WHEN 8 weeks, Wednesdays, September 3 - October 29, 6:45-9:45 pm LEVEL Intro WHERE New York (Downtown) FREE AVANTGUILD MEMBERSHIP Enroll in this class by August 31 and join AvantGuild for free. Click here for details. PRICE $499 ($475 for ) more info

Course Details

 Learn how to craft sparkling, effective ad copy and approach writing from a copywriter's unique perspective as you take part in creative exercises and practical, hands-on learning. Once you learn the basic concepts and structures of writing a print ad, your copywriting will easily translate into various media. Add creative inspiration and a love for trends and brand indentity, and you're on your way to forging breakthrough ads. In this introduction to copywriting, you'll learn the art of creating concepts and headlines for both short, headline-focused ads as well as long copy (brochures, web etc.).

In this class, your talents will be nurtured as you learn the essentials. This course is open to anyone with an interest in advertising, including students, professionals, writers, and designers. No previous advertising experience is required. If you're already working as a writer or copywriter, you'll refresh your experience, learn from a new perspective, and practice creative assignments.

In this class you will learn:

• How to write benefit-driven, creative headlines and body copy for a range of industries
• How to practice writing for various advertising media: print, collateral such as brochures, web, outdoor, and direct mail
• The varying skills needed to write brief, punchy ads and long copy (brochures, web)
• How to write, as well as work from, a creative brief
• How copywriting works with graphics and photos to make a complete ad
• Ways to jumpstart your ad portfolio and start looking for jobs

This class will mimic how projects are assigned in an ad agency and will focus on building a varied, impressive portfolio. Each week you will be required to write ads according to the creative brief, which you will share for feedback. Class time will consist of work review, instruction, and brainstorming exercises. Assignments also include reading magazines and journals. You can expect 3-5 hours of homework time each week.

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Instructor Bio

Kim Taylor's Courses

Kim Taylor has been a freelance copywriter and product namer for Landor/Young and Rubicam for more than a decade. She has also worked for Salt, BCA, Meyer Associates NY and Time Inc.'s Strategic Communications division. She has an M.A. in media studies from the New School, and writes for a variety of web sites and periodicals.

Testimonials

Before taking this course I knew nothing about copywriting; now I know how to take an idea and turn it into a great ad. -- Latrice Harris

"Kim is very enthusiastic and knowledgeable in her field, and extremely supportive as an instructor. I gained exposure to many different types of copywriting and walked away with some great samples for my portfolio." -- Liz Levy

"Kim was well-versed in copywriting and she chose great exercises for us to work on. Her critiques were very helpful and she made the class challenging and enjoyable." -- Eileen Mullarkey

"The class exceeded my expectations and has made me confident and enthusiastic going forward in a career in copywriting." -- Jaime Fernandez