15 replies to this topic

[MusicaStar]

Hi. I'm new here. In fact, I'm new to writing copy for pay. I've had a website of my own for about six years now that's been at the top of Google for "female gamers" and recently I took on a job for a woman that has a jewelry website to write up product descriptions for her vintage jewelry. Now I've seen reference to being paid $5 for work. That's what I've been doing for about a week. I figured since I didn't have any experience in actual copywriting that it was probably the best I could do until I got some solid experience to show to prospective employers. But, I don't know if what I am doing is copywriting. I've read definitions of the term and seen a few articles, but I still don't know if it's what I'm doing. I read the [url=http://www.highrankings.com/forum/index.php?act=boardrules]Forum Rules[/url] about not posting urls for review, etc. so I won't do that right now. I just want to know if what I'm doing is copywriting or simply just writing.

The thing is, I see advertisements that want people with BAs and 3-5 years experience related to the term and the most I've ever done other than this is writing reviews and things for videogames on my own website. The client has raved over my writeups, but I know as soon as I ask for more she'll probably drop me and find another $5 writer with lower quality work and be happy and this money is helping me a little since we're a one income family otherwise. I just really like doing this sort of thing and wonder if copywriting is what I'm looking for or is it something else?

Thanks for any help!

[Minerva]

I would call writing descriptions of jewelry for sale copywriting. It's marketing copy. Writing reviews I would not call copywriting.

[Jill]

Welcome MusicaStar! (I like that name!)

There's writing in general, and there's copywriting.

Copywriting involves learning everything you can about what you need to write about, as well as the target audience that will be reading it, and then writing compelling prose about it.

It can be writing ads, writing a Website, or even writing a sales letter or brochure.

Then there's plain old content writing, which is more like what we do here at the forum, or writing a newsletter, or writing articles.

For copywriting and content writing, you obviously have to start out as a naturally good writer (not everyone is), but they both have different skills.

I'm a content writer, and would never want to be a copywriter. It's too hard!

Jill

[MusicaStar]

Thanks for the replies. I guess I've been doing a little of both then. Content writing for my own site and copywriting for hers. I've had to do tons of research on eras, materials, jewelry styles, etc. for her site with each new piece. Thanks for the great explainations.

[sheriw]

Dear Musica,

You wrote:
The thing is, I see advertisements that want people with BAs and 3-5 years experience related to the term and the most I've ever done other than this is writing reviews and things for videogames on my own website.

In reality, some of the most talented copywriters I have known (and the best paid ones) did not have a B.A. in English or marketing. While degrees in the field don't hurt, they aren't a rigid requirement.

The fact that your site does so well on Google means that you have created content that attracts others. And while you may be content for now writing $5 product descriptions (yes, this is copywriting), I suspect that in the near future, you will want to increase your wages.

After all, how much is your time worth? I know that at this time, your confidence level isn't high yet, but I hope that as you succeed in this (your friend's delight in your description is a good indicator that you are) you will ask for higher pay. I think your friend will see that even if she pays more, she is still getting a bargain.

Good luck with your new career,
Sheri

[MusicaStar]

Thanks! I really appreciate the encouragement! I really hope that this will become something that I can enjoy doing and become a career. I am nervous about taking on any jobs, but I am trying to build my confidence and let my work speak for itself. Thank you.

[reddog]

You could say that posting in the forum is a form of copywriting.

Most posts are well researched and targeted at people that have a need, be it a need for seo services or just a thirst for knowledge.

Most members write in a compelling prose to highlight to prospective clients just how good they really are.

I think that if you are writing good reviews and people are noticing how good you are, then you are refining your skills and marketing your talent at the same time. I am in the same boat as you, and am nervous about branding myself as a "copywriter" even though people say I have a talent for writing. I have done most of my study and research through this forum, and from the great information that all the members provide and I am ready to take on a few jobs. If you are a good writer, then you have a good headstart, regardless of your qualifications

[BrianR]

Welcome to the forum MusicaStar and reddog - it's good to have a few more copywriters on board!

There are many definitions of copywriting, but the simple definition I like is as follows: Writing to influence a targeted reader.

So MusicaStar, your jewelry descriptions are indeed copywriting. It's hard work, but it's great fun - and it's even better when you can see the results it delivers for clients!

