And how to get into
this profile?
First things first. It takes a lot to become a
writer.A writer is first a thinker, a thinker is first a seeker, and a seeker
is always a student. In short, a writer is a perpetual student of life, its
reasons, turns, curves, ups and downs. The process is an exacting one, and its
duration long, but it offers great rewards. For one, it helps you see the world
through eyes that are guided by knowledge. You begin to see things as they are,
and when you apply such principles and insights into your writing, personal or
professional, you will create work that will awaken the mind.
Like all
work, writing too requires self-discipline, self-awareness, and consistency in keeping yourself
inspired. Once you have turned your desire into determination, here are a few
‘tips’ that can come in handy on your path to becoming a professional
copywriter.
Learn to judge objectively
When you
enter the world of copy writing, you will be bombarded by names,
young and old, who have carved a niche for themselves in the art of persuasion.
Don’t get intimidated; instead, intimate yourself with their writing. Find a
small notebook and take note of how each celebrated writer writes. Soon, you
will realize that not all famous and celebrated copywriters are good. Many are
either given over to shock-and-awe, or are simply clever at imitating the
styles of earlier writers. Your estimation will give you an idea of your judgement,
and your judgement is the most crucial thing you’ll have to create good copy.
Find a mentor
As
long as you keep your judgement of good and bad to yourself, all is well. But
the moment you let it out in the open to breathe in the toxic breath of conformity
and compliance, you will be labeled a heretic, or a highly opinionated person –
an outcast. That’s the modern day Inquisition, stomping on freedom of thought
by holding culpable an individual showing any sign of possessing individuality.
The best
way forward in this course is to keep an eye and ear out for a mentor in your agency, among friends, or anywhere out in
the world. Once you find someone who is willing to be objective rather than
just swimming with the tide, grab and hold onto them. Share your list,
concerns, and thoughts with them. Let them guide you by telling you where you
failed and where you were right. Such guidance is of extreme importance in today’s
time, when everyone’s lost and all landmarks are discredited.
Prepare to fail
According
to Han-Gwon Lung, award-winning CEO and co-founder of Tailored Ink, “This is
the make-or-break point for all professional dreams. How well do you respond to
failure and your
biggest fears?
Can you live with scars? Or do you expect the world to hand you trophies?” There
is a purpose to everything. There’s a reason for success and there’s a reason
for failure. As a young professional, it’s alright for you to not be aware of
many specifics of your profession as a copywriter – how an agency functions, what constitutes an internship,
the internal workings of an office, and more. As your days progress at your
first job, you will find yourself becoming more and more aware of people,
positions, and other equally important details, and depending on the kind of
work you have done on building your character and your writing, you’ll be able
to maneuver yourself through this endless maze. You should also be prepared to
make mistakes where writing itself is concerned. The key element is not to beat
yourself up too much over it.
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