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Hi All,
I have joined cognizant yesterday. I came to know that office location is bantala in Kolkata. I do not want to work in bantala location. I have talked with my recruiter. But hs said offer location is decided on project allocation. How can I change the location to other location? If I leave the job will it be any problem?
Cognizant
$DPZ 370c 3/27
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Copywriting is half writing, half selling. Public speaking and presenting things in an engaging way is as much part of the job as the writing part. Lots of great advice here, just want to disabuse you of the notion that your responsibility is just to “copywrite.”
After a while you eventually build up the scar tissue. If you were terrified of dogs but somebody forced you to pet one for fifteen minutes once a week, after a few years you probably won’t be as terrified of dogs as much as before.
Your copywriting is just words if you can’t bring it to life for the people who need to support it and pay for it to see the light of day. You’re terrified because you think you have to sell your idea; you don’t. You’re a writer, you tell stories. So tell the story of how you came up with your idea. People who don’t do what you do find that fascinating.
No easy answer here. All I can say is that it will just take practice. I’ve found, like a lot of things in life that feel scary, forcing yourself to do it will always make it easier.
I was painfully shy growing up! Hated public speaking. Working retail for years helped me with that. And now, working in advertising for years, has helped even more.
Selling your ideas is half the battle. So, you’re gonna need to get good at it in order to succeed — especially if you want to become a Creative Director.
So just keep going. Embrace that sometimes presenting your work can feel intimidating. But it will get easier. And, honestly, once you start getting good at it, there’s no better feeling than presenting your work with confidence and passion and selling it through. I still get nervous sometimes, but mostly enjoy the spotlight.
Good luck!
Join toastmasters
This is a hack answer but take an improv class or try stand up. Great exposure therapy when it comes to being the center of attention in a room w an audience.
Oh, I feel this deep in my soul. I’ve been doing this for almost 10 years, in two languages, and public speaking still makes me sweat. I don’t think that feeling ever fully disappears, but here’s what helps:
Speaker notes and practice. Build your deck, but also write speaker notes in a way that feels like you just explaining the project to a friend. Then run through it—alone, with a buddy, in front of your dog, whatever works.
And let’s be real: copywriting isn’t just writing. You’re constantly selling ideas—to clients, to your own team, sometimes even to yourself. The words don’t live on a slide; they live in the way you bring them to life.
Even people who are naturally good at public speaking still prepare. So, channel that storytelling energy you already have as a writer, and just… talk. You know this better than anyone in the room.
And if all else fails? Fake confidence till it sticks. Works every time.
I'm in the same @junior copywriter. I'm a strong writer, but I'm also an introvert. Public speaking, even in internals, is the bane of my existence. After 10 years, I've just learned to bite the bullet, but it is a daily exercise in dread.
I'll second all the advice saying toastmasters or improv.
For me, it was a college acting class that supercharged my presentation skills. Not necessarily because I got good at it. I actually fucked up a lot. Kids in the back used to stifle laughter during some of my scenes.
Yes, it was embarrassing. It's probably everyone's biggest fear in a class like that. Funny thing is, that's what helped me the most.
Screwing up. Being vulnerable. Embarrassing yourself. Lean in to the one thing you're trying to avoid and come out on the other end with the realization that your life isn't over. You'll be amazed at how much more relaxed and confident you become.
If it makes you feel any better, I would say (and I get feedback) that I’m a good and very experienced presenter. But I am more of a technical, healthcare copywriter. If I had to present a creative idea I would find that really hard and I’d also be bricking it!
Fundamentally, when you present creative ideas you’re making yourself really vulnerable - presenting an idea opens you up to criticism and feedback on something really personal. I’d say it’s completely normal and valid to feel the way you do.
In my mind I try and separate my self-worth from my work where I can. If something doesn’t land that doesn’t mean it’s wrong - and if it is then it’s probably because there’s been a big miscommunication somewhere during the brief. At the end of the day you are a team with your agency and colleagues - nothing falls squarely on your shoulders alone.
Do you have a manager or a mentor who could back you up in meetings while you build confidence? I find having a scenario plan for if things go crazy in a meeting can also help too - have a think about what feedback might come up and how you can address it (and who is best placed to address it!). Practice and preparation can go really far in helping you feel more in control.
As a Junior Writer, I will tell you right now--it's really cool if your team is allowing you to speak directly with the client right now. What a great opportunity! This opportunity will make you more competitive than some of the senior writers out there! I always like to get my questions ready and sometime get a quick deck together (Canva and Figma have VERY EASY templates for this) . Have fun with it! That is the beauty of our industry
Keep doing it, keep putting yourself in the discomfort. One day, you'll realize it isn't as bad as you think it is and it will slowly start becoming your comfort zone.
I had the same issue, having mini panic attacks before any time I have to present, and getting a feeling of dread when I see a meeting scheduled where I would have to present. And what’s weird is that it didn’t used to affect me until a few years ago, and recently I’d just get nervous about getting nervous.
What totally works for me is taking beta blockers, total game changer. You can get them prescribed online pretty easily from Kick or Hims.
Anyway, I’d try the other advice people are sharing in this thread first (like I did), but if that doesn’t work, beta blockers are a solid backup.
I am trying to rebuild my career and change my path a bit. Public speaking can be a big challenge, but it's also a skill that improves with practice and the right mindset. As I haven't practiced public speaking before, I am a bit scary as you, too. I am feeling better writing but fear is motivating so maybe we will be able to overcome it and feel at ease one day.