Self-Employed Copywriter

"I work as an independent writer, although I’m almost always involved with a team. I write copy, create storyboards, and help groups to brand or position their product and ideas. All of my writing is relational—it’s about connecting with people, getting a point across, and nailing the message. It’s about efficiency and elegance. I’ve learned a lot about writing for the web, digital design and technical copywriting. Sometimes my jobs are just about editing and proofing, but most times it’s about communicating a message to get target audience members involved."

Salary Range:

$44,000 - $62,000

The Tip

Hold on to your sense of humour through this work. You have to roll with the punches, tolerate periods of unemployment and quickly learn to work with all kinds of people.

Priority Knowledge & Skills

Evidence-based Decision Making

Keep your reputation by publishing sound work based on valid sources
Ability to set priorities

Advanced Research & Analysis Skills

Critically analyze research
Manage multiple sources and synthesize multiple viewpoints

Contextual Knowledge

Area-specific knowledge, concentrated areas of expertise
Adapt messaging for a variety of audiences and viewpoints

Technical literacy

Advanced Communication Skills

Excellent writing skills
Creative writing skills combined with excellence in grammar and storytelling

Inter-personal Skills

Work in groups of various sizes
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal

Intra-personal Skills

Work on your own
Well-organized, punctual, self-motivated
Creative thinking skills
High adaptability

Building Block Experiences

Education & Learning:

Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) with a minor in journalism

This combination has been great for me. I’m one of the few in the field that has this kind of background. The journalism side taught me skills for developing evidence-based stories, and I became confident with specialized communications and design technology. My interviewing skills were augmented by my understanding of human behaviour and motivation.

Employment Experiences:

Babysitting, then lifeguard. I worked part time through the school year and full time in the summers.
Outreach coordinator for city programming department
Manager, community relations for a not-for-profit agency
Community newspaper writer/columnist

I thought that I wanted something stable and consistent in my work life, but what I discovered was that I really wanted freedom and autonomy. I’ve had to give up security, but I’ve gained the ability to set my own hours, take or refuse gigs as I wish to, and I can do a lot of my writing from anywhere in the world.

Community Experiences:

Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteer
Board of directors at local Boys & Girls Club
Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity builds

Volunteering in ways that directly help families has been important to me. When I was in university I liked volunteering to help the same kid each week. Now that I have time and funds to travel, I’ve put my energy into building houses to support low-income families. I’ve learned some solid skills and I’ve met some terrific humans along the way. It’s sort of social, but not really – I am part of a group, but I’m focused on my own tasks.

Contextual Experiences:

I enjoy working around people, but I prefer to be my own boss if I can. I’ve found a good mix in my work now.

I’m naturally quite introverted. I prefer to work on my own or in small groups, and if I’m going to volunteer my time it will either be one-to-one, or where we’re focused on a skill.

Relationships:

I don’t like to “network,” but I do enjoy connecting with individuals and small groups. If you know me, you likely know me well.

Being a writer has been perfect for my disposition. I can share of myself without being drained and freelancing means I can join teams without needing to get involved with the politics of the place. I feel it gives me the flexibility and freedom that’s right for my personality.