Most people would agree that copywriters need a love of words, an ability to write, creativity and a flair for spotting a story, but these skills are a given really as copywriters wouldn’t get far without them. What sorts the good copywriters from the great copywriters are the following rather unexpected qualities.
1. The patience of an angel
There’s a lot of waiting involved in being a copywriter; from waiting for contracts to be signed to waiting for invoices to be paid. Keeping your cool and being patient will ensure you always maintain a high level of professionalism. After waiting weeks for a client to get back to you it can be tempting to phone them fifty times a day but this will result in a whole heap of shame. Put the phone down and focus your attention on something else. If you’ve contacted the client, left messages and emails and they’re aware you want to speak to them then sit back, be patient and wait for them to contact you.
2. Maths skills
Generally, if you’re good at creative copywriting, maths probably won’t be your strong point as for many people it seems to be one or the other. Unfortunately, if you’re working as a freelance copywriter or running your own copywriting business then you will need to be good (or at least reasonable) at maths. Whether it’s working out how much to charge a client or how much tax you need to pay, maths plays a big part in the day to day running of a copywriting company. If numbers aren’t your thing then invest in an accountant who will be able to keep your money inline and ensure you pay your bills correctly and on time.
3. Resilience
You have to be tough to be a copywriter. From rejected proposals to harsh feedback, your resilience will be tested. If you’re not a naturally resilient person then one of the best ways to toughen up is to get to the root of the problem. For example, you can wipe out the worry of a rejected proposal and even improve your chances in future pitches by asking for feedback. Maybe your prices were too high or the proposal was too generic or maybe another company had more relevant experience. If a client has criticized your work then find out exactly what they think is ‘wrong’ with it. It could be that they’re just having a bad day and taking it out on your copywriting or it could be that they have a point and there’s a flaw in your copy. Either way, it’s best to find out the truth.
Are you a copywriter? What skills do you find you need to use?
(via Pure Ink )
