29,763.00	$38,744.00	$49,906.00
Northern Virginia and Alexandria/Arlington	$40,340.00	$69,731.00	$90,691.00
Piedmont Workforce	$37,320.00	$51,283.00	$85,768.00
Shenandoah Valley	$28,636.00	$42,012.00	$57,882.00
South Central	No Data	No Data	No Data
Southwestern Virginia	No Data	No Data	No Data
West Piedmont	No Data	No Data	No Data
Western Virginia	$36,772.00	$51,960.00	$79,087.00

* Earnings Calculations:

 Regional Earnings:
   Entry = Annual mean of the lower 1/3 wage distribution;
   Experienced = Annual mean of the upper 2/3 wage distribution.

 National and State Earnings:
   Entry = Annual 10th percentile wage;
   Experienced = Annual 75th percentile wage.

---

The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection.

Copy Writers

Employment Projections

National	2012	2022	% Change
United States	129,100	132,900	+ 3.0%
State	2012	2022	% Change
Virginia	3,977	4,210	+ 5.9%
Region	2012	2022	% Change
Bay Consortium	0	0	+ 0.0%
Capital Region Workforce Partnership	423	478	+ 13.0%
Central VA/Region2000	0	0	+ 0.0%
Crater Area	0	0	+ 0.0%
Greater Peninsula	0	0	+ 0.0%
Hampton Roads	415	441	+ 6.3%
New River/Mt. Rogers	145	145	No Data
Northern Virginia and Alexandria/Arlington	2,040	2,153	+ 5.5%
Piedmont Workforce	282	318	+ 12.8%
Shenandoah Valley	205	211	+ 2.9%
South Central	0	0	+ 0.0%
Southwestern Virginia	0	0	+ 0.0%
West Piedmont	0	0	+ 0.0%
Western Virginia	187	175	- 6.4%

---

The data sources for the information displayed here include: US Department of Labor (BLS); Virginia Workforce Connection.

Copy Writers

Related Occupations

Related Occupations

• Radio and Television Announcers
• Public Relations Specialists
• Advertising Sales Agents
• Insurance Sales Agents
• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products
• Real Estate Sales Agents

 

Careers in Journalism and Broadcasting Pathway:

• Radio and Television Announcers
• Broadcast News Analysts
• Reporters and Correspondents
• Editors
• Copy Writers
• Broadcast Technicians
• Radio Operators

---

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Copy Writers

View Videos

The following videos are available for this occupation:

• Arts, Audio/Video Technology and Communications (7.85 Mb)
• Writers and Authors (2.68 Mb)



Macromedia Flash is required for viewing the videos. If you do not have the Flash plugin, it is freely available for download.

En Español:

• Writers and Editors (2.2)



Quicktime 5 is required for viewing the Spanish videos. If you do not have the Quicktime plugin, it is freely available for download.

---

The data sources for the information displayed here include: New York State Department of Labor; New Jersey Department of Labor; California Occupational Information Coordinating Committee.

Copy Writers

Military Training

• Information

---

The data sources for the information displayed here include: Defense Manpower Data Center.

Copy Writers

Proficiency Ratings

These proficiencies are scored on a scale from 1 to 5 with 1 being not
important to the job and 5 being extremely important to the job.

Proficiency	Rating
Thinking Creatively	5.0
Getting Information	5.0
Communicating with Persons Outside Organization	4.5
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships	4.5
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	4.0
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	4.0
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	4.0
Selling or Influencing Others	4.0
Interacting With Computers	4.0
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	4.0
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	4.0
Analyzing Data or Information	3.5
Developing Objectives and Strategies	3.5
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People	3.5
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others	3.5
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others	3.5
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings	3.5
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public	3.5
Processing Information	3.5
Developing and Building Teams	3.5
Documenting/Recording Information	3.0
Provide Consultation and Advice to Others	3.0
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates	3.0
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information	3.0
Scheduling Work and Activities	3.0
Coaching and Developing Others	3.0
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others	3.0
Performing Administrative Activities	2.5
Training and Teaching Others	2.5
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards	2.5
Monitoring and Controlling Resources	2.0
Assisting and Caring for Others	2.0
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment	2.0
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material	2.0
Controlling Machines and Processes	2.0
Performing General Physical Activities	1.5
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment	1.5
Staffing Organizational Units	1.5
Handling and Moving Objects	1.5
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment	1.5
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment	1.5

---

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Copy Writers

Titles

• Account Executive
• Ad Copy Writer
• Ad Writer
• Advertising Account Executive
• Advertising Associate
• Advertising Copy Writer
• Advertising Copywriter
• Advertising Specialist
• Advertising Writer
• Blurb Writer
• Business Writer
• Communications Specialist
• Copy Writer
• Copywriter
• Creative Director
• Creative Services Director
• Creative Services Manager
• Freelance Copywriter
• Online Content Developer
• Production Director
• Web Content Writer
• Writer

---

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.

Copy Writers

Related Schools

• Averett University
• Bridgewater College
• Christopher Newport University
• Emory & Henry College
• George Mason University
• Hampton University
• Hollins University
• James Madison University
• Liberty University
• Longwood University
• Lynchburg College
• Mary Baldwin College
• Norfolk State University
• Radford University
• Regent University
• Shenandoah University
• University of Richmond
• Virginia Commonwealth University
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
• Virginia State University
• Virginia Union University
• Virginia Wesleyan College
• Washington and Lee University

---

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™.