Go to anyone in the advertising world and they’ll tell you content is king. Look at all of the great advertisements in history, each has a unique way of connecting to the public and they transcend the idea of a “simple ad”. Instead, they become a part of a culture, even if it’s for a few days or years. A large part of its unicity is the role of the copywriter and the creative, persuasive wordplay they bring to all mediums of advertising. While it’s not entirely different from what you probably saw from Peggy Olson and Don Draper in Mad Men, the writer’s role has evolved quite a lot in the past 50 years.
At ON Advertising, we appreciate good creative. We strive to develop incredible ads that create a response with our clients’ target audience. Our creative staff is comprised of a team of video production professionals, graphic designers, and a copywriter; who specialize in making your brand stand out with memorable advertising. Read our blog post below to learn more about what the copywriter does in an ad agency and why it is important for one’s branding.
What is a Copywriter?
Before we get into what a copywriter does, let’s talk about what a copywriter exactly is. They’re the wordsmiths of the advertising world that turn simple messaging into exciting branding exclamations. They encourage people to act in some way with their toolbox of adjectives, verbs, and buzzwords that resonate with consumers. Additionally, they’re an important part of the creative brainstorming process by sharing ideas for video scripts, content direction, and the overall feel of a piece of advertising.
What Does a Copywriter Do?
Research… Lots and Lots of Research
For many writers, each project begins with a brief and a strenuous research process. Once the copywriter understands what the client or manager is looking for, they go deep into research.
Frankie Calandra, ON Advertising’s in-house copywriter, explains his research process, “Typically when I get a project I start with extensive research on the client and what their competitors are doing.” He continues, “then I brainstorm ways to make the client stand out from their competitors by using verbiage that might connect with their target audience.”
it’s also not uncommon for writers to use keyword research to guide them when developing website content, i.e. websites and blog posts.
Of Course, a Copywriter is Going to Write
As you’d expect, writing is the main responsibility of the copywriter. They work in a variety of areas by brainstorming and creating engaging prose that enlists a response. Some of the most common types of copy they write include:
- Webpages
- Blog posts
- Landing pages
- Printed, radio, and video ads
- Email marketing
- Brand taglines
- Product descriptions
- And many more
Additionally, many copywriters must follow specific guidelines every time they produce copy. For example, when it comes to digital writing they must incorporate keywords into the website content and blog posts for search engine optimization (SEO) purposes.
The Copywriter Collaborates with All Members of the Agency
Of course, the copywriter works very closely with other members of the creative team. It’s not uncommon for them to share ideas with the graphic designer working on the project, or go to the creative director for some guidance on a piece. Also, writers collaborate with the video production team to develop the direction of a video spot.
While the writer may be a full-fledged member of the creative team, they work closely with all members of an ad agency. For example, they work with the accounts team quite often to better understand what the client is looking for in a project. Also, they collaborate with the social media team to ensure the brand tone of voice aligns with what is established for the client.
Create Inspired Taglines and Engaging Content
Copywriters spend an extraordinary amount of time researching and writing headlines and content for blog posts, sales pages, website copy, and brochures. It’s fairly typical for writers to run tagline ideas to other writers, marketers, and clients to gauge how well they may be received. Depending on the feedback, they’ll refine the taglines to make them truly stand out.
They also create content that engages the audience. One way our copywriter measures copy performance is by looking at our clients’ Google Analytics report. He explains, “there are three things that I look at after publishing a blog post or launching a website: specific page views, average time on the page, and where it ranks on the website’s popular pages.”
This information gives Frankie and other writers an idea of how engaging the copy is for the user. As well as how enticing the headline is in attracting users to the website. So, you better believe Frankie will be spying on this blog post’s Google Analytics report to see how it performs!
Good Copy That Reflects Your Brand Image
A good advertisement is not just about colorful designs and attractive product placements. Incorporating copy into the mix, or at least considering it, is an absolute must.
Good copy is what connects people to a brand by playing to their interests and personality. It creates a strong brand tone of voice that consumers resonate with and one they come back to ensure their favorite brands are still one of their own. It projects an image of what a company is all about and sells it to the consumer with captivating writing.
One brand ON Advertising is particularly proud to establish its brand tone of voice is JRI Hospitality’s The Original Grande.
Frankie explains his approach to developing the tone for The Original Grande, “After a lot of research and brainstorming, I geared the brand tone of voice towards a more laid-back, fun attitude to promote a more casual environment. While the restaurant chain isn’t open yet, I can’t wait to see how people react to the work we’re doing for The Original Grande.”
Make Your Brand Stand Out With ON Advertising’s Creative Services
For more than 25 years, ON Advertising has been one of Phoenix, Arizona’s premier marketing firms. Our agency is composed of a variety of professionals ranging from marketing strategists and account executives to creative video producers and graphic designers. We’re the source for marketing solutions that bring you an increase in ROI. Contact us today and learn how our team can help elevate your business today.
