Copywriting vs. Content Writing: What’s the Difference?

When you’re looking at job posts, you may see some that mention content writing. But what’s the difference between copywriting and content writing? Aren’t content and copywriting the same? And when it comes to content writing vs. copywriting, is one better than the other?

Many people outside of the writing industry don’t understand the difference (and, actually, there are some inside who don’t know, either). But it’s important for you to know the difference between copywriting and content writing. You want to show the right samples to your prospective client or employer and discuss the right type of experience.

Differences Between Copywriting and Content Writing

Copywriting is writing designed to sell things to people or persuade them. That may be selling a product, selling a service, selling people on taking an action, or even selling people on having a certain perception of a company or person.

Effective copywriting connects people who have a need with the best possible solution to that need. The word choices and ideas are designed to specifically connect and resonate with the target audience. Copywriting is not about being tricky or salesy (in fact, that can seriously backfire!).

Content writing is writing that offers information, inspiration, or entertainment.

Content is articles, blog entries, and social media posts (that is, social media posts that aren’t ads). It’s a very different beast than copywriting. But as a copywriter, you’re bound to find a lot of clients/employers who will offer to pay you to do some content writing. Besides, you’ll see that a lot of what you’ve learned and you’re learning about copywriting will help to make you an even better content writer.

Content gives the reader a reason to visit the website or company’s Facebook page/Twitter feed/etc. again and again. And, of course, the more they interact with the company in these ways, the more likely they are to turn to the company when they would like to purchase something.

Using your copywriting skills, it will be up to you to create strategic content that furthers the company’s goals and is useful to the reader.

Get Additional Insight

Watch this video for more on what makes copywriting different than content writing, why content writing is known as a churn-and-burn industry, and how copywriters can charge their full copywriting rates for content projects.

If you’re someone who loves writing, it is possible to offer both copywriting and content writing to your clients. You’ll just want to make sure you have the copywriting training that will enable you to offer your content clients even more value (and be able to charge accordingly!). One Comprehensive Copywriting student, Dori, was a content writer in the travel space before discovering copywriting. Watch here journey here >>

Your turn! Where have you seen great content writing? Is their copywriting just as good? (Why or why not?) Let us know in the comments below!

Last Updated on May 20, 2022 by Kate Sitarz