What is a copywriter?

When explaining to friends and family that I work in advertising, I must be very clear that I am neither a graphic designer nor a marketer. “Oh, like when stuff gets copyrighted?” In a sense yes, but also absolutely not. The easiest, and most entertaining, way I explain what I do is that “I write the words you don’t want to read on the ads you don’t want to see.” This always seems to get a laugh, but really, what is it that I do? 

After my well-practiced one-liner, I go on to inflate my ego (and justify to mom and dad my art degree) by mentioning how I write commercials, radio spots, billboards, the whole shebang. After some “ooohs,” “aahhhhs,” and “So, like Madmen?” the topic is dropped. But, that still isn’t everything I do. What gets out into the world is probably a good 10% (and the most visually exciting part) of what it really means to be a copywriter. 

Outside of the flashy finished products, copywriters are researchers. A wall to bounce ideas off of. A “hey can you look this over?” aficionado. We are the office encyclopedia and are always ready to talk your ear off about some niche corner of the internet. We have worn down our computer keys and know it takes exactly 15 minutes for the motion lights to go off in the office after closing. We’re the mighty word smith with our trusty sidekick art director lad. 

So, in short, what is a copywriter? We are advertising experts who lend our fingers and wit to the voice of the brand. But yes, we also write the things you don’t want to read on the ads you don’t want to see.