Moving from Creative Strategist to Copywriter

Hi! I’m Maddy, FUSE Create’s newest Copywriter. You may also know me as a Creative Strategist — or even a Graphic Designer. Throughout my career, I’ve worn many hats, always searching for the one that felt like the perfect fit.

At first, I thought I needed a role that checked every box. But over time, I realized I didn’t want a box at all — I wanted a role where my creative concepts could truly flourish.

My Experience as a Creative Strategist

For the past three years, I’ve worked as a Creative Strategist at FUSE Create. In this role, I had the opportunity to work on a variety of campaigns, touching everything from social media and PR to influencer marketing and brand storytelling.

The term “creative strategy” can mean different things depending on the agency or individual. For me, it meant being a photographer, content creator, copywriter, art director, and strategist — all rolled into one.

It was the ideal role for an advertising student entering the industry, giving me the chance to sharpen a broad range of skills. However, I found myself increasingly drawn to projects that highlighted my love of ideation and writing.

Which led me to wonder: would a role focused solely on creative writing be a better fit?

Making the Switch

The more I reflected on it, the more I realized I had been paving the way for this transition all along. As a Creative Strategist, one of my main responsibilities was helping shape our clients’ tone of voice on social media — determining how they sounded on the feed and how they connected with their followers.

I had the chance to do this for brands like Ricola, Lunch Mate, and Grab’N Snack.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Grab ‘N Snack (@grabnsnackofficial)

My passion for writing and ideation also became recognized across the agency. Different departments started involving me in creative briefs, often acting as a third creative partner alongside the art director and copywriter. It was a win-win: I got to learn from seasoned creatives, and they got a fresh perspective.

Thanks to the mentorship of FUSE’s talented Copywriters (shout-out to Mike and Cristina!), I had the opportunity to write headlines, scripts, and pitch deck write-ups. Each project helped me build the confidence to quiet that inner saboteur and think, “Hey, I can actually do this.”

There were no egos — just support. FUSE gave me both the opportunity and the assurance to fully step into the role of Copywriter.

What I’ve Learned So Far

Now, after eight months of officially being a Copywriter (yes, it’s become a huge part of my personality — Copywriter glasses and a fancy keyboard included), here are some key takeaways for anyone thinking about making a similar title switch:

– Talk to your manager about the types of projects you love — they can help guide your career path.

– Don’t let inexperience hold you back. Just because you haven’t done something yet doesn’t mean you can’t do it. Be patient with yourself.

– You’re not expected to be perfect right away. Learning is part of the process — so take the pressure off.

– Be a sponge. Lean on your mentors and connections, both inside and outside your agency. Learning from those who’ve walked the path before you is invaluable.

– Find an agency that nurtures growth, not perfection. The right environment will encourage you to take risks (and fail sometimes), knowing that’s how you grow.

– Use your transferable skills. They are your foot in the door — so kick it open!

– Every past role adds value. (Yes, even dishwashing skills come in handy when managing a stack of deadlines.)

– Identify the work you love. Look for the common threads across different projects — they’ll help you find your true passion.

As someone who spent a long time trying to find my identity in the industry, I can’t describe how satisfying it feels to finally find the role that just fits — and the “hat” that looks pretty damn good too. 😉