Copywriter vs Content Writer

Copywriter vs Content Writer, which one is better? What’s the difference? Can you be both? These are some of the questions we will answer in this post. It’s time to clarify everything about these two closely-related concepts. 

The Birth of Copywriters and Content Writers 

For years, people have used these two terms interchangeably. Even if the job description is for a content writer, a lot of employers would still refer to it as a copywriter. One of the reasons was that in the early ages of marketing, ‘copywriting’ was the commonly used term if someone writes for advertisement purposes. These are shorter texts which persuade the market to try out a specific product or service.

But as we all know, the marketing game has changed. The online platform started and creating blogs became more apparent. And because blogs require lengthy texts, content writers became in demand. To date, you can even find different content writing services online like what the Content Fuel team offers. 

Copywriters and content writers are both needed to grow a business. It involves writing so it’s natural that most people are confused with the terms. But apart from the length of the tasks, let’s talk about the main differences between the two. That way, you know which persons to hire if you are an employer. Or you know which job description fits you well if you are a writer. 

Copywriters vs Content Writers, What’s the Difference?

It’s time to differentiate copywriters and content writers. 

Let’s begin with content writers. When we say content writers, your main goal is to inform and to educate your readers. That is why it involves ample time for researching and fact-checking. You always want to give value to your market and you have to be unique considering the stiff competition. And of course, the right use of keywords is highly important for content writers. These keywords will help your blog post be visible in search engines. As a result, you can potentially gain more organic traffic. Sounds easy? Well, it isn’t. 

According to Hosting Tribunal, there are around 500 million blogs around the world. But of course, the number can go up considering that there are inactive blog pages and private websites. Looking at this number alone, and even if you trim it down per industry, it would take a lot of effort, time, and expertise to rank your content. And that is why you have to hire a good content writer that understands your industry, your market, and even SEO.  

As for copywriters, their main objective is to persuade the market. Their words should encourage readers to try out the business. But the trick here is that you only have limited words to do so. Copywriters usually work on headlines or taglines. For some, you might think it’s easy to just compose a sentence. But how hard can it be? Copywriting involves technical and creative skills to be effective. If we are to translate it to graphic design, copywriting is like working on a good logo. It looks simple at face value but the time and effort needed are massive and intense.   

What Makes a Good Content Writer? 

Here’s a quick guide on what to look for a content writer for your business. Most of the time, you need them in creating content for your blogs, newsletters, email, and brochures. 

• Knows how to change tone and approach depending on your needs 
• Does a lot of research before writing an article
• Understands SEO and knows how to naturally include keywords in the post
• Knows the market and simplifies technical terms 
• Amazing storyteller 
• Meets deadline
• Open for feedback
• Has good communication skills
• Avoids fluff 
• Edits his/her work before submission 
• Provides original work

Websites With Great Content

We’re pretty sure you’ve seen this already but we cannot stress this enough, Content is King! You can have the fastest website or the most interactive one, but if your content lacks quality, you will be losing organic visitors in the long run. Below are some of the websites we found to have amazing content.

BuzzFeed

Who doesn’t know BuzzFeed, right? They have engaging and entertaining content and their style won millions of people around the world. 

Listverse

If you want to be updated with “Top 10” lists , then this source is one of the best. It’s easy to read and you can always expect substantial information considering that they always try to hit 10 facts – regardless of the topic. 

Take for example their Top 10 Crazy Facts About The Corona Outbreak. Instead of just talking about the coronavirus, they even included the damage done to Corona beer. Talk about having a different perspective!   

Healthline

What’s good about Healthline is that you get to understand complex diseases. They make their writing style more conversational and simple. As non-medical readers, we don’t usually understand medical terms and that is why this website is beneficial.  

TechNewsWorld   

Another source we found to be outstanding is TechNewsWorld. They also have a way of simplifying terms and making technology more relatable to the mass audience. 

What Makes a Good Copywriter? 

As for copywriters who need to write short yet highly impactful statements, here are some of the qualities they need to possess. You can use their talent for creating Google ads, Facebook ads, calls to action, billboards, headlines or taglines, to name a few. 

• Highly creative and thinks out of the box 
• Knows how to simplify concepts 
• Have a more conversational, persuasive, and direct approach 
• Understands the core of your business 
• They know your business direction as well 
• They understand the market and the trends including colloquial words
• Copywriters are flexible and can easily adapt 
• Open to new ideas 
• Enjoys playing with words 

Best Copywriting Samples 

How about looking at these copywriting samples for your next project? 

Apple

“Not just a thinner display. A better display.”

Short. Simple. Direct. And that’s what Apple is good at — maintaining minimalism.   

Dropbox

“Even if your computer has a meltdown or your phone goes for a swim, your stuff is always safe in Dropbox and can be restored in a snap. Dropbox is like a time machine that lets you undo mistakes and even undelete files you accidentally trash.”

You can also make your copy sound friendly. Don’t forget to highlight the benefits of your products or services, most especially if you are new in the market. 

The Economist

“A poster should contain no more than eight words, which is the maximum the average reader can take at a single glance. This, however, is for Economist readers.” 

We know that this last example breaks the rules of keeping it short in posters. But it proved to be effective because it’s unique and it gives the impression of exclusivity and higher intelligence. 

Conclusion 

So which one is better in the battle of Copywriter vs Content Writer? Which one do you need for your business? 

The answer depends on the type of writing projects your business needs. However, if you want to maximize the effectiveness of communication, hiring both is recommended. 

You can’t really say that one is better than the other because they have different purposes. In addition, both copywriters and content writers are essential to close sales. 

If we are to strategically include content writing and copywriting in a process flow, these two will have their respective places. Think of it this way, you need content writing to build your brand’s credibility and to inform your readers about your business. And then when you finally gained their trust, a good copywriting can help you bring sales. Let’s just say, they work well together. Some writers can do both while others specialize in one.