Content Writing Vs. Copywriting: What's the Difference?
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Any importance already given to the written word has only gone up tenfold since we have moved into the digital age.
A lot of attention is given to what we read online, be it on our phones, tablets, or computers, and for good reason too. Businesses know that any opportunity to entice you to buy their products or develop brand loyalty needs to be taken seriously. Two of the main tools used today are content writing and copywriting. If we were to put them up against each other, content writing vs copywriting, many would not be able to tell you the difference off the bat. But for good reason getting familiar with the differences may prove useful for you. Due to the possibility of these two professions allowing for a flexible lifestyle and the ability to work from anywhere, they have turned into some of the most coveted online jobs today. So let's breakdown the differences between these two interesting fields of work. Content Writing Have you ever got into a conversation with a friend about a certain topic and needed verification about something? Or perhaps you have a few spare minutes on your lunch break and decide to read up on how to fix that leaky tap or rearrange your garage. The type of article that scratches our itch in those cases is more than likely written by a content writer. The purpose of a content writer is to inform, educate, and entertain, and at best do all three. To do this, the content is not too complex to allow it to be accessible for all. Astute businesses have started to see the value in providing this type of content for a number of reasons. Why Businesses Need Online Content First, in imitating traditional blog writers businesses are able to develop relationships with people who may later become customers. Second, by providing consistent and reliable content for the public, businesses are able to enhance their reputation as respectable and reliable. Rather than trying to draw people in and sell them your product or service, online content drives organic growth in your public image which can lead to sales. The long game is being played when a company provides online content however it can produce fruit if done well. The skill in writing good content is to ever so slightly influence the readers for your own interests without it ever seeming like a sales pitch. If we go back to one of our examples at the beginning, a hardware store may have content for our DIY needs. The reality is that in order to complete our task we will need their products, which is where keywords come in. SEO (Search engine optimization) is vital, as the higher your page or article is ranked, the more traffic you are able to bring to your page. Therefore one key difference between content writing vs copywriting is that content writers rely heavily on the use of keywords that are popular with those who are in their target market. Content writing isn't only restricted to blogs and articles but also can include social media newsletters, e-books, and even video production projects can need a content writer. Copywriting Writing copy (text) has a long and rich history in the world of sales and marketing. Any slogan, tagline, or words of any kind connected to selling a product would have been written by a professional copywriter. The purpose of writing copy is to persuade the person reading, that your product or service is for them. The fact advertising has taken copy seriously for such a long time also means that its introduction into the digital world is fairly recent. Digital marketing, web design, search ads, and things simply didn't exist for most companies pre-2000. This has meant that beyond the traditional ads, billboards, jingles, and marketing campaigns of yesteryear the job of a copywriter has expanded greatly. Today one is needed for Facebook ads, social media ads, press releases, and web page content. However, this development has made it even more important than it was before. As it is directly linked to sales, there is much riding on copy. Once someone is proven as having perfected their craft though, it can turn into quite a lucrative career. What Makes a Good Copywriter? Gaining the skills acquired often takes time. Knowing how to frame your product, who your target customer base is, and how to represent your brand are all vital aspects of the art that a copywriter needs in their arsenal. It is not good enough just for your words to be easy to read, they need to hook the person and result in lead conversion. Invoking a reaction in a person is no good if it doesn't lead to any action. For this reason, many copywriters have taken advantage of courses and studied to learn the required skills or have a background in sales and marketing. Content Writing vs Copywriting: Which One Is for Me? By now the differences between content and copy should be clear. But if you are considering entering the world of writing you may be thinking "content writing vs copywriting, which one is for me?". The reality is that both can be extremely challenging yet rewarding, which is part of their appeal. However, if you are considering making the jump into the world of copywriting, guidance is needed. Doing a course can pay massive dividends and give you the skills and confidence to move ahead in this exciting profession. If that applies to you, we at SFSC can help you reach your goals with our online copywriting course. Find out more details here. |