Difference Between Copywriting and Content Writing

by Elluminati

Posted: 14 years ago 5 replies

COPY WRITING

Perhaps this is a dumb question, but I'm no copywriter and just got chewed up by someone (who obviously had p*ss in his Cheerios this morning) for using copywriter and content writer interchangeably (my bad). He said the two are nowhere near similar and that I have a severe misunderstanding of what copywriting is and that he took his title very seriously as a copywriter...

Don't copywriters create content for sales pages/minisites, etc.?

Sure, there are different types of content writing, but explain why copywriting can't be considered a type at all.

Kind petty, but just looking for other explanations.

#content #content writing #copywriting #difference #differences #writing

Raydal 14 years ago

This stickie thread should help you.

http://www.warriorforum.com/copywrit...le-writer.html

-Ray Edwards
- [ 1 ] Thanks
Signature

The most powerful and concentrated copywriting training online today bar none! Autoresponder Writing Email SECRETS
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5840992].message }}
angiecolee 14 years ago

Originally Posted by Elluminati

Sure, there are different types of content writing, but explain why copywriting can't be considered a type at all.

The link Raydal gave can explain it in-depth.

The main difference is that content writing is informative. Copywriting is persuasive. They are entirely different skill sets. The former involves digesting some form of research and regurgitating facts. The latter involves drowning oneself in research and emerging with a point of view that stabs a reader in the heart and inspires them to reach for their wallet.

Copywriters can often write articles, but don't since it's not worth nearly as much money for their time. Rarely can an article writer write good copy.
- [ 1 ] Thanks
- 1 reply
Signature

Aspiring copywriters: if you need 1:1 advice from an experienced copy chief, head over to my Phone a Friend page.
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5841689].message }}
- Elluminati 14 years ago
  
  Very well put.
  
  Originally Posted by angiecolee
  
  Rarely can an article writer write good copy.
  
  Until they learn the game. I went from manuscripts to articles and now considering copywriting. It's a whole nother monster, I can tell.
  
  Thanks
  
  1 reply
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5841855].message }}
  
  angiecolee 14 years ago
  
  I never said it was impossible
  
  Many people who work exclusively with content/article writers have a hard time understanding why good copywriting is worth the investment. It's the difference between skimming the surface of the available information and diving in head first.
  
  A good 3/4 (probably even more) of the copywriting process is pure research, and many don't have the patience for that kind of information overload.
  
  Those who can and do make the transition will find their footing and succeed, I'm sure Just gotta work hard, like all things in life.
  
  [ 1 ] Thanks
  
  Signature
  
  Aspiring copywriters: if you need 1:1 advice from an experienced copy chief, head over to my Phone a Friend page.
  
  {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5842312].message }}
ramblingrye 14 years ago

I also write content myself and I never ventured into copywriting because I know it is different. Not that I won't ever. For starters, copywriters do not write "content". They produce a copy designed to - and only to - make people read and buy whatever service or product is being offered. It entails extensive research that could take days to a month.
- [ 2 ] Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5842579].message }}