Copywriters face a difficult task as they strive to create clear, memorable, and targeted copy. Although there are many copywriters in the world, the skill itself might seem like it’s rare. After all, creating something simple, memorable, inviting, and fun is not easy.
Copywriting is a rare skill because it requires several abilities most people don’t have. The best copy requires creativity, marketing skills, research, and an understanding of psychology. Additionally, you can’t learn copywriting overnight; it takes years of practice to hone your skills.
Although it’s not the most common skill set, copywriting can be learned. Getting good at it just takes time, effort, and practice. So, if you’re willing to put in the work, you can definitely become a copywriter.
Why Is Copywriting a Rare Skill?
Knowing that copywriting is a rare skill is different from understanding why it’s rare. So, let’s look at some reasons why copywriting is not a common skill.
1. Copywriting Requires Several Separate Proficiencies
Appealing to the senses is one thing, but creating something that’s clear and effective is another. To accomplish this goal, you need to have several skills.
First, you need creativity. Copywriters should be able to come up with new and innovative ideas. The place of copy in marketing has changed a lot over the years, and copywriters have had to adapt.
Original and creative copy can help them stand out in the competitive world of online marketing. In addition to being creative, copywriters also need to be good at writing.
This might seem like a given, but it’s not. There are plenty of people who can come up with great ideas, but they can’t express them well in writing. Writing is a skill that needs to be honed and practiced.
Copywriters also need to have some level of marketing knowledge. This includes understanding the principles and how to apply them to create compelling copy.
After all, the point of copy is to sell, and you can’t do that if you don’t understand the basics of marketing.
Last but not least, copywriters need to be good at research to understand their audience and identify the things that appeal to them.
They need to know how to find the right words and phrases that will resonate with their audience.
2. It Takes Time To Become Skilled
Patience is a virtue, and this is especially true when it comes to copywriting. Like we said before, copywriting is not something you can learn overnight. It takes time to become good at it.
Persuasion is a psychological process, and it’s one that copywriters need to understand if they want to be effective. You can’t learn in a day or even a month.
Instead, it takes time and practice to understand how persuasion works and how to use it in your writing. The best copywriters are also constantly honing their skills and trying to improve.
They’re always looking for new ways to capture attention and persuade their readers. This takes time, effort, and a willingness to learn.
Unlike most professions where there are established strategies, copywriting is ever-changing. What works today might not work tomorrow, and there are always new platforms and formats to work with.
Therefore, experimentation is an essential part of the process. Another reason why copywriting takes time to master is because it has many facets.
To be a good copywriter, you need to master not just writing but also psychology, marketing, and research.
3. Requires High-Level Creativity
Most people understand the writing part of copywriting. But they don’t realize creativity is just as important, if not more so.
To be a good copywriter, you need to be able to come up with new and innovative ideas. As a result, creative people can thrive as copywriters.
The best copywriters always think of new approaches to capture attention and persuade their readers. They’re constantly pushing the boundaries and thinking outside the box.
Not everyone can do this, though. The best copywriters know how to use words to influence their readers and get them to take action.
Although you can read books, you can’t rely on knowledge without putting it into practice. It takes time and experience to understand how persuasion works and how to use it in your writing.
Copywriting is as much about psychology as it is about writing. A good example is David Ogilvy, considered one of the best copywriters of all time.
He was known for his creative and unconventional approach to copywriting. His ads were often shocking and unexpected, but they were also highly effective.
Keeping your creative juices flowing is not easy. It requires a lot of hard work and dedication. But it’s what separates the best copywriters from the rest.
Refuting the Myths
Although it may sound like copywriting is an impossible career path, it’s still possible for anyone to learn this skill. Let’s debunk some of the myths about the industry.
Myth #1: Copywriting Is for the Talented Few
Copywriting is a rare skill, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to learn. Yes, it takes time and effort to be good at it. But with dedication and hard work, anyone can become a copywriter.
The best copywriters are not born with some magical gift. They’re not naturally talented. Instead, they’re people who have worked hard to hone their skills.
Because of their effort, they have become the best at what they do. You can become a copywriter too by following these steps:
- Learn the basics: An educational background in writing can certainly help you get started. In addition, you can get courses or books that teach copywriting basics from platforms like Skillshare.
- Start small: Don’t try to write the next great American novel. Start with something small, like a blog post or an email.
- Practice, practice, practice: The more you write, the better you’ll become. Try to write in different formats and styles to expand your repertoire.
- Get feedback: It’s essential to get feedback from others as you improve your writing. This will help you review your work critically and make necessary changes.
- Never stop learning: The best copywriters are constantly learning and trying to improve their skills.
Myth #2: Content Writers Are Copywriters
This is a common misconception, but it’s essential to understand the difference between content writers and copywriters.
Content writers write articles, blog posts, and other types of content. Their primary goal is to inform and educate their readers.
Copywriters, on the other hand, write to persuade. Their goal is to get their readers to take action. They use words to influence their readers and get them to do what they want.
Both content writers and copywriters are important, and sometimes the skills overlap, but these roles fulfill different purposes. Unlike copywriting, content writing is not a rare skill.
There are millions of content writers out there. The approach to writing is also different. Content writers write for their readers. Copywriters write for their business goals.
Final Word
Because copywriting requires skills from many disciplines and takes time to learn, it has become a rare career path.
Accomplished copywriters must have a firm grasp of language, psychology, and marketing principles.
The best copywriters are always thinking of new and creative ways to capture attention and persuade their readers. They’re constantly pushing the envelope and testing new ideas.
Although it’s a rare skill, copywriting is not impossible to learn. With dedication and hard work, anyone can become a copywriter.
So if you’re looking for a challenge and are willing to put in the work, copywriting may be the right career for you.