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Copywriter
Writer (Copy) )



Duties and Tasks
Specialisations
Quick Facts
Personal Requirements
Related Industries
Labour Market
Related Jobs
Earnings
Related Courses
Further Information
State Specific Information

Reviewing a previous advertisement for a client
Reviewing a previous advertisement for a client


Copywriters interpret how a potential market will react to an advertising proposal, and write material to advertise products or services. 

Fact Sheet

Duties and Tasks

Copywriters may perform the following tasks:

  • study products or services to decide the main selling features
  • assist art directors with ideas for advertising and promotion, often thinking up names for products and the slogans that appear on the packaging and other promotional material
  • plan and write headlines and text in such a way as to appeal to the people most likely to buy the product, and submit copy for approval
  • write advertisements for newspapers, magazines, radio, television, cinema screens, billboards, catalogues and displays in shops
  • write brochures, annual reports, documents, speeches and other sales and promotional material
  • discuss theme, style and length of copy with advertisers or management, to determine the most suitable approach.

Specialisations

Copywriters may specialise as continuity writers who write scripts for announcers to provide continuity for radio and television broadcasts (see description for Writer).

With experience and sometimes further training, copywriters may become creative directors in advertising agencies, where they supervise the work of staff in the design area, or advertising managers in retail or manufacturing firms.

Info Icon Quick Facts

Learning Area Performing Arts  
Work Demand Including good vision for detail  
Including mainly indoor work  
Including reading or writing  
Work Field Literature and Social Sciences  
Work Interest Creative or Artistic  
Persuading or Service  
Skill Level Para Professional Jobs  
Professional Jobs  
Quick Facts

Personal Requirements

  • an observant and inquisitive approach to people and their environment
  • an insight into human behaviour and what motivates people
  • creativity and originality
  • able to analyse a situation quickly
  • able to pick out relevant facts and to dramatise them
  • able to write clearly
  • good concentration
  • technical ability when writing for theatre, film and television
  • able to work under pressure.

Related Industries

Publishing (except Internet and Music Publishing)
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (Except Computer System Design and Related Services)
Creative and Performing Arts Activities

Labour Market

Information

Australian JobOutlook for Journalists

Vacancies

Australian JobSearch for Journalists (ALL AUSTRALIA)
Work Opportunities websites

Related Jobs

Journalist
Technical Writer

Earnings


Income of persons working full-time, 2006
Journalists and Related Professionals

Income per Week Number Share (%)
$1000 or more 7,756 60.1
$400 - $599 867 6.7
$600 - $799 1,907 14.8
$800 - $999 2,032 15.8
Less than $400 338 2.6


Copyright 2007 education.au

This information is based on the 2006 census conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.


Earnings of persons working full-time and part-time, 2006
Journalists and Related Professionals

Employment Status Weekly Income ($)
Full-time 1,286
Part-time 495


Copyright 2007 education.au

This information is based on the Employee Earnings, Benefits and Trade Union Membership survey conducting annually by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

How Much?

Related Courses

New South Wales / ACT
Queensland
South Australia
Victoria
Western Australia

See State Specific Information below for further education and training options.

Further Information

Advertising Federation of Australia Ltd (Head Office)
Australasian Writers and Art Directors Association (AWARD)
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (ACT)
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (NSW)
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (QLD)
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (SA/NT)
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (TAS)
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (VIC)
Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (WA)

State Specific Information

New South Wales / ACT
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia

Discussing the job brief  with a designer
Discussing the job brief with a designer

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