Business owners rely on copywriters and content writers to connect to their audiences through compelling content.
Therefore, there is a misconception that copywriting and content writing are the same when that is not the case.
Copywriting is the act of writing to sell, while content writing is the act of writing to educate and entertain. Together, they can increase perception, educate, and attract new visitors to a brand.
The content writer writes valuable content that will educate people about your brand. The copywriter writes copy that will attract new leads who can become clients.
Also Read: Differences Between Copywriting and Content writing
However, despite their differences, copywriting and content writing are also similar. So, if you want to function as both, this is a knowledge you cannot do without.
Let’s see the similarities between content writing and copywriting.
Copywriting and Content Writing: Major Similarities
1. The Goal to Fascinate
Copywriting and content writing use words to charm their audience. They use engaging headlines and cogent introductions to grab their audience’s attention.
The copywriter wants his audience to respond to his prompts: buy, download, or sign up for something. Likewise, a content writer’s goal is for his content to meet the needs and desires of his audience. Therefore, the process of achieving the above is similar in both cases.
The content must be engaging to encourage readers to keep reading and share with others. Similarly, the copy must persuade the reader to take action.
So, both desire specific responses from their audiences.
2. Need of Audience
You can’t meet the desire of an audience you know nothing about. A copywriter and a content writer will write amiss if their messages don’t suit the needs of their audience. They must understand what is important to their audience and then centre their writing around it. This way, they can deliver useful copy and content.
Copywriting emphasises the benefits it offers and how it’ll solve the problem of its audience. The content writer also provides accurate and valuable information that his audience can digest. The end is to answer the question or solve the audience’s problem.
3. Writing Style
They both use concise and straightforward words in their writing. Good content and copy have to be easy to read and understand. It also has to be coherent and logical.
Although there is no one-size-fits-all writing style, it should be specific to the audience. For instance, the writing style of content or copy for Gen Zs will differ from that of baby boomers.
Plus, grammatical and spelling errors are unacceptable to the copy and content writer. A good copywriter and a content writer will always proofread and edit their work to have polished writing.
4. Tone
They are both conversational in their writing. A compelling copy and content must speak to the audience in the language they prefer and will understand. The wording of both the copywriter and the content writer helps build confidence and credibility for the business. If your audience doesn’t trust you, they will not care about what you have to say.
5. SEO and Keywords
Although SEO is more required in content writing, it is also used in some aspects of copywriting. Search engines are invaluable tools for seeking information online. The best way to get higher visibility and reach is for a copy or content to optimise to rank on search engines. Copywriters and content writers conduct research for keywords and phrases. They place these keywords into their copy and content to increase their views.
Copywriting and Content Writing are Not Siamese Twin
While they are alike, their primary focus is not. The emphasis of copywriting is on selling or promoting goods and services. In contrast, content writing is about dishing out valuable information.
However, they are both helpful in surviving in business today and should be combined for optimal results.