Copywriting is not what most people think it is. It is not a writer looking at a piece of paper and then simply re-writing the words. Copywriting is anything written that is used to promote something or to dissuade people. The effect of this form of writing is evident each time we open a magazine, turn on the television or surf the internet. Copywriters write the words that sell a thought, idea or product unlike the similar sounding word "copyright" which it is most often confused with.

Web copywriting has increased in the past few years as the popularity in search engines rises. Web copywriting is most often in regards to articles written in a specific manner. The articles are called SEO (search engine optimized) and are specifically written around certain key words. The key words are recognized by the search engine used and then cause the article or product to be displayed in the results. An example would be the words: dog clown suits. Any articles or promotional writing that is on an internet webpage that have those specific words written in sequence would come up as a result.

The use of copywriting does not stop at the internet. Advertising copywriting is a huge industry. Companies rely on copywriters to bring in more customers. An ad that does not make sense is one that consumers will ignore and thus the product or service is ignored. Ads can also be used to sway an audience against an idea. An example is the anti-smoking ads issued by government agencies and private groups to help show the affects of cigarette smoking on the body. The idea of a negative image is used to help keep young people away from smoking.

Thanks to the internet, freelance copywriter positions are opening up each day. Many job boards are finding themselves inundated with copywriting jobs. Most require some form of writing experience but often do not require a degree. Read through the ad carefully and see if you match the requirements.

The next time you watch a television ad, read through a magazine or surf the internet, consider all of the material that pops up at you. Copywriting surrounds us and influences in ways we never even notice. The reason we may pick one brand of sausage over another is because of an ad. If we hear a catchy phrase on a commercial, we remember it all day. All those little things are marketing working on our spending habits.