How Writing for Comma Helps Me Get Ahead in My Career (Emily's Story)
Storytelling is one of the most vibrant skills a marketer can have in their arsenal. The ability to tell a brand’s story separates the best, most successful marketing campaigns from the duds and the unremarkable. Compelling stories cut through the noise, speak to people, and do the hard work of persuasion. Technical skills can be learned, platforms come and go, but the core of any business is understanding their story.
As a writer, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut writing the same things day after day. Marketers fall into this trap, too. I started working at Comma to build my freelance writing business, but I stayed because of all of the benefits it offered me in my career that I couldn’t have possibly imagined.
Content Writing is the Ultimate Soft Skill
Organizations value good communicators and writers now more than ever. My English Literature degree that scared my parents for its supposed impracticality — there aren’t very many reading firms, after all — has morphed into one of my most valuable assets. Even when my chosen positions aren’t copywriting or content creation and management, I find a way to leverage my writing skills to improve my work.
I know that I can always pitch in to get a batch of emails ready to go quickly. I can spin up landing page copy and write a persuasive pitch. Writing proposals or business requirements that are clear, concise, and get the job done becomes simple because I’ve kept those writing skills sharp.
Even when I’m not writing, my editing eye helps me notice mistakes before they go to press. I can refine my colleagues' writing and be a second set of eyes to make a piece of content that much more compelling.
Writing for Comma Copywriters keeps me writing with a frequency that I wouldn’t otherwise sustain. I also have access to equally talented writers who check my work and guide me.
All the Creative Outlets Without the Burnout
Beyond just writing skills, Comma Copywriters gives me the same kind of exposure to different industries and organizations that I might encounter at an agency, without the same pressure to deliver a lot of content. Writing is a creative endeavor, and any artist knows that it takes time and a mental toll.
As a writer for Comma, I have the flexibility to take on only the amount of writing that fits my business goals, and I can choose the assignments that interest me most. As a result, I’ve had the opportunity to write for industries and organizations that align with the marketing work I do every day, while also branching out into brand new industries and technologies. And, most importantly, I don’t feel burned out by my workload or expectations. I set the schedule and then do what I do best: write.
Small Talk is a Breeze (Even as an Introvert)
The thing that excites me most about my work with Comma is that whether I’m applying for a new job or just starting small talk at a networking event, I feel better prepared to discuss new topics. I’ve gleaned information from client work and honed my interview skills. Even though I don’t have expertise in every industry, I can ask good questions and contribute interesting ideas to almost any conversation.
This networking skill is like a life hack for me as an introvert. The faster I can get into an interesting conversation, the more comfortable I feel. When I start a conversation with someone and ask about their career, current job role, or even interests, I can quickly identify things we might have in common or things I’ve read and written about in their industry. Once that spark happens, it’s easy to ignite a more meaningful conversation and feel engaged.
What I do at Comma Copywriters every day broadens my interests and skillset and enables me to tell more compelling brand stories. After years of work at Comma, my previous experience is always in the back of my mind as I write for a new client. I can connect the dots and bring in connections that wouldn’t be possible without the breadth of work I’ve researched prior. All of this makes me more versatile as a marketer and ready to lead at any organization I end up at next.
BIO
Emily is a marketing manager, writer, and cat enthusiast. In her spare time, she educates people on how to communicate more effectively with their representatives.
Are you interested in joining Team Comma? Check out our Comma careers page. We are always looking for top-tier content writers and would love to chat!