📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Freelance Vernac Copywriter
🔹 Company: No Sweat Work Media
🔹 Location: Bryanston, Sandton, Gauteng, South Africa
🔹 Job Type: Freelance, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Advertising & Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: May 28, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site (Hybrid)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Crafting culturally relevant campaigns for South Africa’s LSM 7 core market
- Initial focus on FMCG and media sector clients, with potential extension to additional accounts
- Requires deep cultural insight, strong conceptual ability, and fluency in vernacular South African languages
- Cross-platform campaign development across digital, social media, traditional media, and experiential channels
ASSUMPTION: This role is ideal for a creative and conceptually strong copywriter with a deep understanding of the Black South African market and a strong portfolio demonstrating relevant experience.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Develop culturally relevant campaign ideas that resonate with South Africa’s LSM 7 core market
✅ Conceptualize and execute campaigns across various creative executions, including digital, social media, traditional media, and experiential channels
✅ Collaborate with the team to ensure campaigns are authentic, locally relevant, and have mass-market impact
✅ Maintain a strong grasp of the target market and adapt to changes in trends and consumer behavior
ASSUMPTION: The role may involve working on multiple campaigns simultaneously, requiring strong organizational skills and the ability to manage time effectively.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Relevant degree or diploma in marketing, advertising, or a related field (not specified)
Experience: Minimum 3 years of experience in copywriting, with a portfolio showcasing relevant work
Required Skills:
- Deep cultural insight and understanding of the Black South African market
- Strong conceptual ability and TTL thinking
- Native-level fluency in one or more vernacular South African languages
- Cross-platform campaign development and digital-first mindset
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working on FMCG or media sector clients
- Portfolio demonstrating locally nuanced messaging and mass-market impact
ASSUMPTION: While not explicitly stated, proficiency in English is likely required for this role, given the nature of the work and the target market.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: R52,200 per month before tax (provided)
Benefits: Not specified (assume standard freelance benefits, such as administrative task management)
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week), with flexible hours and the ability to work remotely some days
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for freelance copywriters in South Africa with 2-5 years of experience.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Outsourcing and Offshoring Consulting, focusing on connecting employers with freelance and full-time talent in advertising, design, marketing, media, and PR
Company Size: 2-10 employees (small, agile team)
Founded: 2015, with over 10,000 freelancers and full-timers available on the platform
Company Description:
- No Sweat Work Media simplifies the hiring process by providing a space for direct connections between employers and job seekers
- They manage administrative tasks, allowing employers to focus on their projects
- The platform has facilitated over 3,700 jobs and 590 full-time hires since 2015
Company Specialties:
- Freelance and full-time talent placement in advertising, design, marketing, media, and PR
- Hassle-free management of administrative tasks
Company Website: No Sweat Work Media
ASSUMPTION: Working with No Sweat Work Media may provide opportunities to collaborate with various clients and industries, offering diverse project experiences.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level (2-5 years of experience)
Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to the client or the project manager at No Sweat Work Media
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (on-site and remote work)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential extension of the role to additional accounts based on performance
- Opportunities to work on diverse campaigns across various industries
- Potential full-time employment opportunities with clients
ASSUMPTION: This role offers growth opportunities through exposure to diverse clients and industries, as well as the potential for full-time employment with clients.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (onsite and remote work)
Office Location(s): Bryanston, Sandton, Gauteng, South Africa
Geographic Context:
- Bryanston is an upscale suburb of Johannesburg, known for its commercial and retail hubs
- Sandton is a major financial hub and one of the wealthiest areas in South Africa
- Gauteng is the smallest but most densely populated province in South Africa, with a diverse economy
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week), with flexible hours and the ability to work remotely some days
ASSUMPTION: The work environment is likely dynamic and collaborative, with a mix of on-site and remote work, allowing for a good work-life balance.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Submit your application through the provided link
- Initial screening and portfolio review
- Interview with the No Sweat Work Media team and/or the client
- Decision and offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Cultural insight and understanding of the target market
- Conceptual ability and TTL thinking
- Portfolio quality and relevance
- Communication skills and ability to work collaboratively
Application Tips:
- Tailor your portfolio to showcase your understanding of the Black South African market and your ability to create locally relevant, mass-market campaigns
- Highlight your experience with FMCG or media sector clients, if applicable
- Prepare examples of your work that demonstrate your ability to conceptualize for various creative executions
ATS Keywords: Vernac, Copywriter, Cultural Insight, Conceptual Ability, Cross-Platform Campaign Development, FMCG, Media Sector, LSM 7, Authentic, Locally Relevant, Mass-Market Impact
ASSUMPTION: The application process may involve multiple interviews and portfolio reviews to assess the candidate's cultural insight, conceptual ability, and communication skills.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Not specified (assume industry-standard tools for copywriting, such as Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, or Adobe Creative Suite)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on the client and the project.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Not specified (assume values such as creativity, collaboration, and a strong work ethic)
Work Style:
- Collaborative and dynamic, with a mix of on-site and remote work
- Requires strong communication skills and the ability to work independently
- Adaptable and responsive to changes in trends and consumer behavior
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have a deep understanding of the Black South African market and the ability to translate lived experiences into meaningful, resonant campaign ideas?
- Are you comfortable working in a hybrid environment, balancing on-site and remote work?
- Do you have strong conceptual ability and the ability to conceptualize for various creative executions?
ASSUMPTION: Cultural fit is essential for this role, as it requires a strong understanding of the target market and the ability to create culturally relevant campaigns.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Keeping up with changes in trends and consumer behavior in the target market
- Managing multiple campaigns simultaneously, requiring strong organizational skills
- Adapting to the unique needs and preferences of diverse clients
- Balancing on-site and remote work in a hybrid environment
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome through strong communication, adaptability, and a commitment to staying up-to-date with industry trends.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to other copywriter positions, but with a focus on the Black South African market and a requirement for fluency in vernacular South African languages
- Unlike some roles, this position offers the opportunity to work on diverse campaigns across various industries
- Career progression may involve working with additional clients or transitioning to a full-time role with a client
ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities for growth and exposure to diverse clients and industries.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a campaign for a FMCG client targeting the LSM 7 market, focusing on digital and social media channels
- Creating an integrated campaign for a media sector client, including traditional media and experiential activations
- Adapting an international campaign for the South African market, ensuring cultural relevance and local impact
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the diverse and cross-platform nature of the work, requiring strong conceptual ability and cultural insight.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the overall marketing strategy for the client?
- What are the key challenges facing the client in the target market, and how can this role address them?
- What opportunities are there for growth and professional development in this role?
- How does the hybrid work arrangement support the needs of the client and the team?
- What are the expectations for communication and collaboration in this role?
ASSUMPTION: Asking these questions can help clarify the role's expectations, responsibilities, and opportunities for growth.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your portfolio to showcase your understanding of the Black South African market and your ability to create locally relevant, mass-market campaigns
- Prepare examples of your work that demonstrate your ability to conceptualize for various creative executions
- Follow up with No Sweat Work Media after one week if you haven't heard back
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
