Bachelor of Arts in Communications
Copywriter Career Guide
Copywriter Career Guide
Overview
What Is a Copywriter?
A copywriter is a marketing and advertising professional who specializes in writing persuasive content for businesses and brands. The goal of a copywriter is to encourage the sale of products or services. Copywriters may also raise brand awareness and work to improve the reputation and credibility of a brand or organization.
As marketing specialists and professional writers, copywriters may work with a team to create marketing campaigns. Copywriters may collaborate with graphic designers, social media specialists, marketing managers and other marketing professionals to achieve the goals of the client.
Role
What Does a Copywriter Do?
A copywriter’s main goal is to develop marketing copy that helps the client achieve their goals, such as selling more products or booking more service appointments. To achieve this, copywriters can create a variety of marketing materials using marketing best practices, such as search engine optimization (SEO), to improve visibility in digital search.
The three main tasks copywriters perform are:
Content Planning
Copywriters may meet with their clients and other members of the team to plan the material for the marketing campaign. They may need to do research on the target audience, industry and products or services.
Content Writing
Copywriters perform research and write marketing material, which can include website pages, blogs, social media posts, sales emails, landing pages and video scripts.
Editing and Revising
Copywriters may need to revise their work to ensure it meets the client’s expectations and aligns with the client’s voice and brand style guidelines.
Outlook
Is Copywriting a Good Career?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job growth rate for all types of writers and authors is expected to be 4% from 2024 through 2034,(See disclaimer 1) which is as fast as average for all professions.
The BLS notes the continued rise of digital media over print media and indicates that more professional writers will be needed to produce digital media in the years to come.(See disclaimer 1 )
In addition to job growth, it’s helpful to understand earning potential in the field. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for writers and authors was $72,270 as of May 2024.(See disclaimer 2)
Jobs
13,400
Projected number of job openings for all types of writers and authors each year from 2024 through 2034(See disclaimer 1)
Salary
$72,270
Median annual salary for all types of writers and authors as of May 2024(See disclaimer 2)
Growth
4%
Projected job growth rate for all types of writers and authors from 2024 through 2034(See disclaimer 1)
Workplace
Where Do Copywriters Work?
A copywriter may pursue opportunities in several different settings. Some join an organization’s marketing department as an in-house copywriter, creating content exclusively for that brand. Others work at marketing or advertising agencies, where they write for a wide range of clients and industries. Many also choose to work as freelance copywriters, providing writing services to multiple clients on a project–by–project basis.(See disclaimer 3)
Education
In the education industry, a copywriter may work for colleges and universities, test prep agencies or EdTech companies.
Technology
Technology companies need copywriters to spark public interest in emerging technologies, from smartphones to AI models.
Nonprofit Sector
Copywriters in the nonprofit sector use storytelling techniques to increase public interest in the nonprofit’s mission.
Government Sector
For government agencies, copywriters may work on public awareness campaigns and social media posts.
Career Path
How To Become a Copywriter
There is no universal pathway for becoming a copywriter, as copywriter education requirements and training can vary from one employer to the next. In general, however, it’s helpful to have a writing-intensive degree and entry-level writing experience.(See disclaimer 3,4) It’s also important to develop your skills, gain hands-on experience and understand what motivates audiences.
Here are a few ways you can start gaining writing experience now:
Build a Portfolio of Writing Samples
Create sample ads, website copy, emails, social media posts or product descriptions to showcase your writing skills and versatility.
Practice Writing Every Day
Write regularly to enhance persuasive techniques, editing skills, and confidence; consider rewriting ads or creating mock campaigns.
Learn Marketing and Consumer Psychology
Study marketing principles and consumer behavior to understand purchasing decisions and improve your messaging effectiveness.
Education
Copywriter Education Requirements
High School Diploma
The process of becoming a copywriter starts with earning a high school diploma. In addition to completing all of the graduation requirements, aspiring copywriters should take as many English and related classes as possible. Creative writing, journalism, graphic design, marketing and business courses can all be helpful.(See disclaimer 5 )
College Degree
Aspiring copywriters should earn a bachelor’s degree that offers a writing-intensive curriculum, such as a degree in English, communications or journalism. While in college, it can be helpful to look for extracurricular activities that support career ambitions, such as working on the college newspaper.(See disclaimer 4 )
Internships
Although not a strict requirement, internships can be helpful for this career field, as employers often prefer to hire writers with writing experience, according to the BLS.(See disclaimer 4) Look for internship opportunities at marketing agencies or related organizations, such as magazines and newspapers.
Professional Certifications
Professional certifications are optional for copywriters, but earning one or more of them may improve career qualifications. Professional certifications may be available in general copywriting principles and practices, as well as to verify knowledge and skills in specific areas, such as digital marketing or SEO practices.(See disclaimer 3)
Degrees for Aspiring Copywriters
3 Matching Degrees
Bachelor of Arts in Communications
with an Emphasis in Broadcasting and New Media
Bachelor of Arts in Professional Writing for New Media
Skills
What Copywriting Skills Do You Need To Be a Copywriter?
A copywriter’s most essential skill is the ability to write clearly, creatively and with purpose. They must be able to adapt their writing style to match different clients’ voices and brand guidelines, and they often create a wide range of materials for various marketing campaigns.
Effective copywriters know how to tell a compelling story, speak directly to their audience and use persuasive techniques that motivate readers to take action.(See disclaimer 3,4) Creativity, strategic thinking and the ability to communicate ideas in a concise, engaging way are all key to success in this role.
Some of the most important copywriting skills include:(See disclaimer 3, 4)
Creativity
Copywriters are creative professionals who continually develop fresh ideas for marketing campaigns.
Persuasion
They must write persuasively to convince the target audience to take the desired action.
Time Management
Copywriters are often expected to complete multiple pieces of marketing material each day.
Communication Skills
They not only need strong written communication skills for their marketing collateral, but they must also communicate effectively with clients and co-workers.
Career Fit
Is Copywriting Right it for You?
Copywriting can be a career for people who enjoy combining creativity, strategy and communication. Considering your interests, work style and comfort with deadlines and feedback can help you decide whether this career path aligns with your strengths and professional goals.
Explore More on Copywriting
Before deciding if copywriting is right for you, explore GCU’s blog articles on writing careers.
Channel Your Writing Skills Into a Copywriting Career
Turn your passion for writing into purpose for your future. Pursue a writing-intensive degree at GCU.
- COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective August 2025, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Writers and Authors, retrieved May 2026.
- The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Writers and Authors as of May 2024, retrieved May 2026. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as Writers and Authors, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
- Harper, J. (2025, Dec. 12). What Does a Copywriter Do? (Duties and Requirements). Indeed. Retrieved May 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, Aug. 28). How to Become a Writer or Author. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved May 2026.
- CareerExplorer. (n.d.). Education and Training Requirements for a Copywriter. Retrieved May 2026.