Writer / Author
Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.
Annual openings
367
BLS median wage
$76,830
Typical education
High school (GED)
10-year growth
+10%
Career requirements
What does this career require?
The education, credentials, and on-the-job competencies Colorado employers expect for this role.
Typical education
High school (GED)
Credential requirement
No certification is required or expected for this job.
Work experience
No previous work experience is required, though work experience/internship/education building the skills needed to become a professional writer is expected.
Work-based learning
No information available
Employer competency information
Feedback from artists identifies the following competencies as being critical to success
- Creativity — The ability to turn an idea into a story
- Entrepreneurship — How to earn a living from your passion and creating a good business plan
- Marketing — The ability to promote what is written to readers and businesses
Is this work a fit?
What the work actually feels like
How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.
Work style
- With kids/peopleOccasionally
- On a computerOccasionally
- Outdoors / on-siteOccasionally
- With your handsOccasionally
Interests it draws on
- Arts, Design, and Entertainment
- Publishing
Automation exposure
Low exposure
Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.
A typical day
- Develop advertising campaigns for a wide range of clients, working with an advertising agency's creative director and art director to determine the best way to present advertising information.
- Vary language and tone of messages based on product and medium.
- Present drafts and ideas to clients.
- Discuss with the client the product, advertising themes and methods, and any changes that should be made in advertising copy.
- Review advertising trends, consumer surveys, and other data regarding marketing of goods and services to determine the best way to promote products.
- Write articles, bulletins, sales letters, speeches, and other related informative, marketing and promotional material.