Writing has always existed, just as sales or commerce have existed since ancient times.
People who knew how to write or sell have always been considered as people who make an important contribution to society. And people who wanted to achieve certain goals, whether they were emotional goals or business goals, we turned to these people who knew how to write or how to sell.
Although this craft, copywriting, in this form, has only been around for a few decades (during which time millions of dollars have been generated thanks to this craft) in reality, what is practiced in this craft is an interesting combination of these two trades, but also other concepts taken from psychology and knowledge of human behavior.
What is a copywriter in Puerto Rico?
If you wonder what a copywriter is and what it means, discover that it is a person who, in addition to knowing how to write correctly, understands the basic needs and behavior of people, has the ability to create convincing texts that generate emotion. that is necessary for a certain text, to sell.
Writing this type of text is a vital need in our world, especially in the business environment, which is why copywriters are increasingly sought after.
To give a very clear definition of a copywriter, this is a professional content creator who creates and integrates different types of copy in various business areas to make sales.
What does a copywriter do and what does NOT do?
If you wonder what differentiates a copywriter from any other person who writes and how he manages to get results through his texts, he discovers that he takes into account many principles before writing a certain text or content.
For example, research is a first phase that a copywriter goes through, and this helps you to understand very well the client you are writing for and gives you the freedom to decide for yourself what is the best choice to make after read a text.
A copywriter will always use simple language and will not try to impress by using complex vocabulary that is difficult to understand.
The language used by a writer will always be friendly and understandable to anyone, but more than that it will be understood by the avatar of the client for whom he writes, including the expressions he uses.
Another thing that a copywriter does is provide emotion but also real reasons for the client to make the decision they want, after writing that type of content.
The editor will always tell the reader in the simplest and most concise way what he has to do and what advantages or benefits he will obtain by performing a certain action.
A copywriter will know how to bring out the uniqueness of a product, service or business and turn it into an incredible benefit for the client.
What doesn’t a copywriter do?
They do not copy their competitors, texts or ideas but create them in a unique and authentic way;
He only uses clichés when he knows they can really have an impressive impact, or most of the time he rewrites them in his own words;
He does not use excessive praise and translates it into benefits for the reader;
Don’t type entire blocks of text or use too many capital letters or exclamation points;
Don’t make grammatical mistakes;
It does not compromise the clarity of a message to show its intelligence;
Do not forget the purpose for which you are writing a text and adapt all the content around it;
Don’t create confusing or overly long content if you don’t have to;
It does not try to sell in an invasive way without taking into account the needs and emotions of the reader;
Don’t use irrelevant headlines just to get attention.
Types of writing
Copywriting is a complex field and the way a certain text can be written depends a lot on its purpose.
So there are several types of writing, and a copywriter can specialize in 2-3 types of all of them or he can do all of them, if he is very good.
Writing with direct sales
Although any type of copywriting aims to sell, this type of writing aims to achieve a very fast and measurable response from the reader.
It can be promotional content that directly asks for a quick action, such as buying a product or service, filling out a form, or signing up for a newsletter.
This category usually includes that content, usually quite long, such as a sales letter, collection letters, emails, sales pages, but also ads for paid ads or for various catalogs or magazines.
Business or corporate writing
In this type of copywriting we refer to both B2C (business to customer) and B2B (business to business).
A multitude of content types are needed here, from print and online content, to emails or different projects such as brochures, coupons or promotional vouchers or product offers.
Technical writing
In technical writing, content is created for social networks, paid campaigns, case studies, press releases, electronic newsletters, informative video scripts for online, automatic responses to emails or different platforms, but also for web pages.
SEO writing
Any website needs quality content, but more than that it needs to be optimized for the following search engines.
This is where SEO copywriting comes in, utilizing both the persuasive and the technical side of SEO strategy.
Examples of copywriters from real life
If you delve into the online environment you will discover a multitude of texts, of different shapes and types that convey different messages.
Well, all of these texts have a well-defined purpose behind them, which translates into various types of writing.
So here are some examples from real life, that you can find either on social networks or on websites, and that comply with this type of text.
Obviously, such texts can be of another type and can even be included in emails or on the pages of a website before completing a form.
Catchy writing
Catchy content can be found in many situations, from website banners, social media covers, or even in various written or video posts.
Funny wording
The funny wording, although not used by many people, suits the audience very well.
It can be created for social networks, in emails or even on certain pages of a website.
Writing landing pages
Landing pages are sales pages, the purpose of which is both to present a product or service and to sell. Generally these are long texts found on websites.
