There are no formal qualifications needed for being a copywriter. Much like other forms of writing, copywriting is democratic and accepting of all walks of life, levels of education, background and so on. However, having some of the skills below will make it much easier for you to produce successful copy.
A high level of English language skills are a must. Clients will expect copy that uses the correct sentence structure, word choice, comma usage and so on. Any copywriter should pay particular attention to the following areas:
There are plenty of free websites to help you brush up on your skills if needed.
And, to go with English language skills you’ll need the ability to spot errors in your own work. You’ll have to be your own proofreader and copy editor. All copy should be as error free as possible before being sent to the client.
A wide vocabulary is helpful. It’s great to have a wide variety of words to choose from, instead of the same hackneyed favourites. However, in some instances it is wise to stick to the tried and tested words – when wishing to achieve a powerful headline for instance.
In order to write convincing copy, you’ll have to find out about the product you’re selling. This means discovering its features, benefits and unique selling points. And, if you want to approach the campaign from a new angle, the more you know about the product the easier it’ll be to find one.
As a copywriter it’s vital to be able to put yourself in the shoes of the buyer. You must be able to persuade the customer that the product or service you are writing copy for is going to benefit them.
Knowing how to carry out research will be most helpful. Being able to use the internet will make that process quicker and easier. Having excellent research skills also applies to your communication with the client. Asking the right questions will allow you to understand the product or service inside out, which is vital if you want to sell it effectively.
It is vital that you are able to listen to your client and provide what they want. They will provide a brief and they expect you to follow it. These skills will also help when carrying out your product research and finding the best angle to write your copy from.
If you want to find out more about being a copy writer request a Writers Bureau Complete Copywriting course prospectus.
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