Writer and Author

Also called: Ad Copy Writer, Ad Writer, Advertising Associate, Advertising Copy Writer, Advertising Copywriter

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Varies

estimated salary

Writers and authors originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.

Discuss with the client the product, advertising themes and methods, and any changes that should be made in advertising copy.
Present drafts and ideas to clients.
Vary language and tone of messages based on product and medium.
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.
Collaborate with other writers on specific projects.
Conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail, using sources such as newspaper accounts, diaries, and interviews.
Consult with sales, media and marketing representatives to obtain information on product or service and discuss style and length of advertising written material.
Edit or rewrite existing written material as necessary, and submit written material for approval by supervisor, editor, or publisher.
Follow appropriate procedures to get copyrights for completed work.
Plan project arrangements or outlines, and organize material accordingly.
Prepare works in appropriate format for publication, and send them to publishers or producers.
Revise written material to meet personal standards and to satisfy needs of clients, publishers, directors, or producers.
Work with staff to develop script, story, or advertising concepts.
Write advertising material for use by publication, broadcast, or internet media to promote the sale of goods and services.
Write fiction or nonfiction prose, such as short stories, novels, biographies, articles, descriptive or critical analyses, and essays.
Write to customers in their terms and on their level so that the script, story, or advertisement message is more readily received.

Work Context

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled —
Electronic Mail —
Face-to-Face Discussions —
Telephone —
Contact With Others —
Time Pressure —
Work With Work Group or Team —

Work Activities

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

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.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

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.

Detailed Work Activities

Confer with clients to determine needs.
Present work to clients for approval.
Write advertising or promotional material.
Develop promotional strategies or plans.
Write advertising or promotional material.
Conduct market research.

English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

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.

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.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

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.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Written Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.

They do well at jobs that need:

Achievement/Effort

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self Control

You might use software like this on the job:

Web page creation and editing software

Social media sites
LinkedIn
Facebook
WordPress
Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver

Sales and marketing software

Google AdWords

Data mining software

Google Analytics

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New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

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Writer and Author

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