Mid- level writer worried I can’t make enough money in this industry. What are successful pivots people have made? Tech?

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We’ve all been there. The first few years suck. You work the most. You’re paid the least.
It’s not an equal exchange in that regard.
You will compare yourself to friends in other industries. Some will earn more and work less than you. Those that earn less, also work less. When you’re sat there on a Saturday evening writing nonsensical copy for social post #26 on a slide for a pitch that will likely be glazed over come presentation day, it’s easy to think ‘WTF AM I DOING WITH MY LIFE?’

My advice? Stick it out.
Get good. Very good.
Do good work work. Very good work.
Network with brand-side. Headhunters.
This will give you options.
I used to think all that toiling away was in vain.
But as soon as I did good work, headhunters began circling and offers came in. From a variety of sectors. I have more than doubled my compensation in a matter of years.

If you want yacht money, unless you start your own successful creative shop, then advertising will probably top out for around $300k-$350k. This is based on you getting to Group Creative Director. A ceiling for most.

Beyond that in NYC a ECD/CCO can go from $400k-$1M. That’s enough. Trust me.

The bigger question is about your burn. Not your earn. If you want a trophy wife, kids in private school, holiday home, new Mercedes-Benz every year & penthouse; then on aggregate advertising won’t deliver this for you.

It can if you’re entrepreneurial.
Probably loaded with survivorship bias when I say this but a former ad creative founded Liquid Death, it’s now at a $700M valuation.
Our creativity can build real value.

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A great example of how lucrative this business can be is ad superstar, Lee Garfinkel. His starting salary was under 20K, but he advanced very quickly and developed an exceptional reputation for his creative work on Subaru. Ten years later, at age 34 (1989), BBDO hired him (with at least a $200k raise, at somewhere between $350-700k) to be a SVP/SCD on Pepsi. The rest is advertising legend history. I think he retired from FCB Garfinkel, if that gives you any indication. Creativity can build tremendous value. Work hard to be the best at what you do.

Define “enough.”

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CW 2, no I work at a full-service shop in LA doing mostly broadcast.

Consider going client-side or freelance. I went freelance six years ago and will never go back.

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You see the layoffs in tech or you missed all that?

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Lol

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Advertising can be pretty lucrative if you make the right moves. Depending on where you live of course. But to echo a valid question above, what’s “enough?” Do you have a family you have to support? Imo without a separate degree advertising ain’t shabby about pay once you pay your dues. You’re underpaid for the first few years and then once you make senior-acd you start making real money. Then CD and up from what I know people make the money is really good for the most part. Of course there’s tons of variables like where you work, what shops, in house or agency, etc.

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Advertising is one of the most lucrative careers one can choose IMHO. You start low, but can advance incredibly quickly. I had a 250% bump in salary (cumulative) in my first two years. I got a 25% bump after three months - there aren’t many industries where that occurs!

As Jerry Della Femina said, “Advertising provides a comfortable living for a lot of pleasant people who might otherwise be unemployed.”

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I can relate OP. I’m mid-level too. I got a really late start in the business and now have a kid along the way, so the feeling I HAVE to make more money is there. I also live in an insanely priced location.

I went into this business for the long-term game, so I’m just doing my best to trust that as long as I follow the work, bust my ass and make the right moves, it’ll all pay off.

Appreciate everyone’s feedback above.

What market are you in? I’m also in a smaller market?

I left agency and went client-side as a UX content strategist at a fintech company. I got a 50% pay raise, less frantic scrambling, more thoughtfully paced work. Not selling anything, solving user problems. The best decision for me!

How much money do you think would make you comfortable?

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