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Copywriting vs Content Writing: Same or Different?

Date published: October 01, 2019
Last updated: October 1, 2019

You've probably heard the terms of copywriting and content writing. But, are they the same or are there some differences between the two terms?

You will be inclined to think that they're pretty much the same. At least, they both write content for their clients, so is there any real difference? Both copywriters and content writers write words on a specific topic and their content is used both online and offline. So, are these just some fancy names for the same job?

Well, no. In fact, copywriting and content writing are different. Although there are a lot of similarities between them, there are also differences. Think about them as two brothers. They have the same parents, so they share 50% of their DNA. For sure they are similar in many ways, but they also have different tastes and perspectives.

So, what’s the deal with content writing and copywriting?

What Is Copywriting?

Copywriting is the art of writing for marketing purposes. The product of copywriters is called copy, so here comes the name. Their goal is to increase brand awareness through short and engaging pieces of text.

Their texts are published mostly on social media, but they are also able to write attractive headlines, magazine advertisements or radio scripts. They are quite versatile and can help you create a strong online presence.

What Is Content Writing?

Content writing is the art of writing specialized content. The kind of content that convinces you to buy the product and to choose one brand over another. Content writers create articles, blog posts, and even eBooks. They document thoroughly and submit a rich and well-written piece of writing.

Their content is search engine optimized and shares the information in a user-friendly way.

What Are the Real Differences?

You may start to form an idea of the differences between copywriting and content writing. But because their work is interconnected, there are some key points to remember.

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The Length of The Writings

As I stated before, one of the key differences between copywriters and content writers is the length of their writings. On one hand, copywriters are specialized in short content that can increase brand awareness. Simply put, they create those headlines that grab your attention instantly.

On the other hand, content writers create articles or blog posts that increase customer engagements. They write well-researched content that considerably improves your image as a brand.

Firstly, because it posits you as a trustworthy brand which gives relevant information about your products. Secondly, because in the long term it can turn your visitors into customers.

The Reason Behind the Writings

The second most significant difference between the two types of writings is their primary goal. Copywriters write engaging texts for a simple reason: to generate sales. Of course, their content must be used in the appropriate settings.

In contrast, content writers have the goal of increasing engagement of your audience through long and informative pieces of content. These can be about your products or your brand.

Simply put, copywriters channel their forces mostly for short-term goals, while content writers have more long-term goals.

What Are They Meant For?

Shortly put, content writing is meant for marketing whereas copywriting is meant for branding. All those blog posts or articles help your visitors get familiar with the brand and to find out more about it, the domain and its initiatives.

In the long run, it helps your audience to deeply connect with you. Content writing done right can turn your visitors into constant buyers. It also helps your audience understand your brand better and educate them about different topics.

Whereas content writing aims at generating ideas, copywriting aims at selling ideas. Copywriting is about creating brand pitches that attract new visitors. It has the power of persuading people by using more emotional content that they can relate to.

Although in the past copywriters were mostly used for advertisements, nowadays more and more websites turn to copywriters for help. SEO copywriters can target specific key phrases used by most of your audience to increase the traffic on your website.

Can Content Writing and Copywriting Be Found Together?

Of course! Although there are some clear differences between them, for sure they are interconnected. In fact, if you want to start an online business you need both copywriters and content writers. A content writer will create SEO content for your blog or website, educating people about your brand. A copywriter will create SEO pitches that attract new visitors.

So, you can see content writing and copywriting as a whole. Imagine a coin. It might seem just a simple coin with no special purpose than helping you buy things that fulfill your needs. But it’s helpful.

Now, content writing and copywriting are the same coin. Let’s say content writing is head side and copywriting is tail side. Even if they are different in many aspects, like the length of the content and what they aim for, they work together for a greater goal: creating a strong and successful business identity.

Marketing and brand awareness go great together if you want to create a brand. They both aim at increasing brand awareness and attracting and educating new visitors or buyers.

In the future, we may be able to see a deeper interconnectedness between the two types of writings. One does not exclude the other, but work together for the same goal: making your brand known, trustworthy and the first option of people.

What to Keep in Mind?

What are the main points to keep in mind? Remember that although both content writing and copywriting represent the art of writing, there are also some differences among them. If we take into consideration the length of the content, copywriters create short content, while content writers write long content. A copy is the product of a copywriter so it aims at selling an idea.

A content writer aims at educating the people that follow your brand and generating ideas. Although copywriters were mostly used in advertising agencies in the past, the online community notices the need for online engagement and interaction. More and more copywriters work with many websites and create emotion-evoking posts that appeal to their audience.

Both copywriters and content writers can create SEO content that will attract more visitors. Although it is content writing which keeps customers loyal by providing insights into the industry and more information about the brand and the product, copywriting and content writing go perfectly together.

If you combine them, the results can turn out to be the best for your brand.

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