The copywriting or Content Writing debate is more relevant now than ever.
Businesses are struggling to stand out in a crowded market where the right words matter.
In fact brands around the world publish different types of content on various social media platforms.
But the problem arises when we try to differentiate between copywriting and content writing.
What is the difference between Copywriting and content writing?
The terms content writing and copywriting are used interchangeably. But they are two different art forms in marketing.
Content Writing is creating longer form content of valuable, educational and engaging narratives to indoctrinate the reader …
To convey a brand’s message and purpose through comprehensive marketing plans.
It’s usually found in blogs, articles and other educational platforms where the primary purpose is to provide value.
On the other hand …
Copywriting is about writing persuasive, action driven content that makes the reader buy, subscribe or take another action using short form copy.
This form of writing is part of a marketing strategy, focusing on advertising, brand awareness and to influence the reader to take action.
It’s found in
- Advertising
- Product descriptions
- Sales or landing pages
And it’s measured by its conversion rate.
So copywriting is often tied to a specific campaign to sell a product …
And focuses on immediate action from the target audience.
In the age of digital dominance, words can make or break your brand. The right words convey your message, prompt action …
Evoke emotions and drive sales.
But businesses struggle with which approach will supercharge their brand and connect with their audience.
The answer lies in understanding the pros of each and making an informed decision that aligns with your business goals.
In this post I will break down the differences and help you decide which one to use for your campaigns.
Copywriting or Content Writing for Your Business?
The decision to hire a content writer or a copywriter depends on your business objectives and customer awareness stage.
If building long term brand loyalty and trust is your goal, then content writing that educates and engages is the way to go.
For short form content like advertising campaigns that are aiming for sales or some kind of conversion, copywriting is what you need.
So start by defining what you want to achieve with your marketing efforts …
Either educate or persuade.
Then you can decide between a copywriter and a content writer.
Often a combination of both is the most effective approach within a comprehensive marketing strategy.
Businesses need to create short form content that sells or prompts a desired action like clicking on a lead magnet …
And long form content that informs and builds customer relationships.
Both will play a role in achieving the overall marketing goals.
Copywriter vs Content writer?
The final decision when choosing copy vs content comes down to your marketing goals.
So consider this:
- A content writer is a must if you want to increase your organic search traffic and provide more information to your audience.
- A copywriter is essential if your main focus is to increase conversion rates on your website or create marketing materials with high engagement.
But if your marketing campaigns require a mix of long form content and persuasive copy, then a combination of both might be the way to go.
Do Small Businesses Need Copywriters?
Small businesses can benefit greatly from copywriters. In the competitive space where every little bit counts, a copywriter is not just recommended …
It’s essential!
Copywriters can turn your brand’s values, products and services into compelling stories that connect with your target audience.
They write messages that grab attention and prompt action …
Whether it’s buying, subscribing to a newsletter or engaging with your brand on social media.
For a small business this can be the difference between being invisible and visible.
Good copywriting amplifies your voice so you’re heard in a noisy market. It’s an investment that pays out big time on a small budget …
So invest in professional copywriting and position your small business for success.
And not to mention …
How much time you save by having someone else do the work for you.
So understanding the importance of copywriting in your digital marketing strategy is key as it affects conversion rates, customer retention and overall brand reputation.
Copywriting and Content Writing for Marketing
Using the best of both content writers and copywriters in marketing is a smart move.
It’s about having a unified messaging strategy where long form content educates and builds expertise and authority …
Short form copy delivers persuasive messages that prompt a specific response.
For example …
You might use content to get a reader through a blog post and once they’re in …
Use a call to action to send them to a product or service within the content or at the end.
Similarly in email marketing copywriters come up with the concept for email campaigns and then the content to support it and engage the audience and guide them to a desired action.
Read this blog post “Why is Copywriting Important In Marketing” to know more.
Can A Content Writer Become A Copywriter?
A content writer and a copywriter share the core skill of writing well but their purposes and focus are quite different.
However a professional writer can do both copywriting and content writing.
But remember …
A copywriter can adapt their style to write content but the two types of writing require different mindsets and skills.
Many writers are versatile and can adapt to your needs but their strengths may lie in one or the other.
The Skills Behind Content Writing vs Copywriting
Both content writers and copywriters should be good at grammar and storytelling but the skills they use are different.
