With so much information available online, people are turning to content writers to help them create engaging articles for their blogs and social media. But, what exactly is copywriting, and how does it differ from writing for SEO? In this article, we will discuss the ins and outs of copywriting so you can differentiate between the two.
What Is Copywriting?
The American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A’s) defines copywriting as “the communication of an idea, product or message through the use of words, phrases, images and sometimes music in electronic publications such as websites, emails and social media.” In other words, copywriters are graphic and editorial artists who create content for digital marketing campaigns.
For years, writers have been tasked with creating content for magazines, newspapers and other publications. However, as media evolves, so do the demands of content creation. Today, writers must not only be able to create compelling content for web pages, but must also be able to create compelling content for emails, social media posts, and other digital forms of marketing.
Because of the demands of today’s marketing world, copywriting is no longer restricted to writers and journalists. Today, content creators of all shapes and sizes are tasked with crafting unique messages that will keep their audience engaged and motivated to act when asked to.
What Is SEO?
While copywriting is a task performed for marketing purposes, SEO is a strategy performed to improve a website’s organic (non-paid) search ranking.
Simply put, SEO focuses on making sure that search engines, such as Google and Bing, can easily find and rank your content.
SEO is a combination of on-page and off-page SEO. On-page SEO focuses on the content that is already on your website. Off-page SEO involves bringing in as much quality backlinks as possible to improve your website’s search engine ranking.
You can use a tool like Google Analytics to track the success of your SEO strategy. For example, you can use the Audience > Behavior section of the tool to see which pieces of content generated the most leads or sales.
Why Should I Hire a Copywriter?
Writing is an essential skill for anyone aspiring to become a successful marketer. But, what sets successful copywriters apart is their ability to clearly and concisely communicate complex ideas in simple, engaging language.
For example, imagine you are tasked with creating a sales funnel that will convert browsers into leads into paying customers. You can definitely write the general blueprint for the process, but being able to transform that dry academic language into something more personable and engaging is what sets a skilled copywriter apart from an average writer.
With so much content created every day, companies are under a never-ending stream of pressure to always have fresh material to share. In this ever-evolving world, companies need people who can take their raw material and transform it into interesting articles, emails, and social media posts.
If you are looking to beef up your content creation game, consider pursuing a career in copywriting. Not only will you be able to craft compelling messages for webpages, emails, and social media, but you will also be able to prove your value as a business partner and employee by creating compelling content for your own LinkedIn profile, Facebook page, and other platforms.