Copywriter VS. Content Writer. What’s the difference?
And how do you decide which one is right for you?
If I had a dollar for every time someone asked me what does a copywriter actually do or if copywriting is the same thing as copyrighting (heads up it’s not) or how is a content writer different from a copywriter, I could probably retire.
But… I don’t get a dollar. I have learned I need to be able to clearly articulate what I do to help people understand what copywriting means.
Enter the definition of a copywriter:
Copywriting is the pure magic of strategic words to persuade people to take an action for your brand.
How can copywriting help your business?
- Good copywriting creates an emotional response.
We buy based on emotion, then justify it with logic. Harvard Business School professor Gerald Zaltman says:
“95% of our purchasing decisions take place in the subconscious mind.”
When was the last time you bought something, THEN convinced yourself you deserved it?
- Need to attract the right people?
You need copywriting to stand out from the crowd, convince them you understand their challenges, struggles and to position yourself as the person to solve them.
- Trying to sell a product or service?
You need copywriting to convince people it’s worth buying, over the hundreds of other options they have.
These days people don’t just buy from a business – you need copywriting to tell your brand story, your values, your drivers and all the relevant parts of you, your brand and what you do, to stand out from the masses.
What is the difference between copywriting and content writing?
Copywriting and content writing have different goals. While copywriting is all about persuasion, content writing can be used to offer value.
Content writing can be used to educate, inform, entertain and create authority.
Examples of content writing can include:
- Blogs
- Lead magnets
- Ebooks
- Newsletters
- Tutorials
- Articles
- Posts on social media
- Case studies
- White papers (information documents)
So does your business need content writing?
Absolutely. Content marketing is a powerful tool to grow your business.
What is copywriting?
Copy king and SEO extraordinaire Neil Patel says:
“Copywriting is precise, effective, and revolves around creative problem-solving. Ideally, a brand’s copy is driving conversions while creating meaningful experiences for the target audience.”
Copywriting services can include:
- Website pages- home, about, services, landing and sales pages
- Product descriptions
- Micro copy (captions, buttons)
- Paid advertising
- Marketing campaigns and materials
- Sales funnel emails
So does your business need copywriting? Of course.
Being able to put words together in a way that makes sense is one thing. Putting words together in a way that persuades people in an authentic way is strategic and skilful.
Copywriters are forces of nature when it comes to marketing and sales. Investing in the skills of a website copywriter can transform your brand.
Did this help you understand the difference between the two?
Want to understand how developing a content strategy can help grow your business? Read this: https://jodienormanwrites.com/5-reasons-to-develop-a-solid-content-strategy/