Conversational or interactive writing
Conversational or interactive texts can be very good sales texts that encourage action, both interaction and sales. Here are many ways to use this type of text, from question-answer type texts, to those with images, pools in stories or on websites.
Copywriter vs content writer
Although for many people a content writer is the same as a copywriter, in reality there are many differences between them.
Yes, it is true that both deal with the writing part, but a copywriter has very clear objectives when it comes to creating content, and these are mostly related to sales.
Instead, a content writer is actually a content editor who informs the public, educates them, gives them certain instructions on certain areas, or creates content to engage and entertain.
So, the copywriter always sells through his content, while a content writer only reports.
A copywriter takes emotions into account and conveys sentiments that evoke emotional responses, while a content writer writes purely informational content without considering the reader’s emotions in any meaningful way.
A copywriter knows how to write many types of sales pitches, from short to long, while a content writer typically writes content for blog articles.
An editor writes texts for:
- online and offline advertisements;
- slogans;
- content for web pages;
- texts for email campaigns;
- different scenarios for promotional campaigns for TV or radio;
- commercial video scripts;
- catalogues;
- sale of scissors; social media posts.
A content writer writes texts for:
- blog articles;
- Miscellaneous articles for physical or online newspapers;
- Press releases;
- Various email newsletters;
- electronic books or magazines;
- Scripts for podcasts.
Qualities of a successful copywriter
To become a successful copywriter, you need certain skills that you can develop even if you don’t feel like you were born with them.
In the copywriting profession, practice is essential to become a good professional in creating that content that really generates results.
So here are the skills a copywriter needs.
Writting skills
One of the most basic and obvious skills to be a copywriter is the ability to write. Here we are not referring to writing as art but to certain elements that make up a sales copy that brings results.
Since a copywriter creates different texts that vary in shape, type of content, and structure, it is necessary for this person to know how to structure any type of text to generate the desired results, and obviously to write correctly.
In addition, this ability translates into the ability to write in such a way that the ideas are transmitted clearly and convincingly so that the reader makes that decision that the writer proposes through that content.
Communication skills
A copywriter expresses himself through written communication, but a person doing this job must also have effective verbal communication skills.
Although there are people who express themselves much better verbally and less in writing or vice versa, when you want to become a copywriter you need to have both skills.
This is important because a copywriter needs a relationship with the client or the team they are working with in order to fully understand the product, service or business they are going to promote through the content they are going to create.
Technical skills
Technical skills are very important in this job because a copywriter will work on advertising and digital marketing projects using certain platforms or tools that require certain technical skills.
More than that, the monitoring of the results in this work is important. And this can be done with the help of certain applications that a writer must know how to work with.
Creative thinking
It is true that it is not necessary to have the ability to invent stories like a writer, but in this work you must have enough imagination and creativity to be able to build connections between certain concepts that innovate the promotion in a creative but simple way for the reader.
Here we do not mean that you have to invent the wagon wheel, but simply that you have enough imagination and creativity to express an idea in the most convincing and attractive way.
Research skills
As I mentioned at the beginning, in this work there is an interweaving of techniques that make up a content that generates a precise result.
In order for a copywriter to be able to combine all the necessary elements for a sale, he must do exhaustive research, both into the behavior and psychology of the client he is writing for, but also to understand very clearly what he is writing about. . In other words, she must know both the business and its offer, as well as the avatar of the business’s customer.
What knowledge should a writer have?
Although it seems that a copywriter is a man who writes some texts, these texts are not written in a certain way, but to bring certain results, depending on the purpose for which the text was written, combining the research part but the elements of persuasion. . , that is, conviction, resulting from knowledge of human behavior and psychology.
So, to be a professional copywriter, he will have to have knowledge in marketing, in research, in knowing the psychology of the consumer, but also in transforming basic human needs into a compelling text.
One of the most important elements of copywriting is researching and discovering the needs of the target market for which he will create messages.
A really good copywriter will spend more time studying, asking questions, paying more attention to writing and body language when talking to physical customers, and will be able to document all of these things in a resource that will be the basis of the content they write.
In addition, when he wants to write content that is relevant and taken into account by search engines, he must also have knowledge of SEO optimization.
In addition to all of these things, a copywriter will understand the principles of human emotion-based persuasion and will know how to use effective language to redirect buying behavior in the direction they want, using not only emotion but also reason.
How much does a copywriter earn in Puerto Rico?
The need for copywriting is huge both globally and especially in Puerto Rico.
This work is a practice that any business needs, regardless of its size, so as long as there is business there will be a need to write texts that give results and generate sales.
