What Do Writers Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for writers?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what writers do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Writers Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about writers by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Writers originate and prepare written material, such as scripts, stories, advertisements, and other material.
Popular Job Titles For Writers
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Copywriters
- Blog Writers
- Content Writers
- Article Writers
- Marketing Copywriters
- Writers
- UX Writers
- Customs Entry Writers
- Marketing Writers
- UX Copywriters
- Creative Copywriters
- Grant Writers
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for writers can be found.
Best Industries for Writers
Writers Jobs By Industry
- Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services: 15.7%
- Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers: 10.4%
- Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers: 10.1%
- Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services: 8.6%
- Motion Picture and Video Industries: 7.9%
- Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers: 5.2%
- Other: 42.1%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of writers can be found working in the Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services sector. In 2022, about 15.7% of all jobs for writers were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (10.4%), Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (10.1%), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (8.6%), Motion Picture and Video Industries (7.9%) and Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (5.2%).
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Learn how to evaluate, support and integrate communications efforts to help move businesses in front of their competition, including executing strategic plans, developing print materials, and creating digital content in a variety of professional positions, such as PR specialist, copywriter and marketing coordinator.
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Learn to craft clear and effective messages while adding new media communication methods to your professional toolkit.
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Stand out with a specialized master’s degree focused entirely on strategically integrating marketing and communication.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 14
- Accreditation: IACBE
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What Do Writers Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what writers do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work writers do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that writers tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for writers, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Writers
Based on 46,892 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Writers
Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
---|---|---|
Copywriting | 17,581 | 37% |
Marketing | 16,394 | 35% |
Proofreading | 12,250 | 26% |
Social Media | 10,563 | 23% |
Journalism | 9,446 | 20% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Writers
Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
---|---|---|
Writing | 26,653 | 57% |
Communications | 19,520 | 42% |
Research | 16,183 | 35% |
Editing | 14,432 | 31% |
English Language | 11,393 | 24% |
Based on 46,892 job postings related to writers, copywriting was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 37% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for marketing, proofreading, social media, journalism and target audience were also highly sought.
As for common skills, writing was the most desired skill found in job postings for writers, followed by communications, research, editing, english language and detail oriented.
Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
---|---|---|
Copywriting | 17,581 | 37% |
Marketing | 16,394 | 35% |
Proofreading | 12,250 | 26% |
Social Media | 10,563 | 23% |
Journalism | 9,446 | 20% |
Target Audience | 8,027 | 17% |
Search Engine Optimization | 7,689 | 16% |
Content Creation | 6,300 | 13% |
Punctuation And Capitalization | 5,739 | 12% |
Fact Checking | 5,464 | 12% |
Project Management | 5,337 | 11% |
Blogger (Service) | 4,559 | 10% |
Style Guides | 3,453 | 7% |
Blogs | 3,384 | 7% |
Advertisement | 2,967 | 6% |
Newsletters | 2,917 | 6% |
Digital Marketing | 2,789 | 6% |
Business To Business | 2,713 | 6% |
Content Strategy | 2,675 | 6% |
User Experience (UX) | 2,632 | 6% |
Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
---|---|---|
Writing | 26,653 | 57% |
Communications | 19,520 | 42% |
Research | 16,183 | 35% |
Editing | 14,432 | 31% |
English Language | 11,393 | 24% |
Detail Oriented | 10,935 | 23% |
Grammar | 10,004 | 21% |
Presentations | 5,890 | 13% |
Ability To Meet Deadlines | 5,012 | 11% |
Self-Motivation | 4,890 | 10% |
Sales | 4,811 | 10% |
Time Management | 4,736 | 10% |
Microsoft Office | 4,506 | 10% |
Management | 4,420 | 9% |
Skype | 4,407 | 9% |
Customer Service | 4,350 | 9% |
Organizational Skills | 4,291 | 9% |
Leadership | 3,922 | 8% |
Multitasking | 3,773 | 8% |
Problem Solving | 3,602 | 8% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Writers
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
---|---|---|
Copywriters | 30,535 | 30% |
Blog Writers | 6,904 | 6.8% |
Content Writers | 23,919 | 23.5% |
Article Writers | 9,297 | 9.1% |
Marketing Copywriters | 2,699 | 2.7% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2021 and August 2022, the top job sought by employers was copywriters, with 10,237 unique job postings. Blog writers were second, with 3,247 postings, followed by content writers, article writers and marketing copywriters.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to writers.
Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
---|---|---|
Copywriters | 30,535 | 30% |
Blog Writers | 6,904 | 6.8% |
Content Writers | 23,919 | 23.5% |
Article Writers | 9,297 | 9.1% |
Marketing Copywriters | 2,699 | 2.7% |
Writers | 2,825 | 2.8% |
UX Writers | 1,700 | 1.7% |
Customs Entry Writers | 5,299 | 5.2% |
Marketing Writers | 1,248 | 1.2% |
UX Copywriters | 825 | 0.8% |
Creative Copywriters | 1,228 | 1.2% |
Grant Writers | 1,013 | 1% |
Service Writers | 9,060 | 8.9% |
Digital Copywriters | 972 | 1% |
Marketing Content Writers | 833 | 0.8% |
Scientific Writers | 710 | 0.7% |
Digital Content Writers | 785 | 0.8% |
Digital Advertising Specialists | 774 | 0.8% |
Brand Copywriters | 581 | 0.6% |
Communications Writers | 580 | 0.6% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for writers? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for writers.
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