Writers and Authors

What the job really is

Originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.

At a glance

• Sector: Arts, Design & Media
• O*NET-SOC code: 27-3043
• O*NET job zone: 4 — considerable preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.
• Conduct research and interviews to determine which of a product's selling features should be promoted.
• Invent names for products and write the slogans that appear on packaging, brochures and other promotional material.
• Collaborate with other writers on specific projects.
• Conduct research to obtain factual information and authentic detail, using sources such as newspaper accounts, diaries, and interviews.
• Consult with sales, media and marketing representatives to obtain information on product or service and discuss style and length of advertising written material.
• Edit or rewrite existing written material as necessary, and submit written material for approval by supervisor, editor, or publisher.

Tools and technology

Adobe Acrobat, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere Pro, Asana, Canva, Facebook, Figma, Google Analytics

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers
• Public Relations Specialists
• Advertising Sales Agents
• Search Marketing Strategists
• Editors
• Advertising and Promotions Managers
• Art Directors
• Producers and Directors

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 4 (considerable preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Writers and Authors — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.