Copywriting vs Content Writing: What are the Differences?

What is the difference between copywriting and content writing?

Copywriting and content writing are widely used terms in the marketing world. While both deals with some form of writing there are many differences between the two.

If you are someone looking to endeavor in the writing world and not sure which one you should go for. Or if you are someone looking to hire a writer and not sure whether to hire a content writer or copywriter then you can get rid of all your confusion after reading this blog.

In this write-up, you will find all the details about copywriting vs content writing along with a bonus section about how you can generate both using AI content writers.

So without further ado, let’s get started…

What is Copywriting?

Copywriting is the process of writing content for any marketing or advertising purpose with the aim of persuading customers to take a certain action. It’s the craft of convincing your customers to buy your product/service through words that connect your audience to your products.

“Copy is a direct conversation with the consumer.”

– Shirley Polykoff

“You sell on emotion, but you justify a purchase with logic.”

– Joseph Sugarman

Examples of copywriting include:

• Website landing page copy
• PPC ads such as Google ads, Bing ads, etc.
• Social media ads
• Product pages
• Video scripts
• Pop-up messages
• Chatbot scripts
• Sales emails
• Short Message Service (SMS) ads

What is Content Writing?

Content Writing is the process of writing content to inform customers about your product/service. It’s the art of nurturing customers by providing useful information to increase engagement with your brand and eventually become your customers. However, content doesn’t necessarily deal with direct sales but rather getting your customers interested in your product.

 “In an online world, our online words are our emissaries; they tell the world who we are.”

– Ann Handley

Examples of Content writing :

• How-to blogs and articles
• Reviews
• Case studies
• Interviews
• Newsletter emails
• Social media captions
• E-books
• ‘Website About & Faq pages

What is the difference between copywriting and content writing

One can not simply answer the question “What is the difference between copywriting and content writing” in a single line considering a single dimension. You need to consider different aspects of writing to understand the true difference between copywriting and content writing.

In this section, you will get to know the difference between Copywriting and Content Writing in three different aspects or arrays. So let’s get started…

Purpose: Copywriting vs Content Writing

The purpose is one of the first that should be taken into consideration while differentiating between copywriting and content writing.

Copywriting is sales-driven, so each copy has one purpose and that is to make the customer click on the CTA button and thus increase sales and conversion. For example, a Facebook ad copy is meant to make the user click on the CTA like Apply Now, Book Now, Call Now, etc.

On the other hand, the purpose of content is to build brand loyalty by increasing user engagement with the brand. For example, a Facebook post is written to get more user engagement in the form of likes, comments, and shares.

Length: Copywriting vs Content Writing

Since the purpose and structure of copywriting and content writing are different the length also varies.

Copywriting is a short form of writing such as ad copy, sales copy, etc. In copywriting, the focus is to express more in limited words. Usually, copywriters write in a way that each line hooks up the audience to read the next and eventually convinces them to take a certain action.

On the other hand, since content writing focuses on creating write-ups that will educate the audience, they are longer. In most cases, content writers write blogs showing tutorials, or describing the advantages/disadvantages of something. Thus, the nature of content basically requires you to write lengthy write-ups.

The tone of writing: Copywriting vs Content Writing

Copywriting is one-directional with the sole aim of increasing sales. So, the tone of writing in copywriting is very formal and strategic. In most cases, copywriting uses a tone and information to create FOMO (fear of missing out) in the audience so they buy your product/service.

On the contrary, content writing is multi-directional. Since the aim is to ensure a good user experience and add value to your users, content writers use a conversational and friendly tone. In most cases, content writers assemble content from different sources to ensure the content sounds very informative, informal, and useful.

So, now you know the difference between copywriting and content writing. Whatever the difference is, the reality is you need both to turn your online business into a success.

But hiring both a copywriter and content writer can cost you way more than you would like. However, you can save a lot of money if you use an AI writing tool that can generate both Copywriting and content writing. To learn more details, move to the next section.

A quick comparison difference between copywriting and content writing

Criteria	Copywriting	Content writing
Type of writing	Persuades customers to buy something or take action.	Inform customers about your product/service so they get to know your product better.
Length	Short form of writing	Long form of writing
Goal/Purpose	Goal is to increase sales	Goal is to educate audience
Tone of writitng	One directional	Multi directional
Example	PPC ads, landing page copy, email copy etc.	How-to blogs, case studies, newsletter etc.

How to generate copy and content both using AI tools?

You can generate both copy and content using a wonderful WordPress plugin named GetGenie AI. This next-generation AI content writer offers 25+ templates that you can use to generate all sorts of copy and content for your website.

In terms of copywriting, you will get templates like:

• AIDA (Attention, Interest, Desire & Action)
• Before After Bridge (BAB)
• Product Ad Copy
• The problem, Agitate, Solution (PAS)
• Taglines and many more

Here are some of the content writing templates you will get with GetGenie AI:

• Blog wizard
• Paragraph for Heading
• Paragraph Rewrite
• Definition
• Sentence Rewriter
• Next Sentence … and many more.

On top of providing so many templates, this WordPress plugin also provides a great user interface to use all the templates to generate the copy or content you are looking for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions with answers about copywriting and content writing:

Which is best, copywriting or content writing?

Well, there is no such thing as copywriting being better than content writing, or content writing is better than copywriting. The two can not be compared because each has a different purpose and writers write each with a different tone and methods. So, go for the one that suits your needs.

Do I Need a Content Writer or a Copywriter?

Depends on which type of content you are looking for. If you want to write sales-driven copy like PPC ads, landing page copy, etc., then you need a copywriter. On the contrary, if you need an informative piece of writing such as a blog, e-books, etc then you should hire a content writer.

✅✅ Check out How to Scale Content Marketing Growth for Maximum Result : 8 Steps Guide

Final words on Copywriting vs Content Writing

I hope now you know the difference between copywriting and content writing. While both are forms of writing they have separate sets of tone, mood, and goals. 

However, copywriting and content writing are two different sets of skills. While one can do both of these, in most cases, you will find specialists that either only do copywriting or content writing.

In case, you are looking to generate content writing and copywriting using an AI-based WordPress plugin, do try out GetGenie.

What’s your thought on copywriting vs content writing? Do let us know in the comment box.