What it Means to Work Alone as a Copywriter
Whether you consider yourself a people person or not, working alongside others is something that will occupy nearly all your time as a copywriter, but also as a working professional. Collaborative projects are quite common when dealing with the satisfaction of clients, as is the approval of a manager before sending out the finished product.
Copywriters often work with an array of other professionals, like designers, art directors, accountants, and of course, their clients; which can encompass many fields. This essentially stresses the importance of the ability to work alone. With so much assistance at their fingertips, copywriters may be typecasted as individuals requiring help at all times. Proving that you can in fact find success during a solo venture makes you a valuable asset.
By working alone, I don’t simply mean freelancing, as even that comes with the monitoring and assistance of managers from time to time. What I do mean is having the capability to start a project by yourself and direct the creative process throughout its entirety is considered one of the most highly sought after skill sets in copywriting.
Again, opportunities to flex these creative skills will most likely not arise often. However, when they do, it’s best to understand how to approach the situation. Don’t cower and wait for someone else to take the reigns. It is a profoundly gratifying experience overseeing an entire project that proves successful, and should be what motivates you as a creative. To prepare for this moment, write outside of your professional career and during your personal time. Write about anything you are passionate about, and the creative juices will flow.
When stepping up and deciding to lead a new project, managers and colleagues will begin to see you as an asset to whatever company you may be writing for. You challenge yourself, and go through what I consider to be a truly unique difficulty: defending your own art. Others may try to change your original idea here and there, and while their opinions are certainly worth considering, the point of you leading should be to instill confidence in your team that your plan is the right plan.
For any creative who has shared projects or worked underneath a fellow contributor, the feeling of ineffectiveness and convalescence is all too familiar. Sure, working collaboratively is something that all copywriters must do, but when the chance comes to lead the way, that should never be squandered. Showcase your artistic abilities, and don’t let the fear of rejection stop you from doing so. Just remember-we’ve all been there before.