Content writers need research skills and may need to know about search engine optimisation (SEO) …
Depending on the client’s requirements for the content.
If SEO is a priority then content writers should have knowledge of SEO best practices to deliver content that builds relationships with the target audience …
And helps businesses get found in search.
Copywriters need to understand human psychology to be persuasive in a few words.
They’re measured by how well they can convert readers into customers or potential customers so a solid call to action is part of their DNA.
Why Hire a Writing Professional
The investment in professional content or copywriting services pays out big time.
An expert eye can turn your marketing campaigns from meh to amazing.
Not to mention …
Saving you time and effort that you can use on other areas of your business.
How Much Do Copywriters Writers Charge?
How much do content writers charge is a question of what’s the value of unique, high quality content.
Several things can affect the rates:
- The writer’s experience
- Specialisation
- Complexity of the subject matter
- Type of content required
Procopywriter.co.uk found that the average rate per day is £433 …
Senior copywriters charge £800 £2000+ per day and junior copywriters charge £250 per day.
For a breakdown of prices per project …
American Writer & Artists Institute has a guide on how much copywriters should charge with the following recommendations:
| Service | Price |
| Landing Page | $500 – $1,500 |
| Online Sales Page | $3,500 – $25,000 |
| Blog Post | $250 – $800 |
| Homepage Content | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Category Page Update | $259 – $1,000 |
Experienced copywriters, especially those with a sales track record will charge more.
The fee for a content writer is not just for the number of words written but for the value they bring in understanding the audience …
Getting the brand’s voice and engaging the reader in a way that drives results.
When to Use Copywriting
Use copywriting when:
- You need to write sales copy for products or services
- You need to write advertising or marketing messages
- You need to write landing pages for your website
- You need to write email campaigns
- You need calls-to-action that get an immediate response
Why Do Copywriters Cost More Than Content Writers?
The difference in pricing between copywriters and content writers is because of the different roles and objectives of their work.
Copywriters charge more because of their skill in writing content that persuades and converts readers into customers.
A copywriter needs to understand human psychology and be able to get people to take action through words. The impact of a copywriter’s work is measurable in direct sales and conversions so they are crucial to a company’s bottom line.
Also copywriting involves writing stories for various mediums …
Advertising and email campaigns and landing pages and social media …
Each has its own challenges and requirements.
This versatility and the high stakes involved means the premium on copywriting services. A good copywriter gets the value of a product or service and aligns this with the brand’s voice …
Across all platforms.
Content writing is more about informative and engaging content that educates, entertains or informs the audience …
Often with a longer term strategy of building brand awareness and loyalty.
While this is true, the commercial impact may not be as measurable as copywriting …
Which in turn affects the pricing structure for these services.
Will AI Replace Copywriters?
The question of whether AI will replace copywriters is one many in the industry are asking.
While AI and machine learning have made great progress in content generation the skills of an experienced copywriter are impossible to replace.
AI can certainly boost productivity, generate ideas and even help with first draft content. But creativity, emotional intelligence and strategic thinking to write copy that resonates with a human audience is uniquely human.
These are the elements that get messages in front of and into readers’ hearts and minds and influence their decisions and actions.
In the near future AI will be a tool in a copywriter’s toolbox not a replacement. It will help streamline workflows and make data driven decisions faster.
But the art of persuasive writing is built on empathy, context and the human experience …
Which AI still can’t do.
Professional copywriters with AI tools will be more efficient and innovative and push the boundaries of what’s possible in marketing and advertising.
The marriage of human creativity and AI’s capabilities will be the new frontier in copywriting and the profession will not only survive but thrive in an AI augmented world.
Copywriter vs content writer | The Final Verdict
Both content writing and copywriting are essential in marketing and the best strategy is often a mix of both.
Now you know the difference between content writing and copywriting, what decisions can you make about your marketing and who can help you bring those to life?
Whether you want to educate, engage, inform or influence the written word is unbeatable.
Knowing when and how to use it is the key to unlocking your business’s full potential.
FAQs
What is an SEO content writer?
An SEO content writer writes content for humans and is optimised for search engines. They are skilled at getting keywords into their writing without sacrificing the natural flow or readability of the content.
Keyword research and on page SEO integration means a writer can write optimised articles that rank on Google.
What is a content writer?
A content writer is a professional who writes a variety of content to engage an audience.
This can be written content like articles and blog posts or visual content like videos and infographics.
