No matter what stage your business is in, you need an audience willing to buy your product or service. But to attract or convert anyone to buy anything, there has to be content and copy. Both are important but differ in purposes and goals.

Copywriting and content writing have a few commonalities: they are marketing forms, writing, and asking your audience to do something. However, there is a key difference.

What is copywriting?

The sole purpose of copy (sales copy) is to persuade your audience to buy what you’re offering. You are turning page visitors and email subscribers into customers. 
Examples of copywriting include:

• Sales emails
• Sales page
• Ads
• Product descriptions

Why is copywriting important?

While building an email list and nurturing them is crucial, there comes a time when you have to sell to them. A business without sales is just a hobby. Copy is found in registration for events and courses/webinars as well.

What is content writing?

Content writing educates, informs, or inspires your audience to engage with your content. Before a prospect converts to a customer, your customers need nurturing through content. It might take longer to convert to a sale, but consistency pays off in the long run. 
Examples of content writing include:

• Newsletters 
• Presentation slides 
• Ebooks
• Downloadables

Is content writing important?

When writing content, you speak in your brand voice, raise awareness, and build a relationship with your audience. Producing quality and consistent content makes you a credible source for your audience.

Content also boosts the visibility of your website through Search Engine Optimization (SEO). When someone types in a question on Google, your content might appear on the first or second page depending upon keyword or phrase search volume.

Advantages of copywriting?

Depending upon the quality of copy, it can convert a first-time visitor into a buyer. As long as you have something to sell, copywriting is needed. Sales are the lifeblood of your business.

Advantages of content writing?

One advantage is that it can be written once and still gain visibility. Creating a lead magnet to build/grow an email list, invite your audience to a blog post or podcast, or want to include frequently asked questions (faqs) to your website, you’re writing content. Good content leads to traffic!

In conclusion

Good copy and content writing can only go right if you have the right goal attached to them and written for a targeted audience. Now that you know the difference between the two, you can identify if the goals match the writing. 

Please share what you’d like to change about your current written content in the comments.