Careers in Writing | RAZZ

My name, unfortunately, is Gregory Hoare. That?s why I like writing. On paper my?surname (almost) lacks negative connotations.

In fact, it looks more like ?hoar? > meaning ?frost? > which implies ?white haired??or ?wise? (perfectly logical), than the ?whore? that it sounds like phonetically.

Last year I was the Creative Editor for Razz, where I worked with some of the lovely?current team to regulate creative writing submissions. I graduated in the summer, after?studying English, and I?m now working as a copywriter for Stratton Craig. I?m back?(digitally speaking) to post monthly tips on writing and being employed as a writer, along?with the odd snippet of information from the copywriting industry.

To kick things off, Stratton Craig is a written communications firm based in Southwark?Language specialists, they help clients in areas like tone of voice development, brand?positioning, and search engine optimisation, and they do this by writing the company?s?copy, or providing their staff with written communications training.

My role as a copywriter entails writing copy (not ?copyrighting? things). I produce press?releases and advertisements, amongst other things, for a wide variety of companies.?Each brand wants to come across in a certain way, so identifying the required tone and?implementing it in my writing is crucial.

Copywriters often write news articles or features, so there are clear ties to a profession?like journalism, but even creative writing has plenty of similarities. The process of?getting inside a brand to write its copy is similar to that of devising the character for a?story ? of understanding exactly how you want the character to come across, and then?writing the relevant descriptions and dialogue accordingly.

Jobs in ?writing? are often neglected by careers services, but if you enjoy writing, and you?are good at it, there are plenty of opportunities out there. Poet or features writer, you?ll?have lots of transferable skills. Here are a few professions to consider:

Copywriting ? Plenty of companies, like Harrods, employ in-house writers in their?creative teams. Copywriters are a crucial part of most medium/big advertising firms.?Written communications agencies and freelance copywriters complete assignments for?businesses that don?t have in-house teams.

Journalism ? Whether you want to go into print, magazine, online or broadcast?journalism, your skills as a writer will be vital.

Marketing ? Direct, content and digital marketing strategies all require good,?strategic?writing to succeed.

TV/Radio ? The success of most good programmes depends on a team of script/?screenwriters, and researchers.

Blogger ? Producing a blog that enjoys consistent success requires great written?skills.

Creative Writer ? Obviously authors, poets and songwriters all need to be good?writers.

The purpose of my posts will be to broaden awareness of writing as a profession (what?it?s like, what opportunities there are, how to get into it, why it?s important), and to?provide hints on how to write successfully. In the next post I?ll reveal some tips on?dealing with writer?s block, one of the nastiest unlisted conditions around.

Written for Razz by Gregory Hoare.

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