11 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
11 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Copywriter\Technical writer\Ghostwriter....?

by wanna-succeed
9 replies
I noticed these are the 3 titles given to writers on the internet.
I simply get paid for writing, rewriting and thinking creatively; where does that put me?:confused:
How should a writer be classified into these categories?
What is the difference between them?
I feel like such a newb asking this, however you know what they say:
"Curiousity killed the IMer"....:rolleyes:
#copywritertechnical #writerghostwriter
  • Profile picture of the author excuzemee
    Originally Posted by wanna-succeed View Post

    I noticed these are the 3 titles given to writers on the internet.
    I simply get paid for writing, rewriting and thinking creatively; where does that put me?:confused:
    How should a writer be classified into these categories?
    What is the difference between them?
    I feel like such a newb asking this, however you know what they say:
    "Curiousity killed the IMer"....:rolleyes:
    Go with ghost writer, then you will get the people who don't want to write. Then you can let them know that you do other stuff too, like writing creatively.
    Signature

    Ask all the questions you want, but in the end they will all be answered by just doing it!... Get to work!

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3241564].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Ouroboros
    Daniel,

    Each of these is actually a sub-niche of writing when used in their strictest definition. Technical writers specialize in product descriptions and more precise text than say a general article writer. Ghostwriters, in my mind anyway, are writers that do ebooks and longer content that the customer hopes to use under their own name for whatever purpose.

    Copywriters are a whole different animal, their writing style is very specialized and slants toward advertising more so than informative text.

    Perhaps you should consider yourself a Creative Content Producer?

    Steve
    Signature

    Need a Simple Product/Service to Market to Offline Clients? Sell Them DFY Custom Videos. https://www.fiverr.com/users/gigsiteguy

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3241626].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author wanna-succeed
      Originally Posted by Ouroboros View Post

      Daniel,

      Perhaps you should consider yourself a Creative Content Producer?

      Steve

      Steve, I actually like that idea

      Thanks for the tip m8!
      Signature

      No sig, good day m8...

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3241667].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author tpw
      Originally Posted by Ouroboros View Post

      Daniel,

      Each of these is actually a sub-niche of writing when used in their strictest definition. Technical writers specialize in product descriptions and more precise text than say a general article writer. Ghostwriters, in my mind anyway, are writers that do ebooks and longer content that the customer hopes to use under their own name for whatever purpose.

      Copywriters are a whole different animal, their writing style is very specialized and slants toward advertising more so than informative text.

      Perhaps you should consider yourself a Creative Content Producer?

      Steve

      Agree with most of Steve said.

      But, I did consider myself a ghost writer, even though I wrote articles in the 700-1200 word range.

      Copy writers write sales copy. I am learning that trade for my own use.
      Signature
      Bill Platt, Oklahoma USA, PlattPublishing.com
      Publish Coloring Books for Profit (WSOTD 7-30-2015)
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3241669].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Colin Palfrey
    How about calling yourself a Word-Technician or a Content-Specialist?
    Signature

    I write articles and eBooks - PM me for details!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3241665].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Colin Palfrey
    Actually I'd go with Merchant Novelist
    Signature

    I write articles and eBooks - PM me for details!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3241708].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author donhx
    Originally Posted by wanna-succeed View Post


    I simply get paid for writing, rewriting and thinking creatively; where does that put me?:confused:

    Out in left field.

    Copywriter/Technical writer/Ghostwriter are positions in the infield.
    Signature
    Quality content to beat the competition. Personalized Author Services
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3241709].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Charlotte Jay
    Huh, I never thought of it that way. Yes, my business is ghostwriting, but I also do a bit of creative writing on the side. The beauty of being in business for yourself is that you can be called whatever you want., like Charlotte Jay, Ghostwriter, Story Producer and GAP (Generally Awesome Person) Not sure that will all fit on my business card though??
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3242012].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Colin Theriot
      Originally Posted by Ouroboros View Post

      Daniel,

      Each of these is actually a sub-niche of writing when used in their strictest definition. Technical writers specialize in product descriptions and more precise text than say a general article writer. Ghostwriters, in my mind anyway, are writers that do ebooks and longer content that the customer hopes to use under their own name for whatever purpose.

      Copywriters are a whole different animal, their writing style is very specialized and slants toward advertising more so than informative text.

      Perhaps you should consider yourself a Creative Content Producer?

      Steve
      Steve here got it pretty much dead on. Technical writers are ones you would hire to do manuals, tutorials, process descriptions, anything where clarity and brevity would be important.

      Ghostwriters do whatever kind of writing the client wants with the understanding that the point is that the client gets all the credit. Ghostwriters are invisible to the public.

      Copywriters create sales and marketing copy designed to influence and persuade people to buy things. This is probably the most specialized one, as people who are just generally skilled in writing could do the other two, but marketing copywriting is a very specific skill and discipline.

      Now that's not to say there isn't overlap. The beginning of my own writing career had me being a ghostwriter for several prominent IM figures, and I wrote not only content, but also technical documents, and yes, sales copy. All this work was attributed to my employer (though it was an open secret that there was a staff writer).

      What's great about being a writer though, is that you can call yourself whatever you like, as long as you can deliver the product that's being asked of you. Marketing copywriting will be the must lucrative though, since it's directly tied to the money being made.

      Hope that helps!
      Signature

      Fair warning: It's possible I'm arguing with you because I have nothing better to do.
      Join my free copywriting group on Facebook: http://CultOfCopy.com

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[3242141].message }}

Trending Topics