The Difference Between Content Writing and Copywriting

When writing words for your creative online business, there are two ways you can approach your blank screen. Both options boil down to your intent. What do you intend to do with the words you are about to write (or are hiring someone to write)? 

Basically, what I am saying is that you need to decide whether you need to write content or whether you need to write copy. Wait, Becca, what’s the difference between content writing and copywriting?

I’ll break it down for you. 

What Is Content Writing

When you write content, there is less pressure related to getting a return on your investment. You still want to have SEO best practices in mind, but you’re writing for your people first by providing them with enjoyable, connective, and informative content that adds value to their life. 

The intention of writing content is to inform or delight your audience. 

Content writing includes materials like:

• Blog posts

• Information web pages (About Pages, for example)

• Social Posts (but NOT ads)

• Email Newsletters

• Email Autoresponders

• Infographics

• Podcasts

• Articles

What Is Copywriting

Writing copy involves formulas, psychology, attention to detail, and creative thinking (arguably, content writing should also involve these elements too). A copywriter is writing words that convince people to take action, like buying a product, service, course, or any type of offer.

Copywriters use words to market an offer. This takes a learned and practiced skill set to perfect and execute. You won’t see copywriters throwing random words on a Google doc, at least not the good copywriters.  

To write compelling copy that converts, you need to think about things like eye-catching headlines (with words and with design), showing the benefits of your offer, building up that know-like-trust factor, leveraging social proof, and having a clear Call To Action (CTA).

The intention of copywriting is to sell or urge your audience to take a specific action.

And you can’t sell products with random words picked out of a Scrabble bag.

Copywriting includes materials like:

• Landing Pages

• Sales Pages

• Campaign emails

• Social Campaign texts

• Advertisements (like Facebook Ads)

Does this mean you need to hire a content writer AND a copywriter?

NO!

A good copywriter should be able to combine the rapport-building aspects of content with the sales tactics of copywriting to produce a deliverable that gives you the best of both worlds. 

Your blog post can be informative while also urging your audience to take a specific action. 

Take this blog post, for example. I’ve just given you the difference between a content writer and a copywriter — which should indicate that I know my shit. 

I can also point you in the direction of my social proof (of which there is A LOT). Then end the blog post with a call for you to take action by sending me a message to learn how I can write your copy — so you never have to worry about that blinking-cursor-on-a-blank-screen problem again!

Do you need help with your content AND your copy? Click here to learn how we can work together to uplevel your business through your messaging!

Or take the Website Copy Quiz to see what copy your business should have!