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As a marketer, I understand that many words from the marketing world mean different things to others. But, of all words that define my role as a writer, the differences between copywriting, content writing, and SEO writing cause the most confusion among clients.
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Anyone with a website requires a copywriter and a web content writer; while they’re both writers, they execute very different strategies, and their skills are pretty different. Not to mention, an SEO writer brings a different set of skills to the table too.
To help you understand this game of words, I wanted to break down the differences between content writing and copywriting. And, most importantly, I want to highlight why understanding the differences between the two can make or break your business’s website.
Put simply, content is about information and copy is about persuasion.
Here’s where it gets complicated: copy can be considered content, but the content isn’t necessarily copy. So, to make it more straightforward, let me summarize the types of pieces you should expect to get from each form.
This is why we say, “content is king.” It truly is the heart and center of any marketing strategy. It’s why visitors view your pages, why they share it with others using social media, and why they comment on and share your content.
Copy isn’t about telling a story; instead, it’s more about persuading the user to take some action. Now, this can be subscribing to your newsletter, buying your product or service, or requesting more information.
Copy shares just enough information to your potential buyers to get them interested in taking action. Effective copywriters know how to cut the fluff and explain complex concepts in a simple form that will entice users to act.
Both web copy and content need SEO weaved into the sentences to stand out and help your content rank well on Google.
More than creating engaging content, SEO writing is about planning, designing, and optimizing content to rank in search engines. This means planning content based on a specific target keyword. An SEO writer knows how to plug these keywords in throughout the content without looking too obvious or too forced.
Beyond the traditional content styles we discussed above, SEO content includes:
So, as a business owner, you might think content is just words on your website. While this is true (on the surface), deeper down, it gets a bit murkier. Not all writers can be copywriters, and not all copywriters can be content writers. Someone might be excellent at sharing a story and adding facts, resources, and shocking information that are engaging to read. But, maybe they can’t summarize what you do in one short paragraph that persuades someone to call your business. See the difference?
As you understand what each of these types of writers can help you produce, it’s essential to learn about what makes them different at their core. On the surface, all web writers share many of the same skills and talents, but when you analyze them more profoundly, you’ll notice some differences:
While not all writers can find the sweet spot between being a copywriter and a content writer, let alone an SEO writer, those who do are a rare species in the marketing world. A content marketing strategy needs copywriting to be effective. Otherwise, the high-quality content someone produces will just be sitting on a blog somewhere.
As a business, you want to have people with strong skills in these three different writing styles. One (the copywriter) will help you craft content that converts readers into customers. Another one (the content writer) will draft content that engages and allows your customers to become loyal readers. And, the final one (the SEO writer) will make sure your content ranks for specific keywords and queries so new users can find your products or services.
Invest in your future by choosing to hire a SaaS copywriter and an SEO copywriter who can do it all.
A well-rounded writer can assist with different types of projects. However, copywriters, SEO writers, and content writers have different skills that make them more or less suited to specific content projects. It really depends on the goals that you have for a specific project.
SEO writers typically work on:
Copywriters usually work on:
Content writers typically work on:
Most business owners and agencies don’t have the time to write content. It’s a time-consuming job that requires someone with the knowledge and skills to make an impact. The average blog post takes anywhere between two to six hours to complete. Do you have that much time in your hands to plan, research, write, and edit content every week?
Here are some reasons you might want to hire a copywriter:
If you have these goals for your business, consider working with a content writer:
If you have these goals, consider hiring an SEO writer:
Depending on your business goals, you may want to hire a copywriter or an SEO writer. Ideally, you can find a well-rounded writer that can tackle different types of projects at once. Here are some things to look for when hiring a writer:
Luckily, today you can find a writer in one of the many freelance marketplace sites online. You should be able to see their portfolio, references, and even reviews or testimonials of their work. This is the best way to see if a writer aligns with your business needs and target audience.
As you start working with a writer, be clear about your expectations and understand the writer’s expectations. As you try to build your business, a writer can help breathe new life into your business and help you leverage some time to focus on growing your company.
