In short, yes.
Copywriting as we know it today has been studied and recognized as an essential part of marketing for decades.
But the history of copywriting goes back even further. No doubt, vendors on the streets of ancient Rome would have needed to use persuasion as they bartered with potential customers.
And can you guess when this ad for Van Camp’s Boston Baked Pork and Beans first ran?
By modern standards, it’s a pretty good ad. It has eye-catching graphics, an enticing description of the product, and even a contest to engage readers.
It would be easy to assume this ad first ran in the 1970s, or even 1980s. It was actually first featured in The Ladies’ Home Journal in 1897.
The point we’re trying to make is that copywriting has been around for a long time, and it’s not going anywhere.
Businesses have always needed to reach potential customers and effectively communicate what they can offer them.
This is even more important in our modern information age. Today, people are constantly receiving more and more competing messages throughout all forms of media.
“Without good copywriters, we don’t have a business.”— Julia Guth, The Oxford Club
Every business needs a way to stand out from the noise, which is why many of them invest heavily in marketing and copywriting.
The following statistics show how copywriting, both in print and online, is an integral part of most modern businesses:
Robert Half International recently reported, “Demand for skilled copywriters is rising as more companies require compelling content for Web-based initiatives and print advertising. 60% of advertising and marketing executives who plan to hire new employees said they’ll be adding copywriters.”
The future looks bright for copywriting — and those of us lucky enough to be part of the industry.
Now, let’s briefly compare this to other industries. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, out of the 808 occupations they track, 190 of those occupations are predicted to decline over the next eight years.
That means job losses will be seen in nearly 25%, or one quarter, of all professions throughout the U.S.! This includes professionals across all walks of life, such as car mechanics, chief executives, electronics engineers, pharmacists, and farmworkers.
Even a profession like computer programming, which requires the minimum of a bachelor’s degree for entry, is expected to see a 7% decline by 2028, with 17,900 jobs being lost.
Many AWAI members have been caught in the turmoil and uncertainty of what they thought were stable jobs. After going through layoffs, downsizing, and cutbacks in their previous professions, they found their way into copywriting and have never looked back.
Copywriting is a sought-after skill that businesses need to survive. This is why copywriting is a growing industry that pays well and has a nearly bottomless amount of work.
As long as you put in the effort to learn the craft of copywriting, you’ll always be in demand and able to enjoy the high income and stability that come with being a copywriter.
