Charles Austin Bates

(1866-?)

Copywriter/Entrepreneur, New York

On learning copywriters could earn as much as $10,000 a year, this brash print-shop owner from Indianapolis placed copywriter-for-hire ads in Printer's Ink, attracted clients, moved to New York and began earning $20,000 a year as a copywriter and PI columnist. His copy credo: Show price; use simple English; never overestimate the consumer's IQ; be truthful. At his agency, he set up one of the first art departments. Eventually, Bates became his own client as he marketed his own patent medicine.