What is copywriting?
I see there’s a lot of confusion between copywriting and content writing.
Many entrepreneurs and even writers use the terms interchangeably, which is not okay.
Whether you’re a writer or an entrepreneur wanting to hire a copywriter or content writer, you must know the difference.
And this is exactly what we will be discussing in this post. In the end, I’ll also help you decide whom you should hire- a copywriter or a content writer.
What is the difference between Copywriting and Content? Let’s understand with a Small Story
Let’s think about a situation where your brother has a crush on your best friend, and now you’re helping your brother communicate the same to your friend.
Think about what you would do in such a situation? Straight away going ahead and telling her that your brother likes you, may get your brother a rejection (that you don’t want).
A good strategy would be to talk to your friend about your brother. Start talking about him first, his qualities, behaviors, and what makes him so different.
This part of the story where you’re educating your friend about your brother is content writing.
Defining Copywriting and Content Writing
Defining Content Writing
By definition, content writing is planning and writing to educate and inform the audience to establish your authority, improve your brand awareness and SEO.
Coming back to the story, once your friend is aware of who he is, and shows some interest in knowing more, In the next phase, you can ask her to take a micro action – may be visiting your brother’s social media profile or come over the call to say hi.
This part of the story where you’re convincing her to take action is copywriting.
Defining Copywriting
Copywriting is a form of writing that aims to persuade the reader to take a specific action. It could be small or big. Sometimes that’s making a purchase, but it can also be subscribing to your email list or calling you for more information.
2- Copywriting Examples and Content Writing Examples
Content writing is a form of writing that is intended to educate or inform. Therefore, content writing examples are blog posts, videos, infographics, ebooks, reports, and podcasts.
For example, below is an example of a how-to blog post that aims at educating the audience on creating a persuasive About Page.
On the other hand, copy examples would be Ads, Emails, landing pages, sales pages, website copy, webinar scripts, video sales letters. For example, below is an example of a sales page that prompts the reader to get instant access to the About Page Template and Training.
3- What exactly does a copywriter do?
You can say that content writing is for the top two parts of the funnel- attracting traffic and engaging the audience.
A content writer’s job is to write on the topics that your audience must know. For example, if you’re a business selling health supplements, you need articles on the benefits of using supplements, how to choose the best one, what mistakes they should avoid, etc.
Your content primes your audience and is a pre-selling step. In short, These assets help you warm up your audience, understand the need for your product and make them aware of your solution.
On the other hand, Copywriting is for the third and last part of the funnel- conversions.
A copywriter’s job is to write a clear and compelling copy to sell products.
Writing copy needs a deep deep understanding of what your audience actually wants and why. A good copywriter knows his prospect’s motivating factors, pain points. And what it means to live with those problems.
Copywriting uses psychology, emotional triggers, and degrees of influence to make her point compelling and convincing.
With this, I hope you have a fair understanding of what is the difference between copywriting and content writing.
Whom should you hire?
So, if you’re an entrepreneur thinking about whom you should hire, I must say that copywriting and content writing both are equally important for a business. They work together very closely to grow your business.
If you’re working with content writers churning out post after post, you may have good traffic and superb engagement, but what’s the use if that traffic is not converting into subscribers and subscribers are not turning into customers?
You need copywriting services to make them take action.
It’s like asking which is more important- the front wheel or the hind wheel? Well, both, if you want to ride the bike!
Very interesting article on Copy and Content writing. Why can’t be single person or act who can take care of both copy writing and content writing? May be I am a layman asking this question Shweta. I see the results will be enormous when both activities combined together by a single person and hope it will be more objective as per customer point of view.
Super awesome experience while going through your blog. I couldn’t put myself out from reading it till it comes to an end.