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Career Profile

Copywriter

A copywriter creates clear, engaging and persuasive content for advertising, marketing and digital communications to help organisations connect with their target audiences.
Creative and MediaHumanities and Social Sciences
Average weekly salary
$1842
Future demand
Strong
Most common education level
Bachelor degree

What does a copywriter do?

From ads to websites to magazines, copywriters are the artists behind the written content for a range of digital and print channels. As a copywriter, you would have the opportunity to work with a variety of clients. Using your expert knowledge, you would ensure your writing aligns with any relevant style guides or specific brand requirements of the client. Content creators must be versatile and have the ability to adapt their writing accordingly for each job or task, whether that be the promotion of a product, education of an audience, or demonstration of expertise.

As a copywriter, you could pursue a career in freelance copywriting or work in-house for a marketing, advertising or public relations firm, government organisation or university.

Is a career as a copywriter right for me?

Copywriters require a high level of research and literacy skills, as well as the ability to work within tight deadlines.

Other important attributes of a content creator include:

Communication
Clear written and verbal communication skills, supported by strong interpersonal skills.
Creativity and innovation
Creative expression, storytelling and original thinking.
Organisation
Effective time-management and prioritisation skills.
Professionalism
The ability to take initiative, demonstrate personal drive, and maintain a professional attitude.
Industry knowledge
A sound awareness and understanding of industry and trends.

How to become a copywriter

Every journey to study is individual and there are several paths to reaching your content creation goals. Here is one common path to becoming a copywriter: 

  1. Complete a degree in communication, marketing, journalism, creative writing or a related field.
  2. Develop strong writing, research and editing skills across different content formats and audiences.
  3. Build a portfolio of written work through study projects, internships, freelance work or personal projects.
  4. Gain entry-level experience in content creation, marketing, communications, advertising or media roles.
  5. Apply for copywriter positions and continue refining your expertise across digital, print and brand communications.

How long does it take to become a copywriter?

The time it takes to become a copywriter will vary depending on your education, experience and career goals. Typically, it takes three to five years to become a copywriter, including completing a relevant bachelor's degree and gaining practical experience through internships, freelance work or entry-level marketing and communications roles.

Start your journey with UniSQ

Build the communication, writing and storytelling skills needed for a career in content creation with a UniSQ communication degree. Gain practical skills valued across media, marketing and communications industries.

Communication degrees
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Responsibilities and work settings

Day-to-day responsibilities

Researching topics, audiences and industry trends to inform content.

Writing content for websites, advertisements, social media, emails and other marketing materials.

Adapting writing style and tone to suit different brands and target audiences.

Editing and proofreading content to ensure accuracy, clarity and consistency.

Collaborating with designers, marketers and other stakeholders on campaigns and projects.

Following brand guidelines and communication objectives.

Managing multiple projects and meeting deadlines.

Reviewing content performance and refining messaging to improve engagement and results.

Where you might work

Digital business and marketing agencies

Media, publishing and broadcasting organisations

Government agencies, departments and councils

Arts and creative organisations

Non-profit, charity and community organisations

Universities and higher education providers

Accounting, consulting and professional services firms

Copywriter FAQs

You may be wondering ‘what does a copywriter do?’ To start copywriting, you must first enhance your writing and editing skills, becoming adaptable to different writing formats, and able to work to strict deadlines. When you are thinking about how to start copywriting, UniSQ offers various degrees to cultivate your talents, coupled with opportunities to apply them in real-world scenarios. There are many paths you take at this point when navigating how to become a copywriter, but a great place to starts is with networking. Networking and building a professional portfolio is a great way to showcase your strengths, work experience and qualifications to future employers or clients. 

Experienced copywriters can advance to become senior copywriters, copy chiefs, or creative directors. Others may choose to specialise in a niche or operate their own freelance copywriting businesses. 

Salaries vary widely depending on experience, location, and whether you work in-house, freelance, or for an agency.  Refer to the salary information on this page for further details. 

The future demand for copywriters remains steady, particularly with the growth of digital marketing. Despite the advances in AI and technology, there is a consensus that these cannot replace the human element that is central to copywriting – the ability to connect emotionally with an audience and understand cultural and language nuances. There is no better time to start your copywriter career with UniSQ.

Related careers

Writer
Editor
Journalist
PR manager
Social media manager

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Disclaimer: UniSQ’s Career Finder is a guide only. While reasonable care is taken to ensure accuracy, career information may change over time. Career statistics are sourced from Your Career and Jobs and Skills Australia. © Commonwealth of Australia. Licensed under CC BY 4.0. Salary figures listed on this page are in Australian Dollars (AUD).