Writers and Authors
What they do
Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.
Expected pay range
Expected pay range
This represents the median earnings for this career in the selected county or state. In the range shown, 25% of workers earned less than the bottom salary and 25% earned more than the top salary. Data is provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.
About writers and authors
Other titles
Advertisement Agency Copywriter (Ad Agency Copywriter), Advertising Associate, Advertising Copywriter, Advertising Writer, Communications Specialist, Copywriter, Freelance Copywriter, Promotion Writer, Search Engine Optimization Copywriter (SEO Copywriter), Web Content Writer
Tasks they perform
- 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.
Skills they need
- Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
- Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
- Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
- Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
- Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
Licenses and Certifications
How to decide which one is right? That depends on an individual’s career path, specialty, and resources.
Certifications
Certifications may be available for this career and can help build knowledge and skills in specific job roles. Explore available certifications (external link opens new tab)
Similar careers
View careers in the same field as writers and authors.
Art Directors
Advertising and Promotions Managers
Better pay
Median salary for this career is higher than the median salary of all careers in the county selected. Salary data is provided by the Texas Workforce Commission.
Advertising Sales Agents
Additional career information and resources
Learn more about writers and authors with these helpful sites.
- American Grant Writers’ Association (external link opens new tab)
- American Society of Journalists and Authors (external link opens new tab)
- Association of Writers and Writing Programs (external link opens new tab)
- Boating Writers International (external link opens new tab)
- Circulo Creativo (external link opens new tab)
- National Association of Science Writers (external link opens new tab)
- Occupational Outlook Handbook: Writers and authors (external link opens new tab)
- Society of Professional Journalists (external link opens new tab)
- Writers Guild of America East (external link opens new tab)