All About Advertising
If you are considering joining the advertising field professionally, there are a few things you should know.
1. It's a Highly Competitive Field
A lot of people think that they will be able to be super creative and come up with new campaigns all the time. This isn't true 90% of the time. But it's the idea and the excitement that lead a lot of people to this field. I can tell you right now that this field is nothing like what's portrayed on Mad Men. If you're looking for a super sexy career path, consider becoming a Kardashian.
2. You Have to Know Where You Fit
There is no "advertising" job. There are many jobs within that umbrella term of "advertising." There are four aspects to advertising: copy, art, client servicing and media buying. Client servicing professionals usually have a background in marketing and are the ones that work closely with the client and the creative team to make sure the ideas stay on track. Media buyers buy space in the media: billboards, TV, newspaper, social media, etc. (usually involves math >_<). I'm a copywriter so I create the copy as well as make sure that existing copy is correct. You have to have a sharp eye for detail, love reading, know the English language (and most of it's rules) incredibly well. And then there's the art team who create the finished products. This usually involves a Creative Director and Graphic Designers.
3. I Know What You're Thinking-OOH GRAPHIC DESIGN!
You're thinking, I'm creative, I could be a graphic designer! Ehhhh...give that some serious thought. I'm an artist and I know Photoshop and InDesign but...graphic design involves meticulously moving elements around pica by pica, knowing your software incredibly well, being familiar with practically every type face and constantly having your work dejected and having to start all over. It is a fun but painstaking career that may even be more competitive than advertising. It is also a very specific field, so it can be more difficult to find jobs. Here, your portfolio is EVERYTHING and you should have a very strong education to back up your skills.
4. Big vs. Small
Once you graduate with your degree in Strategic Communications, or Advertising (which is no small feat) you need to find a job! During this process you will consider big companies (who usually have their own in-house advertising) or a smaller agency. Big companies can offer great benefits, a steady amount of work, solid guidelines and stability. You may be less creative here, but it may be worth it. At small agencies you can get worked like a dog, get paid less, you may have fewer (or no) benefits, and since it's small, they can run it however they want (beware!). You may be able to be more creative at a small agency but not until you establish yourself, are over 30 and have been there for years.
5. Skills You Need
Find out what your strongest skills are. Learn Flash, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Illustrator and take a class in HTML coding. Sharpen your writing skills and if you love numbers and complicated spreadsheets - consider media buying. Become as multifaceted as you can to make yourself more marketable to employers. Above all else, you have to know how to sell YOURSELF. You should have a logo and a website and know exactly where you want to fit within the agency.
1. It's a Highly Competitive Field
A lot of people think that they will be able to be super creative and come up with new campaigns all the time. This isn't true 90% of the time. But it's the idea and the excitement that lead a lot of people to this field. I can tell you right now that this field is nothing like what's portrayed on Mad Men. If you're looking for a super sexy career path, consider becoming a Kardashian.
2. You Have to Know Where You Fit
There is no "advertising" job. There are many jobs within that umbrella term of "advertising." There are four aspects to advertising: copy, art, client servicing and media buying. Client servicing professionals usually have a background in marketing and are the ones that work closely with the client and the creative team to make sure the ideas stay on track. Media buyers buy space in the media: billboards, TV, newspaper, social media, etc. (usually involves math >_<). I'm a copywriter so I create the copy as well as make sure that existing copy is correct. You have to have a sharp eye for detail, love reading, know the English language (and most of it's rules) incredibly well. And then there's the art team who create the finished products. This usually involves a Creative Director and Graphic Designers.
3. I Know What You're Thinking-OOH GRAPHIC DESIGN!
You're thinking, I'm creative, I could be a graphic designer! Ehhhh...give that some serious thought. I'm an artist and I know Photoshop and InDesign but...graphic design involves meticulously moving elements around pica by pica, knowing your software incredibly well, being familiar with practically every type face and constantly having your work dejected and having to start all over. It is a fun but painstaking career that may even be more competitive than advertising. It is also a very specific field, so it can be more difficult to find jobs. Here, your portfolio is EVERYTHING and you should have a very strong education to back up your skills.
4. Big vs. Small
Once you graduate with your degree in Strategic Communications, or Advertising (which is no small feat) you need to find a job! During this process you will consider big companies (who usually have their own in-house advertising) or a smaller agency. Big companies can offer great benefits, a steady amount of work, solid guidelines and stability. You may be less creative here, but it may be worth it. At small agencies you can get worked like a dog, get paid less, you may have fewer (or no) benefits, and since it's small, they can run it however they want (beware!). You may be able to be more creative at a small agency but not until you establish yourself, are over 30 and have been there for years.
5. Skills You Need
Find out what your strongest skills are. Learn Flash, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Illustrator and take a class in HTML coding. Sharpen your writing skills and if you love numbers and complicated spreadsheets - consider media buying. Become as multifaceted as you can to make yourself more marketable to employers. Above all else, you have to know how to sell YOURSELF. You should have a logo and a website and know exactly where you want to fit within the agency.
http://visual.ly/mad-men-comparison-then-and-now
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