What is Copywriting?

In the worlds of Journalism, Marketing, and Advertising, there is a bit of jargon used for anything that's been written: Copy.

According to Dictionary.com, there are several definitions for copy that apply:

• Written matter intended to be reproduced in printed form: The editor sent the copy for the next issue to the printer.
• The text of a news story, advertisement, television commercial, etc., as distinguished from related visual material.
• The newsworthiness of a person, thing, or event (often prec. by good or bad): The president is always good copy. Compare news
• Printing. Pictures and artwork prepared for reproduction.

The text you see in an advertisement in magazines or newspapers?  It's called Copy.

The words the newscaster reads on the news?  It's Copy.

When you're listening to the radio, and the traffic reporter reads the bit about what local company brought you that traffic report?  That's Copy, too.

Basically, Copy is any professionally-written text that isn't otherwise classified as a book, short story, script, etc.  Articles and essays are sometimes considered copy.  It's a kind of ethereal gray-area.

So when you need to make the most out of the words you use to sell your product or service, you need someone who can write copy -- the Copywriter!

Leland's experience includes writing copy for advertising, marketing, and websites.