How to Become a Catalog Copywriter

By eHow Careers & Work Editor

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Catalog copywriters are paid to write product descriptions in magazines and sales catalogs. Many catalog companies also need catalog copywriters for their websites products, which could lead to a great opportunity for working from home. Here are a few tips on how to pursue a career as a catalog copywriter.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate
Step1
Read product descriptions from many different sources and styles of catalogs. Study how they are written and what styles they follow. Notice that these descriptions are concise and usually short, while still underscoring a product's main points.
Step2
Write product descriptions using magazines from your home. Rewrite the original product descriptions, improving them as you learn to describe the products. Practice writing shorter and longer versions of each product.
Step3
Test your rewrites on friends and family, allowing them to compare the original and one or two of your rewrites. Ask them which description makes them want to buy the product.
Step4
Contact catalogs which you feel you can write for successfully. Choose a company with products you are interested in; this makes them easier to write about. Call the company to get the correct contact information and address.
Step5
Send a letter describing yourself as a catalog copywriter. Tell the company why you would like to write for their catalog and ask if they would like to see samples of your work. You can do this through e-mail or regular mail.
Step6
Submit samples if they ask. Be prepared. The catalog publisher may ask you to write a sample for one of its products. Write the sample and send it back as soon as possible.
Step7
Search for catalog companies and send your query letters to 10 or 20 companies every week. Catalog copywriters can work for different companies at the same time, a good way to fatten your pay check.

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on 5/14/2008 This was very helpful to me since I am now beginning my career as a catalog writer. I have experience and gusto when it comes to making it as a writer. You can visit me at www.catalogwriter.blogspot.com or email me at catalogwriter@gmail.com -- Garren

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