So now that you understand that there will always be a need for your copywriters, discover that another advantage of this job is that it pays very well.
Any business that wants to grow more, attract more clients and have good profits will be willing to pay a person who generates results through professional and quality writing.
Prices may vary depending on the complexity of each project and the type of text you will write.
So if you are wondering how much a copywriter earns in Puerto Rico, the answer is that there is no fixed price to refer to when we talk about copywriting.
Things also depend on how you want to practice this job, because the prices will be different if you choose to work in an agency where you can receive an average salary of 2300 – 3000 RON per month, or if you want to create your own portfolio. and work for yourself as a freelancer.
In this case, your income can increase considerably depending on your participation and the number of projects you will take on.
However, when you want to work on your own, do not forget to study the market very well and align your prices with those that already exist to ensure that you do not run out of clients.
Advantages/Disadvantages: Copywriter Employed in an Agency or Freelance
Everything we decide to do has pros and cons. So even when we refer to doing this work for someone else or self-employed, you enjoy certain advantages and disadvantages, in both cases.
For example, if you are a beginner and you choose to work in an agency, although you will not earn as much as a freelancer, you have the advantage of constantly practicing for different types of clients.
Also, when you choose to work in an agency, whether you are a beginner or not, you don’t have to worry about finding clients, which requires completely different skills on your part. And obviously time and budget assigned in the promotion part.
Once you have gained experience, you can start freelancing for different projects, and the advantage here is that you will choose the clients you want to work with and set your own prices and the time that you allocate to this work.
The downside here is that you will always have to find new projects to work on, and you will be the person who will also do the bookkeeping and management.
So that you know what responsibilities you can assume when carrying out this job and how much time you have to deal with promotion and customer search.
If you want to focus your attention solely on the creative part, that is, copywriting, the ideal option is to work in an agency, where you will do nothing more than this.
How to learn to write?
Whether we’re talking about content for online ads, SEO oppression, content, TV ads, or physical promotion, the rules that apply in content creation are more or less the same.
Obviously here, the adaptation of the message will be done according to the channel in which the content will be distributed, but if you know the basic rules you will be able to create texts that convince or sell in any situation.
In addition, you must understand that consumer behavior changes frequently, they become more and more selective and demanding.
Therefore, marketing communication is constantly changing, continuously evolving and adapting to the new needs of consumers. And for that, it means that you have to learn both the basic rules that have worked for a long time, as well as those that are new and are being created today.
To become a really good copywriter, you need at least 3-6 months of study and at least a year of practice.
You can use the free resources and materials that you can find on the net, but when you want to deepen this trade, it is good to resort to courses from specialists in the field.
There you will not only receive the information you need, but you will be supported in your practice and will be able to understand what you can improve along the way.
Tips for beginning writers
Not everyone who knows how to write beautiful text can be a copywriter. This means that almost anyone can pursue this profession as long as they are open to embarking on a career that involves information, lots of practice, and gaining experience.
Like any other job in the world, you must be aware that it is not something very easy, but it is an activity that requires study, practice and the creation of a portfolio.
However, copywriting is not a very difficult job, when you know what to start with and are open to developing.
So here are some tips if you’re a beginning copywriter.
Start learning everything you can
To practice this job, you need information on how to best do things and how to use all of these concepts in practice.
So start studying the texts that have already generated millionaire results and go with people who can help you with information but also with a lot of practice.
Stay in communities where you can learn new techniques or updates on different writing styles and constantly develop yourself to make sure you don’t get left behind.
Develop your writing skills
To develop these skills you need to know all the types of content you can do in this job and start practicing writing.
You can find a lot of information about it both for free and in courses created by specialists in the field.
Practice different types of content.
Write as many types of content as possible and make sure that your grammar is correct, but also that while you won’t need a very complex writing vocabulary, you are starting to develop it.
Set your goals
Set small goals at first to express the same idea in multiple ways, and begin to gain a deeper understanding of how you can communicate an idea by flirting with it through emotion, reason, and especially persuasion.
Accept any type of project
To develop your writing skills very well you need a lot of practice and this requires having clients from different niches.
Accept any type of project, even if it’s smaller or even if you don’t 100% resonate with that industry or don’t know it.
Challenges can make you better. Also, in addition to practicing, you can develop a complex portfolio that will later help you bring you more important clients or those clients you want.
So being a copywriter isn’t necessarily the easiest job to do, but it’s not the hardest job either. Anyone can pursue this profession if they have the will, even if they don’t necessarily have a talent for writing.
As in any field, study and practice can help you succeed. And if you want to become a copywriter, they will definitely need you now and in the future.