Copywriter

THE OPPORTUNITY

Copywriter

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• A bachelor’s degree, English or writing emphasis preferred
• Portfolio showcasing conceptual skills
• One-plus years of experience in an agency setting, solid creative writing skills and a digital landscape expertise
• Proficiency with Microsoft, Adobe Creative Suites
• Demonstrated business acumen, ability to be a team player, establish an information hierarchy, work independently under guidance from Creative Director and other senior team members

 CORE SKILLS

A conceptual copywriter for the Retail Team must possess an essential set of core skills that distinguish themselves for the unique needs of Automotive Retail copywriting. An overview follows:  

IDEATOR

Most certainly, a skilled iterator is needed. One that can work quickly and efficiently under duress of deadlines. One that can also pivot ideation on request under extreme time-constraints [before & after regular business hours]. Strategic direction can quickly change, and is often subjected to market conditions, and global/current events. 

PERSISTENCE/STAYING POWER

As a result, the Retail Copywriter must possess staying power: the ability to keep digging in the well for ideas and solutions to any ever-changing directions. The Retail Writer must have the fortitude to remain committed to the project for the long haul...to endure not only unexpected direction changes, but multiple expected “tweaks & revisions” from the multiple layers of internal agency & client reviews.  

ADAPTABILITY

No doubt, being skilled in adapting to the situation at hand, is needed, almost as much as work that can be shared with clients. For automotive retail copywriting is not just about the big idea. It’s also about the ability to create desire through the description and portrayal of features & benefits. And it’s most certainly often about creating a sense of urgency and a call to action.  

Few, if any copywriting positions call for this disparate and unique combination of writing skills, in addition to subtleties of tone needed on different types of assignments: New Product Launches, Regional or National Sales Events, Disaster Relief, Community Support, Regional-Centric Product Campaigns, or Multi-Cultural Campaigns.  

MULTI-TASKER

Indeed, these multiple writing skills are held to a premium, because they are relied upon and leveraged day-in, and day-out. For the Retail Copywriter must also be skilled in multi-tasking several assignments at once, and often, with pressing & overlapping deadlines (each with their own unique requirements). Deadline management skills are as much needed day-to-day, as the ability to deliver useful ideas.  

Clearly, the Retail Copywriter must skillfully assimilate as much information through briefs & requests. Drilling down to key points and key facts for big idea nuggets, is a skill every Retail Automotive Copywriter must possess.  

FOCUS & CLARITY OF PURPOSE

Similarly, information needed may be incomplete, incomprehensible, or both. Knowing what information you need, is just as important a skill as knowing what information you don’t need. Clarity of purpose & intent breeds efficiency…most useful in the Retail Creative Team where creativity is on demand and always under duress of deadlines.   

Regarding information, it is important to note that useful information can make the difference between an idea that captures the imagination, creates desire and motivates action...and an idea that fails in one or all of those end-goals.

ARTICULATE & SUCCINCT

Sharing ideas is an everyday part of the job. The ability to succinctly articulate the how-what-why of an idea is a skill and quality that every Retail Copywriter should possess. Whether conveying ideas to your Art Director, Manager, Agency Colleagues or even Clients, the Retail Writer’s ability to sell the work is just as important as the ability of the actual idea itself to sell the consumer. And given the existence of multi-layered approval gauntlets [internal & client], the ability to be clear, concise, and articulate in conveying ideas is both useful and appreciated.  

RETAIL COPYWRITER SKILLSETS

• Quick-to-Concept & Script 
• Ideator
• Perform under Deadline  
• Organized
• Buttoned-Up   
• Information Assimilator
• Multi-Tasker 
• Articulate & Succinct
• Concepting to budget
• Persistence & Staying Power
• Adaptability
• Purpose & Focus
• Work-Smart
• Articulate & Succinct 
• Cut through Clutter
• Brand, product and legal guideline compliance