If you're thinking about using a copywriter (or becoming one), it is critical to realise that there is more than one type of copywriting and more than one type of copywriter.
Different writing projects require different skills, and writers evolve different skillsets, whether deliberately or simply as the natural result of their functioning experience. Therefore the conditions 'copywriting' and 'copywriter', although simple-sounding, in fact encompass a variety of specialisations and features. This post lists a few of the most common types of copywriting and copywriters.victor palandi
Note that some of these copywriting disciplines have parallel job titles/descriptions, and others don't. For example, while 'SEO copywriter' is now a recognised job title, I've never noticed anyone describe themselves as a 'long-duplicate copywriter'. Also, remember that a few of these labels are flexible - while there are different strands within copywriting, the distinctions between them aren't constantly so clear-cut as my headings imply, and people may use these conditions in various ways.
The freelance copywriter
The freelance copywriter writes in virtually any medium directly for clients, usually operating as a sole trader or one-person company.
Businesses and organisations need a broad range of points written: websites, brochures, case studies, product descriptions, user manuals, pr announcements, presentations, internal paperwork and more. Even though many will simply use internal source to get the writing done, many convert to a freelance copywriter to greatly help them out.
Freelance copywriting is normally managed on an ad hoc, job-by-job basis, although some clients do strike retainer plans or setup longer contracts with freelances. Typically, the freelancer provides a cost or proposal, really does the task, revises the copy in response to feedback, and submits their invoice on acceptance.
Freelance copywriting typically requires 'broad but shallow' copywriting abilities. For example, in the course of writing a corporate internet site, the copywriter will dsicover themselves writing long copy for information web pages, snappy selling duplicate for high-profile webpages and journalistic copy for news pages. Simultaneously, they might toss in a organization tagline and perhaps name something range or two - in some instances, without even being asked, because the client might not have realised that they even need these exact things.
Due to working for many different clients, the freelance copywriter also will develop broad but shallow knowledge of different business sectors, permitting them to get a handle on new clients' requirements rapidly. That is one area where old freelancers can regularly outdo their younger counterparts - experience can't be faked, nor bought.
Conversely, a few freelances specialise in writing for a specific market or sector - pharmaceuticals, charity and so on. This can be because they previously kept a salaried position for the reason that sector. It might be a deliberate choice, or it may just emerge because of this of the jobs and referrals which come along.