A copyright is a type of intellectual property that protects one’s art, inventions, or ideas. It gives its owner(s) or assignee(s) the exclusive legal right to film, perform, print, publish, or record the creative work.
Anyone creating creative material can be a copyright owner. In fact, as soon as a creator fixes their work in a tangible form of expression, such as a lyricist writing a song, a photographer snapping a picture, or an artist painting a portrait, they become the author and owner. However, the owner may want to register their work with the U.S. Copyright Office for additional protection.
What is Copywriting?
Copywriting is the process of writing persuasive marketing content. Professionals often refer to this content as “copy.” Copywriters, or those who write copy, typically have three central goals:
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Amplify brand awareness
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Build consumer trust
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Increase sales and leads
More broadly, a copywriter’s goal is to have people take action. While more often than not, the goal is ultimately sales and leads, other calls to action (CTAs) may include, but are not limited to, joining an email list, downloading a file, following a brand on social media, or donating to a cause.
To avoid confusion in the future—if you’re ever in the position to describe what a copywriter does, say “they write copy,” not “they copywrite.”
Where You Can Find Copy
Copywriters create a wide variety of written material. As a matter of fact, you probably interact with copy every day. Between print and digital marketing mediums, copywriters create a wide variety of media including, but not limited to: