Copywriting vs Content Marketing: What’s the Difference?
Copywriting and content marketing are two terms that are often used interchangeably. However, they actually refer to two very different things. So, what exactly is the difference, and how can you use each to your advantage? Here we’ll dig into copywriting vs content marketing so you can better understand how to use each to grow your business.
The Primary Difference Between Copywriting and Content Marketing
The primary difference between copywriting and content marketing is their respective goals. Copywriting is designed to persuade people to take a particular action, such as buying something or subscribing to an email list. Meanwhile, content marketing is focused on creating valuable and engaging content to help build a relationship with your audience.
For example, a company looking to increase sales of a particular product would likely use copywriting in its marketing efforts. However, if they were looking to build brand awareness or establish themselves as an expert in their industry, they would likely focus on content marketing. Ultimately, it depends on the business’s goals and objectives.
Now that you know the main difference between copywriting vs content marketing, let’s take a closer look at the role each plays in your business.
A Closer Look at Copywriting
Copywriting is all about persuasion, with the goal of creating magnetic, exciting content that pulls the reader in and doesn’t let them go until they’ve completed the desired action. To do this, copywriters use persuasive techniques like making bold claims, using compelling language, and crafting powerful calls to action.
Examples of Copywriting
There are a variety of different types of writing that fall under this umbrella term, including ads, sales pages, web pages, and sales emails. While each has a different purpose, they all share one common goal: getting the reader to take action.
For example, ads are designed to create interest in a product or service and typically appear in print or online. Sales pages are meant to persuade the reader to purchase a product or service. Web pages generally provide information about a company or product but can also include persuasive elements. Finally, sales emails are sent with the purpose of getting the recipient to buy a product or service, often including time-sensitive offers or special deals.
How to Write Effective Copy
Writing compelling copy is both art and science. The science part comes from understanding your audience and what motivates them. Once you know what makes them tick, you can create persuasive copy that speaks to their needs and desires. Here are a few other tips to keep in mind when crafting your copy:
Start by Defining Your Goals
Before you start writing, it’s essential to take a step back and establish the desired outcome. For example, what do you want your readers to do after they’ve finished reading? Do you want them to sign up for your email list? Purchase your product? Share your content with their friends? Once you know what action you want your readers to take, you can structure your copy accordingly.
Use Eye-Grabbing Headlines
Your headline is the first thing your audience sees, so it’s important to make it count. Write headlines that are clear, interesting, and make use of powerful words that pack a punch. If your headline doesn’t immediately make a strong impression, it’s unlikely that anyone will stick around to read the rest!
Make a Strong Claim Supported by Evidence
If you want your readers to believe what you’re saying, it’s vital to make a strong claim supported by convincing evidence. Think about what makes your product or service unique, and then find data to support your claims. For example, if you’re selling skincare products made from natural ingredients, including statistics demonstrating the benefits of natural ingredients can help convince your readers to purchase your product.
Use Powerful Language
The language you use in your copy can also make a big difference in its effectiveness. Be sure to use persuasive language that inspires confidence and motivates people to take action. For example, instead of saying “our moisturizer can improve your complexion,” try something like “our moisturizer transforms your complexion.”
Include a Single, Clear Call to Action
Last but not least, include a single, clear call to action so that people know what they should do next. For example, if you want them to buy your product, include a link to the purchase page. If you want them to sign up for your email list, include a link or form where they can do so. And if you want them to share your content with their friends, invite them to hit the share button.
A Closer Look at Content Marketing
Content marketing is all about building relationships, credibility, and authority. Its goal is to create informative or entertaining content that will build trust and credibility with the reader. Unlike copywriting, which always has a sales-oriented intent, content marketing is centered around providing value to the reader.
Examples of Content Marketing
A successful content marketing strategy requires a variety of different content types. For example, blog posts can inform readers about new products or services, while podcasts can educate listeners about a particular industry. Meanwhile, YouTube videos are perfect for entertaining viewers and building brand awareness.
While each of these content types serves a different purpose, they all share one common goal: to build relationships with the reader by providing informative or entertainment value. By creating compelling and engaging content, businesses can effectively connect with their target audience and build loyalty among their customer base.
How to Create Effective Content
Creating content is about more than just banging out a blog post or throwing up a couple of paragraphs on your website and calling it a day. If you want your content to be effective, it’s crucial to put thought into it and make sure it hits all the right marks. To that end, here are some things to keep in mind when creating an effective content marketing strategy.
Define Your Goals
What are you hoping to achieve with your content? Once you know your goals, you can tailor your content to meet those specific goals. For example, if you’re hoping to increase brand awareness, then you’ll want to create content that is shareable and informative.
Know Your Audience
Not all content will appeal to everyone, so it’s important to narrow your focus to your target demographic. That way, you can create content that resonates with them and speaks to their specific needs.
Determine Your Content’s Value
Not all content is created equal, and if you want people to read (and share!) your content, it’s imperative to provide them with truly valuable content. That means taking the time to understand what type of information your target audience is looking for and then creating content that provides them with that information.
For instance, if you sell baby products, you’ll want to create content that appeals to new parents, like tips for caring for a new baby or the best ways to get a baby to sleep through the night. Or, if you sell beauty products, you could focus on creating content that helps people choose the right products for their skin type.
Publish Consistently
While there is no magic number when it comes to how often you should publish new content, the important thing is to be consistent. The frequency with which you publish new content will largely depend on the amount of original content you have available. If you have a small team and are only able to produce a limited amount of content, then you will need to be more strategic about when you release it.
However, if you have a large team or are able to outsource some of the content creation, then you can afford to be more consistent in your publishing schedule. Regardless of how often you can publish new content, the important thing is to maintain a regular publishing schedule so your audience can keep coming back for more.
Copywriting vs Content Marketing In Your Business Strategy
By understanding the difference between copywriting and content marketing (and how to use them), you can create more effective marketing campaigns that will help you grow your business. Do you need help figuring out and executing your content marketing strategy? Not only do our writers provide unique, high-quality content, but we can also help you find topics to write about. Contact us today at SteadyContent in Austin, TX, and get 50% off your first order!