Rose Said:

How do I go about advertising myself as a ghost writer?

We Answered:

rattle some chains, clank some pans, just keep making noise

Bonnie Said:

Is it a good step to get into advertising?

We Answered:

"Get into advertising" is a broad statement. Based on reading your background, I assume that you're looking for a position in advertising that will enable you to utilize your writing experience in some way? If that is the case, you could work for an advertising agency, a company's in-house marketing department, or a media/publishing company that sells advertising.

Do you want to be on the sales side? Good writing skills can go a long way towards success in sales ... a successful career in ad sales can be lucrative.

Re: how to transition: First, read read read. Choose the direction that you think you want to go within advertising. Try and find people that work in the advertising business and pick their brains. Let's say you land a job that's a match with your search. You'll either like it, or not like it, but you will at least gain visibility into the advertising industry and learn of other positions within advertising that you think you'd like.

Good luck.

Linda Said:

Production Writer - need an idea of what this is?

We Answered:

Technical and.or production writers are usually writing in an industrial and/or business capacity. Document writing, manual writing, help guides, standard operating procedures. The job is to write technical content in a way that is clear and precise, and that the average user/employee (or whoever the audience is) can understand. (also known as subject matter experts)

Good luck.

Frances Said:

How does one break into advertising?

We Answered:

Did you take any Advertising classes when in college? If not, and this is something you seriously want to pursue, I'd consider a Masters in Advertising. I doubt any legit agency would want you in the door if you don't have a good few courses under your belt. I'll explain why.

There are courses that teach you how to write copy (trust me, this is a VERY different style and flow from other types of writing). There are courses that teach you how to create storyboards for an ad campaign and how to present and sell that campaign to clients, there are courses that teach you how to design professional layouts, how to fit the copy in in a way that will attract the eye and encourage reading vs looking busy. Those are the major ones.

Unless you know someone in the biz, and maybe even then, it takes more than just raw talent. Each year thousands of very talented Advertising majors with all this training graduate and are looking for jobs. You will need to compete against them. Who do you think an agency will hire?? Someone who can walk in and be prepared to professionally work or someone with good raw talent???

And keep in mind, the work you do in those classes make for the basis of a portfolio, which is what they will want to see if you get said foot in door. Also they often help you with alumni contacts, various career boards, etc.

I truthfully can't see getting in an established shop that does good work without this training first. Wish you posted earlier in your studies. But if this is something you really want to do, hope you find a way to go back and learn some of this.

Keep in mind it is a field where many folks are fighting for a few good jobs, and most of them are truly driven and hungry to do this. So also you might want to consider if you are looking at this because you have that drive, or just because it's a random thought that sounded not so bad.

Best of luck with whatever you do!

Darrell Said:

How Do I get a Job in NY/ NJ for advertising? Espeically, on the creative end/copy writer?

We Answered:

You could try working from home. Many companies like Manuscript Services,Associated Content,Constant content pay for writing articles,poems,proofreading and copywriting. A good writer can earn more than US$30 per hour.You have to directly apply online and the companies websites are listed at http://tinyurl.com/qrnfe