Creative Copywriter

Did I learn how to be a creative copywriter at uni?

Well no, not exactly. I studied Philosophy at Nottingham University. I loved the subject and came out with flying colours -  a 2 , 1 BA Hons Degree in Philosophy from a top uni. But once I’d finished, the question dawned on me - OK what do I do now?

Philosophy doesn’t really give you much direction. It doesn’t lead you down any specific career path. So I lived with regret for a while after, wishing that I’d chosen some kind of business/marketing-related subject instead…

But as I ventured into the world of work, and developed strong selling and leadership skills while downunder in the fabulous land of Australia, I began to understand the use and importance of my degree. Philosophy teaches you to think. It stretches the boundaries of your mind. I realised that philosophy had equipped me with the skill to take on any task or dilemma and process it logically and easily in my mind. It gave me an analytical way of looking at things, which is proving to be pretty darn useful… So maybe it didn’t specifically teach me how to succeed as a creative copywriter, but it gave my brain a kick in the right direction.

 

So was ‘thinking’ the only thing I did at uni?

No. I also drank pints at the student union, played 5-aside football in the local park with mates, watched  “Mighty Boosh” and “Family Guy” episodes, went to parties dressed as a pirate, learnt basic Spanish, and took salsa classes in order to pick up chicks (not so successfully). But those things aren’t relevant now!

The other major skill that I developed at uni was of course my ability to write… If there’s one thing you have to do a lot of on a philosophy course, apart from pondering about deep stuff, it’s writing. I had to hammer out loads of lengthy essays on abstract and intricate subjects. Although very technical and logical in parts, my essays always included wit. Perhaps too much at times. I guess it was the creative copywriter inside trying to break out.

It was this growing hunger and talent for writing, combined with my sales training and experience, plus my love of media and advertising throughout the world, that led me to copywriting. And this magial formula would then eventually create the internationally adored copywriting superstar, ‘The Creative Copywriter’(me)!

Stay tuned for how to be a creative copywriter online, links to my work, information about ‘The Institute of Copywriting’, and all kinds of other hints, tips, stories and more…

Technorati Tags: copywriter online, creative copywriter