Writers and Authors

27-3043.00

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

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

• 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.
• Follow appropriate procedures to get copyrights for completed work.
• Plan project arrangements or outlines, and organize material accordingly.
• Prepare works in appropriate format for publication, and send them to publishers or producers.
• Revise written material to meet personal standards and to satisfy needs of clients, publishers, directors, or producers.
• Work with staff to develop script, story, or advertising concepts.
• Write advertising material for use by publication, broadcast, or internet media to promote the sale of goods and services.
• Write fiction or nonfiction prose, such as short stories, novels, biographies, articles, descriptive or critical analyses, and essays.
• Write to customers in their terms and on their level so that the script, story, or advertisement message is more readily received.

Technology Skills

• Cloud-based data access and sharing software - Asana; Google Drive; Microsoft SharePoint 🔥; Slack 🔥
• Customer relationship management CRM software - Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge
• Data base management system software - MySQL 🔥
• Data base user interface and query software - FileMaker Pro; Microsoft Access 🔥
• Data mining software - Google Analytics 🔥
• Desktop communications software - Eko; ParentSquare
• Desktop publishing software - Adobe InDesign 🔥; Campaign Monitor; QuarkXPress
• Document management software - Adobe Acrobat 🔥
• Electronic mail software - Microsoft Outlook 🔥; SendGrid
• Graphical user interface development software - Figma 🔥
• Graphics or photo imaging software - Adobe Creative Cloud software 🔥; Adobe Illustrator 🔥; Adobe Photoshop 🔥
• Industrial control software - Chatbot software
• Instant messaging software - Twitter
• Office suite software - Google Workspace software 🔥; Microsoft Office software
• Presentation software - Adobe Persuasion; Corel Presentation; Google Slides; Microsoft PowerPoint
• Project management software - Microsoft Project 🔥; Project management software
• Sales and marketing software - Google Ads; HubSpot software 🔥
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
• Video creation and editing software - Adobe After Effects 🔥; Adobe Premiere Pro; Apple Final Cut Pro; Avid Technology Media Composer; Flipgrid; Kapwing; Loom; TikTok 🔥; YouTube
• Web page creation and editing software - Adobe Dreamweaver; Facebook 🔥; LinkedIn 🔥; Social media sites; Web content management system CMS software; WordPress 🔥
• Web platform development software - Drupal 🔥; Hypertext markup language HTML 🔥; PHP 🔥
• Word processing software - Google Docs 🔥; Microsoft Word

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

• Develop promotional strategies or plans.
• Write advertising or promotional material.
• Present work to clients for approval.
• Confer with clients to determine needs.
• Monitor current trends.
• Conduct market research.
• Collaborate with others to prepare or perform artistic productions.
• Conduct research to inform art, designs, or other work.
• Collaborate with others in marketing activities.
• Edit written materials.
• Obtain copyrights or other legal permissions.
• Write material for artistic or entertainment purposes.
• Coordinate artistic activities.
• Discuss production content and progress with others.