WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COPYWRITING AND CONTENT WRITING?
There’s a place for both copywriting and content writing in any good marketing strategy. But what’s the difference between the two, and how do you know which one will help you reach your goals? We’ve got the lowdown in this short article.
What is copywriting?
Copywriting is the process of creating persuasive copy with the intention of encouraging readers to take an action, for example, buy a product or sign up to a mailing list. Copywriters, like us at Sell it with Science, are trained to turn browsers into buyers – they’re usually qualified in marketing or psychology, and understand how to use emotion to drive results.
The words you see on adverts, billboards, marketing emails, sales messaging and certain web pages fall into this category. Copywriting generally falls into the shorter-form category, but there are plenty of exceptions to this rule – long-form copy on web landing pages, for example, can be written with persuasion in mind.
What is content writing?
Content writing refers to the process of creating content that engages with an audience, or informs them of something. This could be a blog, a magazine article, or a social media post.
Content writers don’t generally set out to drive sales – instead, the aim is to engage, inspire or inform readers. For this reason, content writers usually work primarily on long-form copy. Their skills include the ability to conduct thorough research and capture attention, and they need to be creative to keep audiences interested.
Which one is best for my business?
Whether you need a copywriter or a content writer depends on your goals. If your number-one priority is to increase your sales, copywriting is the way to go. If, on the other hand, your current focus is on growing your audience, engaging with them and establishing yourself as the go-to expert in your field, then content writing is your best bet.
Most businesses will use a combination of copywriting and content writing to achieve their goals. The two can work in tandem with each other – content driving engagement, and copy driving sales. In fact, it’s often considered best practice to integrate the two. Doing so will help you build good relationships with your readers, while at the same time increasing your sales.
The bottom line
Copywriting focuses on encouraging readers to take action, while content writing aims to educate, inspire or engage them. A good marketing plan should include a combination of the two.
At Sell it with Science, we’re copywriting experts, and we have access to a bank of top-notch content writers, too. So whatever your business’ goals, get in touch with us today and let’s help you reach them!