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What does a copy writer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

Copywriters are employees who are usually part of the marketing team. They create write-ups for the promotional materials of the company's products. Copywriters are considered to be persuasive and engaging writers. They produce high-quality advertisements that entice the reader to heed their call to action. These calls to action may be in the form of purchasing the product, clicking links, or donating to a cause. Copywriters must know how to capture the interest of the target audience. They are usually witty and have a knack for wordplay.

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Copy writer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real copy writer resumes:

  • Manage editorial content of monthly print newsletter for health care professionals.
  • Ensure content relevance for SEO.
  • Proofread and edit content submit by department heads.
  • Demonstrate superior editing, proofreading, revising, and reasearch skills.
  • Design and implementation of web ads on Facebook, websites and newsletter.
  • Maintain, update, and develop corporate website using HTML, PHP, and Dreamweaver
  • Provide copywriting expertise directly to clients for use with websites, email marketing and blogs.
  • Attend plays, events, and movies as well as write reviews and post to Wordpress.
  • Used HTML coding to upload and format current descriptions, attributes, and images to websites.
  • Conduct search engine optimization (SEO) for client landing pages to maximize hits on specific keywords.
  • Proof, edit and prepare various sales and promotional pieces as well as copywriting for national school supplies catalog.
  • Perform copy QA, design review, and proofreading for websites and online marketing materials, ensuring a positive customer experience.
  • Provide copy for Wordpress themes/templates and design input
  • Proofread and edit internal documents post online.
  • Implement and execute Facebook advertising campaign strategy and bids.

Copy writer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 14% of Copy Writers are proficient in Web Content, WordPress, and Digital Marketing. They’re also known for soft skills such as Social perceptiveness, Writing skills, and Creativity.

We break down the percentage of Copy Writers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Web Content, 14%

    Print copy and web content for a custom lighting company.

  • WordPress, 7%

    Upload blogs for one client on WordPress for immediate publication.

  • Digital Marketing, 6%

    Coordinated with editors and product managers, delivering best-in-class shared services digital marketing copy as collaborative team member.

  • Proofreading, 6%

    Covered athletic and metropolitan events in Sports and District Weekly Sections Responsible for researching and proofreading, wrote feature stories

  • Web Copy, 6%

    Develop original web copy for clients seeking a original, attention-grabbing website

  • Email Campaigns, 4%

    Brainstormed strategically effective email campaigns and managed initiation through to execution.

Most copy writers use their skills in "web content," "wordpress," and "digital marketing" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential copy writer responsibilities here:

Social perceptiveness. The most essential soft skill for a copy writer to carry out their responsibilities is social perceptiveness. This skill is important for the role because "writers and authors must understand how readers react to ideas to connect with their audience." Additionally, a copy writer resume shows how their duties depend on social perceptiveness: "created quality content for client campaigns including website copy, blogs, articles, press releases, and social media updates. "

Writing skills. Another essential skill to perform copy writer duties is writing skills. Copy writers responsibilities require that "writers and authors must be able to write clearly and effectively to convey feeling and emotion and to communicate with readers." Copy writers also use writing skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "proofed, edited and prepared various sales and promotional pieces as well as copywriting for national school supplies catalog. "

Creativity. copy writers are also known for creativity, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to copy writer responsibilities, because "writers and authors must be able to develop interesting plots, characters, or ideas for new stories." A copy writer resume example shows how creativity is used in the workplace: "draft, edit, and publish press releases on behalf of henderson creative. "

All copy writer skills

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Compare different copy writers

Copy writer vs. Technical editor

A technical editor is someone who proofreads, revises, and edits technical documents. He/She or she checks for grammar, punctuation, and style to ensure that the technical content meets company standards. Some of the qualifications to become a technical editor include knowledge of technical concepts, prior experience in print or online publishing, a keen eye for details, and strong verbal and written communication skills. Someone having a bachelor's degree in English or journalism could qualify for the position.

