How to be a Successful Copywriter
Does a Writer of Ads Possess Specific Personality Traits?
Aug 31, 2009
Ad copywriting has always been and still is a great career option for those who possess the right personality. Here are the traits of successful ad writers.
A Fertile Imagination
A rich imagination is essential. A writer must constantly churn out food ideas. One way to be a good idea-maker is to read all sorts of trivia as well as books on a variety of subjects. However, many successful copywriters find that they do their best work under pressure.
Observant and Analytical
Like a newspaper journalist, a copywriter has to be analytical, observant and thorough. He must have a good understanding of people – the psychology and motivation behind the buying. The journalist need not persuade, but a copywriter must always do so.
Can Create Under Pressure
The copywriter must know how to cope with deadly deadlines and produce saleable work under pressure. He’s got to be quick and good in order to survive. Interestingly, many successful writers find that they do their best work under pressure
Say the Same Thing in Different Ways
Often a copywriter has to be able to say the same thing over and over again in different ways, and the copy should always sound fresh. He must be familiar with the art of paraphrasing. And rewriting. More often than not, the creative work comes back with sections to be rewritten after it has been presented to the client. Patience is definitely an asset.
Passionate About Copywriting
A writer should remember that he is serving a cause. He is helping to improve the lifestyle of people by making them aware of products that can benefit them.
Said the legendary David Ogilvy, creator of one of the world's leading ad agencies – Ogilvy & Mather: “I do not regard advertising as entertainment or an art form, but as a medium of information. When I write an advertisement, I don’t want you to tell me that you find it ‘creative’. I want you to find it so interesting that you buy the product.”
Research Oriented
Good copywriters don’t sit in ivory towers churning out words. They go out and mix with the people who buy their products and learn a lot from the salespeople who sell the products. David Ogilvy, who wrote the famous Rolls Royce ad, got his big idea – the silence of the car – by visiting the factory where it was manufactured, and riding in the car. Yes, some of the best ideas come from the product itself.
His headline read: At 60 miles an hour the loudest noise in this new Rolls-Royce comes from the electric clock.
Good Ad Writers Can Write Direct Mail
A direct mail writer has a tougher job than a general advertising writer. His success can be measured in terms of sales leads or products sold through direct mail. Whether a writer chooses to specialise in direct mail writing or not, he will probably write direct mail at some point.
According to Ogilvy, all copywriters should begin with direct mail writing. This is because direct mail communicates directly with consumers and elicits a response. This only measurable form of advertising requires a deep understanding of the target audience.
The Thrill of Writing Great Creative
One of the advantages of this profession is the creative thrill a writer feels when he sees his work in a magazine, newspaper, on a hoarding larger than life, or in a TV commercial. A direct mail writer can find great satisfaction in generating a high response which means more business for his clients.
A direct mail writer has a tougher job than a general advertising copywriter. His success can be measured in terms of sales leads or products sold through direct mail. Whether a writer chooses to specialise in direct mail writing or not, he will probably write direct mail at some point.
Musts for a Writer of Ads
A copywriter must be imaginative, curious and observant. He must be skilled at saying the same thing in different ways. He should be passionate about his craft and be able to work to short deadlines.
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