Companies often hire either a copywriter or a content writing service when they need written material. These authors concentrate on producing marketing content for corporations. Its business can choose which of the two responsibilities it needs for your written content by understanding the distinctions between the two. In this article, we contrast copywriting with content writing and provide advice on how to choose between the two.
What is copywriting?
The development of content for one particular company’s marketing or advertising is known as copywriting. It seeks to increase audience awareness of the company and influence them to make a decision, like buying something. Copywriters do this by making their content engaging and memorable. By organizing a product’s qualities in the greatest light possible through creative idea brainstorming, copywriting draws attention to its benefits. ‘Writing is a lifelong activity; it is not a one-day event’ (PES, 2019).
A few types of copywriting are:
- Brochures
- Billboards
- Email campaigns
- Landing pages
- Magazine advertisements
- Press releases
- Radio scripts
- Sales emails
- Social media posts
- Taglines
Tasks A Copywriter Is Responsible For
An advertising copywriter’s typical tasks include:
- Copywriting with the brand’s voice and style in mind
- collaborating on marketing campaigns with the public relations team and other experts
- ensuring correctness by editing and revising the text
- Discussing with stakeholders to ascertain their needs and requirements for content
What is content writing?
The creation of written resources for educational purposes is known as content writing. These experts use search engine optimization to create website traffic (SEO). With the use of compelling language and pertinent material, content writers also strive to improve client interaction. They produce specialized content for websites and other online publications. To provide readers with the information they need to properly comprehend a topic and give it credibility, content writers frequently conduct research on their subjects during the writing process.
A few types of copywriting are:
- Blogs
- E-books
- Email newsletters
- How-to guides
- Magazine features
- Newspaper articles
- Webpages
Obligations Of A Content Writer
The following are some typical duties performed by content writers:
- researching subjects connected to the sector to provide content
- editing and proofreading material to make it easier for viewers to read
- combining keyword research and SEO techniques to increase web traffic to the business’s website
- creating catchy headlines to draw readers
- completing projects by the set due date
Copywriting vs. content writing
Both copywriters and content writers create words for businesses, but their writing goals are different. The following are some distinctions between content and copywriting:
Overall Purpose
While a content writer provides information to enlighten readers, a copywriter writes content to persuade readers. Copywriters end their work with a call to action since they are attempting to market a good or service. The more covert objective of content creators is to promote brand loyalty through the creation of informative and entertaining articles.
Size of the content
A content writer typically writes long-form content, while a copywriter typically writes short-form. To keep readers interested, copywriters keep their writing succinct. However, content writers frequently go into greater detail when describing a procedure or subject.
Part of a job in a company
A copywriter is a specialist whose main responsibility is to compose copy. Content writers frequently perform tasks besides writing. They could be a writer, blogger, manager, software developer, or other people.
Tone of voice
Copywriters informally speak to their audience. The tone of content writers is frequently more formal since they provide more information.
Deadlines
To fulfill the demands of their clients, copywriters adhere to rigid deadlines. Due to the lengthier content that copywriters produce, their deadlines are frequently more lenient to allow for time for research.
Environment At Work
Copywriters frequently work for an advertising firm that handles client marketing. Content writers are employed by a wide range of businesses in different sectors. While content writers use the third party, copywriters frequently deal directly with businesses.
Writing Skills For Content And Copy
Copywriting skills
To become a great copywriter, you need to work on the following abilities:
- Expertise in producing content for numerous industries: Since copywriters work in a range of fields, such as healthcare or technology, it is advantageous to have experience writing for a variety of businesses.
- Empathy: Copywriters are empathic in their writing to make their readers feel good to attract users.
- Team player: Being a team player and getting along with people is beneficial for copywriters because they collaborate closely with marketing teams.
Content writer skills
The following are abilities content writers need to succeed:
- Knowledge of SEO: Content writers utilize SEO and keywords to guide readers to a business’s website to increase traffic.
- Research abilities: Content writers undertake research from various sources to support their assertions and facts to produce informative material.
- Writing headlines: Content writers craft enticing headlines that encourage readers to click through to their articles to draw in readers.
Copywriter and content writer skills
Being a successful copywriter and content writer requires the following abilities:
- Time management: Both copywriters and content writers manage many tasks at once while adhering to deadlines established by their clients.
- Creativity: When creating unique material for the businesses they serve to captivate readers, copywriters and content writers are creative.
- Storytelling skills: In both jobs, the goal is to make a lasting impression on the audience by delivering a compelling story.
- Understanding their audiences: To generate content that satisfies the needs of their readers, copywriters and content writers keep in mind and give attention to their audiences.
Copywriters convert organic traffic into leads after being driven by content writers.
The distinctions between a copywriter and a content writer are summed up in this final statement. Copywriters generate organic traffic and convert that visitor into leads or sales.
Keys & Copy CEO Jessica Foster argues that although there may be some overlap, it is rarely if ever, 100% (Alburger, 2022).
While SEO professionals and business owners would dearly love to have content that is created to draw organic traffic and have a high conversion rate, the truth is that SEO material is greatest at driving traffic and sales copy is best at selling, according to Foster.