BrianR

[MusicaStar]

Thanks so much for the welcomes and the good description! I like the job especially since I get to work from home and the owner said she might pay me more as my writing style improves. It's been a little hard because I have to do lots of research, but I love it. She's already stopped using the other five writers she used most often because I'm readily available. I just wish I could get a few other jobs, but for now this one is great! I made enough in the past two weeks to finally buy that new futon I wanted so I can't complain.

I also managed to get another non-paying (compensated in reviewable goods) job for a website. I'm hoping this will turn a profit eventually when things pick up for them again.

[Jill]

Welcome Reddog!

You could say that posting in the forum is a form of copywriting.

I would actually call that content writing, not copywriting.

Jill

[Ron Carnell]

Copywriting doesn't necessarily mean the same thing in all industries. In the advertising world it means one thing, in the book publishing world it means something similar but different, while in the newspaper and magazine world it encompasses quite a bit more ground … including the writing of content. What it means on the Internet, at this early stage in our history, probably depends on whom you ask.

Two cents from a former newspaper copy editor …

[seafoam]

recently I took on a job for a woman that has a jewelry website to write up product descriptions for her vintage jewelry. Now I've seen reference to being paid $5 for work. That's what I've been doing for about a week. I figured since I didn't have any experience in actual copywriting that it was probably the best I could do until I got some solid experience to show to prospective employers. But, I don't know if what I am doing is copywriting.

To some extent it depends on the customers expectations. I can think of three reasons you may have landed the job:

1- because the client cannot write in fluent or correct style.

2- because the client cannot figure out what customers need to know about the products.

3- because the client cannot write text that will convince customers to make a purchase.

In my view, only #3 is 'copywriting' in a sales situation.

[gnnc]

Hi everyone

I need to express my opinion on this copywriting discussion.

Copywriting is IMO using the power of words to effortlessly encourage and motivate a targeted audience to buy ones product. In the normal sense of this profession, this was (and still is) done using compelling headlines together with supporting (short) copy.

I'm a web copywriter, however I think that this "art" or "science" of what we call SEO and web copywriting is turning out to be copywriting for the SEs and unnatural writing for our audience. This is very worrying indeed. Regardless of what anyone says, if certain words, in this case keyphrases, are repeatedly mentioned in any copy, whether in print or on the web, then the fundamental roots of copywriting, English, and good writing is lost.

No matter how much we try to make optimized copy sound effortless and natural, either way reading unnatural keyphrases over and over again in the body copy will get noticed by audience members in tune with the language. I think we're beginning to forget that our audience and target market are still intelligent being.

Having said this, results pay. I love what I do even though I find it somewhat frustrating that I can't practice the true art of advertising and copywriting. Sooner or later the SEs are going to agree that another form of determining the value of a site is needed. Perhaps one day an algorithm will exist that will be able to categorize similar meaning words in keyword categories! This would be an awesome way of allowing creative freedom.

But at the end of the day, all writing is a mindset regardless of the form it takes, and with this, I wish you all well and I look forward to lots of healthy discussion.

[Jill]

Actually, they don't need to be repeated over and over, and you really can write for the search engines and the users without it seeming odd or standing out like a sore thumb. Try reducing the number of times you're using the phrases and/or use less of them. You'll find you still get the same rankings, but your copy is much better.

The days of over-doing the keywords are gone (or should be). The worst offenders are SEOs who don't actually hire professional copywriters (or whose copywriters aren't very good!).

You should not sacrifice the copy for the sake of the engines, and I really and truly believe you don't have to. Heck, I know you don't as I've seen plenty of copy that is not even recognizable as having been SEO'd except by the trained eye.

[copywriter]

Hi Gnnc,

I'm a web copywriter, however I think that this "art" or "science" of what we call SEO and web copywriting is turning out to be copywriting for the SEs and unnatural writing for our audience. This is very worrying indeed. Regardless of what anyone says, if certain words, in this case keyphrases, are repeatedly mentioned in any copy, whether in print or on the web, then the fundamental roots of copywriting, English, and good writing is lost.

Not sure where you got your training, gnnc, but I'm one of the "anyone's" you mention above and I will say (over and over) that writing SEO copy while retaining the natural flow of language IS possible.

You also mentioned:

In the normal sense of this profession, this was (and still is) done using compelling headlines together with supporting (short) copy.

Why short copy? Wouldn't the length of the copy depend primarily on (1) the product/service being offered and (2) the communication style of the target audience?

Karon