8. Be a team player.
Most copywriters are accustomed to working alone, sequestered away from the rest of the team, doors closed, blinds drawn, working feverishly against time.
It’s what we do out of necessity, when there’s no room for distractions and we just need to put our heads down to get the job done as soon as possible.
Yet while it’s certainly not unusual for a copywriter to do his or her thing in isolation, battling loneliness as well as the clock, it really shouldn’t be the norm.
Sure, to succeed as a copywriter, you need to be a self-starter, capable of working independently for long stretches of time. But you also need to be a team player, someone who works well with others – especially designers, creative directors and account people – and can appreciate the importance of timely, seamless handoffs between everyone involved in a project.
You need to be disciplined enough to work in a vacuum (if necessary), but you don’t want to be an introvert. The more enthusiastically you collaborate and communicate with others, the better.
If you’re invited to a meeting, be punctual and prepared to participate.
If you’re taking changes to your work, respond promptly and positively.
If you’re given a deadline, beat it.
Brainstorm – or just plain socialize – with your colleagues and clients as much as possible. Get away from your desk and out of your office whenever the opportunity presents itself.
If you go out of your way to show your support for those who depend on you, they’ll be more likely to return the favor and do everything they can to ensure your success.
This is the eighth in a 10-post series on how to succeed as a copywriter. In the near future, I’ll publish the remaining two posts in this series (not necessarily consecutively), here on my blog, A New Marketing Commentator. Please stay tuned. And if you have any feedback on this series for me, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment or click “like” below. Thanks.
Previous Posts in This Series
10 Ways to Succeed as a Copywriter, Part One
Dare to be different.
10 Ways to Succeed as a Copywriter, Part Two
Care deeply about results.
10 Ways to Succeed as a Copywriter, Part Three
Walk in your readers’ shoes.
10 Ways to Succeed as a Copywriter, Part Four
Develop strong presentation skills.
10 Ways to Succeed as a Copywriter, Part Five
Keep your head out of the sand.
10 Ways to Succeed as a Copywriter, Part Six
Exercise good judgment.
10 Ways to Succeed as a Copywriter, Part Seven
Meet your deadlines.
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