Copywriters Code of Ethics

PREAMBLE:

Professional Copywriters posess the ability to impact their clients and the world around them through the use of the written word. To this end, it is essential that copywriters hold to the highest standard of ethics that engenders the trust and respect of the people they serve and the copywriting community as a whole.

ARTICLE I: PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

Copywriters shall ...

Act in a responsible and professional manner in all professional endeavors.
Undertake only work that is within their professional competency, and ensure that the highest standards of ethics are applied to the writing process to include proper attribution and credit, representing only their work as their own.
Maintain their skills through a continuous learning process.
Work for their clients and with their peers in a professional and dignified manner.
Weight their actions against the Copywriters Code of Ethics, support its aims and encourage those who work with/for them to do the same.
Support the copywriting community through participation in activities that benefit the copywriting community as a whole.
Comply with the laws of the municipal and federal authorities in which their work is being performed.

ARTICLE II: THE WORK OF THE COPYWRITER

Copywriters shall ...

Lead their professional engagements in a manner that maximizes productivity and minimizes wasteful spending.
Ensure that current tools, techniques and technologies are used in order to maximize efficiency.
Treat all colleagues with respect.
Protect their colleagues from physical or emotional harm.
Foster a healthy and professional work environment.
Be willing to offer and receive professional criticism for the sake of continuous improvement.
Actively mentor others in the profession in order to foster a community of continuous improvement.

ARTICLE III: EMPLOYER AND CLIENT RELATIONS

Copywriters shall ...

Act in the best interest of their employers and clients in all matters of business.
Respect the confidentiality and privacy of both the business and individuals with whom they work.
Notify all individuals and organizations of possible conflicts of interest that might prevent the copywriter from acting in an impartial and unbiased manner.
Ensure that all compensation for services performed is fairly calculated based upon the value offered to the business or client.

ARTICLE IV: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Copywriters shall ...

Ensure that no action taken in pursuit of professional goals stands in conflict with what would be commonly accepted as in the public interest.
Represent the copywriting profession in a dignified and honorable manner.

The Copywriters Code of Ethics was adapted for our use from the framework of the Project Management Institute's 1988 Project Managers Code of Ethics (ISSN: 1930-4390).