There are a lot of buzzwords in the digital marketing world that may be hard for business owners to understand. Content writing and copywriting are probably two terms you’ve heard before.
But while they sound like they mean the same thing, there are several key differences.
Depending on your project, you may need one or the other. Let’s take a few minutes and talk about what each of these terms mean and what sets them apart.
Spoiler alert: At Colwell Creative Content, Inc., we offer both.
What is Content Writing?
Content writing is about search engine optimization, educating your readers, and building relationships with your audience.
Blog posts are excellent examples of content writing. They position you as the authority in your field, help with your organic SEO, and provide value to the people who visit your site.
What is Copywriting?
Copywriting is all about getting people to respond to what is written. When done well, copy should inspire people to take a desired action, like:
Filling out a contact form.
Calling a phone number.
Purchasing a product.
There are a few other differences too.
Copy is typically shorter than content. It packs a punch with fewer words.
It also tends to have a shorter “lifespan” than content because it’s often used during a specific campaign or to reach a certain goal.
Types of Content
According to Forbes, if you’re interested in working with a content writer, you probably want someone with experience writing:
Blog posts
White papers
Email newsletters
E-books
Case studies
News articles
Evergreen articles
Social media posts
Types of Copy
Also according to Forbes, if copy is what you’re looking for, you want a writer with experience in creating:
PPC landing pages and ads
Product pages
Website sales copy
Sales emails
SMS ads
Social media ads
Content Writing vs. Copywriting: 5 Important Differences
When you’re considering your next project, here are some important distinctions between copywriting and content writing to keep in mind:
1. Content Writers Inform and Copywriters Sell
While both content and copy sell, copywriting is more about selling right now as opposed to down the road.
2. Copywriters Inspire Urgency and Content Writers Inspire Engagement
Your copy should cause people to take immediate action. But your content is different because it should keep people coming back to your site to learn more.
You may not be able to measure quick ROIs when you have content writers. That’s because what they do is designed to build trust long-term. But your copywriters should give you quick results.
3. Content Builds Trust and Copy Converts Customers
When your content is written correctly, your audience should grow to have increasingly more trust in your brand. Once that trust is built, copy is what turns those visitors into customers.
With this difference in mind, any marketing strategy must include both content and copy. Otherwise, your website probably won’t result in more sales and profits for your business.
4. Content Writers are SEO Experts and Copywriters have SEO Knowledge
Not all writers understand what SEO is or even how to implement it in what they write. Content writers should be experts in this area, and while copywriters might not be experts, they still should have basic SEO understanding.
5. Copywriters Write Short-Form Pieces and Content Writers Write Long-Form Pieces
This one is self-explanatory. Lots of words typically means you need a content writer. Fewer words - copywriter.
Do You Need a Copywriter or a Content Writer?
That’s a fantastic question, but it’s not one we can answer in this blog post.
The best course of action is to contact us to discuss your marketing needs. We’re likely to tell you that a well-rounded plan includes both, but it really all depends on what your goals are for your business and website.
Your business deserves personalized attention, and it helps to know you’re talking with experts who will look at your business model and advise you based on what will work in your industry.
Need help with content writing or copywriting? Contact us today and Let’s Grow Your Business Together!