If we compare the average copy writer annual salary with that of a technical editor, we find that technical editors typically earn a $3,445 lower salary than copy writers make annually.Even though copy writers and technical editors are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require web content, proofreading, and copywriting in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a copy writer are more likely to require skills like "wordpress," "digital marketing," "web copy," and "email campaigns." On the other hand, a job as a technical editor requires skills like "english language," "subject matter experts," "training materials," and "xml." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Technical editors earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $62,371. On the other hand, copy writers are paid more in the professional industry with an average salary of $79,362.On average, technical editors reach similar levels of education than copy writers. Technical editors are 3.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Copy writer vs. Assistant editor

An assistant editor is an individual responsible for assisting an editor-in-chief or editor-at-large of a newspaper, magazine, radio program, or website. Assistant editors hold meetings with staff and freelance writers to discuss new, fresh and original content for projects on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. They review assignments handed in by writers or reporters for sense, accuracy, readability, and content. Assistant editors must also utilize new media applications such as Twitter and Facebook to draw attention to an article or cause.

A career as a assistant editor brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a copy writer. In fact, assistant editors salary is $12,878 lower than the salary of copy writers per year.A few skills overlap for copy writers and assistant editors. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "web content," "copywriting," and "press releases. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real copy writer resumes. While copy writer responsibilities can utilize skills like "wordpress," "digital marketing," "proofreading," and "web copy," assistant editors use skills like "editorial content," "video footage," "media management," and "production process."

On average, assistant editors earn a lower salary than copy writers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, assistant editors earn the most pay in the media industry with an average salary of $55,636. Whereas copy writers have higher pay in the professional industry, with an average salary of $79,362.assistant editors earn similar levels of education than copy writers in general. They're 1.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Copy writer vs. Managing editor

Managing editors are individuals who coordinate and oversee the editorial activities of a publication. They administer the daily operations or a website or publication, such as generating ideas and planning and editing content. Their responsibilities include the recruitment, promotion, and firing of staff members. They even create and implement deadlines. Great managing editors are those who are updated on the latest trends and make informed decisions. They should also be equipped with skills in management and coaching.

An average managing editor eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of copy writers. The difference in salaries amounts to managing editors earning a $23,898 higher average salary than copy writers.copy writers and managing editors both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "web content," "copywriting," and "press releases," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from copy writer resumes include skills like "wordpress," "digital marketing," "proofreading," and "web copy," whereas a managing editor is more likely to list skills in "editorial content," "seo," "editorial calendar," and "digital content. "

Managing editors earn the highest salary when working in the media industry, where they receive an average salary of $79,077. Comparatively, copy writers have the highest earning potential in the professional industry, with an average salary of $79,362.When it comes to education, managing editors tend to earn similar degree levels compared to copy writers. In fact, they're 2.5% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.9% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Copy writer vs. Editor

An editor is the one responsible for polishing and refining a story, article, and any material for publication in newspapers, magazines, books, or websites. Editors have the power to either accept or reject a material as they need to ensure that every manuscript which will be offered for publishing is at the best version as it can be. There are several types of editors, from copy editors, books to managing editors, but they have few skills in common, like strong writing skills, good judgment, and leadership abilities to help guide the whole editorial team. Most of them work in the office, but it is quite becoming more regular for them to work remotely.

Editors tend to earn a lower pay than copy writers by an average of $13,055 per year.According to resumes from copy writers and editors, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "web content," "copywriting," and "press releases. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A copy writer uses "wordpress," "digital marketing," "proofreading," and "web copy." Editors are more likely to have duties that require skills in "video content," "seo," "editor-in-chief," and "edit articles. "The technology industry tends to pay the highest salaries for editors, with average annual pay of $62,170. Comparatively, the highest copy writer annual salary comes from the professional industry.editors reach similar levels of education compared to copy writers, in general. The difference is that they're 2.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.5% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of copy writer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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