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Freelance copywriter vs journalist

The differences between freelance copywriters and journalists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a freelance copywriter and a journalist. Additionally, a freelance copywriter has an average salary of $69,978, which is higher than the $60,828 average annual salary of a journalist.

The top three skills for a freelance copywriter include web content, blog posts and copywriting. The most important skills for a journalist are news stories, multimedia, and story development.

Freelance copywriter vs journalist overview

Freelance CopywriterJournalist
Yearly salary$69,978$60,828
Hourly rate$33.64$29.24
Growth rate4%-10%
Number of jobs2,98111,488
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Average age4240
Years of experience22

What does a freelance copywriter do?

A Freelance Copywriter generates the words, slogans, and audio scripts that accompany advertising visuals. They work as an independent contractor, either on their own, or through a recruitment agency.

What does a journalist do?

A journalist is responsible for creating written correspondence, covering various subjects as the management requires. This task involves a lot of research investigations, conducting interviews, and gathering reliable sources to verify the authenticity of data before releasing the articles on news portals and other social platforms. Journalists should have excellent communication skills, both written and oral, conveying information to the target audience with high accuracy and efficiency. They analyze opinions and testimonies, create eye-catching headlines, and ensure adherence to deadlines.

Freelance copywriter vs journalist salary

Freelance copywriters and journalists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Freelance CopywriterJournalist
Average salary$69,978$60,828
Salary rangeBetween $46,000 And $105,000Between $38,000 And $95,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-Bloomberg
Best paying industry-Finance

Differences between freelance copywriter and journalist education

There are a few differences between a freelance copywriter and a journalist in terms of educational background:

Freelance CopywriterJournalist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 82%Bachelor's Degree, 74%
Most common majorEnglishJournalism
Most common collegeMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Freelance copywriter vs journalist demographics

Here are the differences between freelance copywriters' and journalists' demographics:

Freelance CopywriterJournalist
Average age4240
Gender ratioMale, 46.3% Female, 53.7%Male, 46.6% Female, 53.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.9% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 4.9% White, 75.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 9.6% White, 66.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%10%

Differences between freelance copywriter and journalist duties and responsibilities

Freelance copywriter example responsibilities.

  • Manage proposal process from RFP (request for proposal) receipt to writing and editing various contributions to final RFP submission.
  • Provide copywriting services to clients using proven direct response marketing elements to optimize conversions.
  • Experience with brand development, copywriting, advertising, and integrate social media marketing communications.
  • Participate in brainstorming sessions to cultivate creative solutions to advertising opportunities with uniquely clever messages.
  • Provide career branding services, including resume, LinkedIn, and professional biography writing services.
  • Develop and administer the company's RFP database; greatly streamline the RFP process.
  • Show more

Journalist example responsibilities.

  • Manage studio operations, ensuring that shows run efficiently by floor directing, prompting and providing scripts.
  • Partner closely with 13WHAM ABC Rochester.
  • Award regional EMMY for spot news.
  • Edit headline packages, kickers, bumps and topicals.
  • Update stories to web page, twitter, and facebook.
  • Used ENG trucks to distribute live news feeds during broadcasts.
  • Show more

Freelance copywriter vs journalist skills

Common freelance copywriter skills
  • Web Content, 22%
  • Blog Posts, 8%
  • Copywriting, 7%
  • Creative Concepts, 6%
  • Brainstorm, 5%
  • Email Campaigns, 5%
Common journalist skills
  • News Stories, 15%
  • Multimedia, 11%
  • Story Development, 11%
  • Local Community, 7%
  • Edit Video, 5%
  • Local News, 4%

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