The Difference Between Copywriters & Content Writers

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Copywriting and content writing. Two disciplines. Two different goals and approaches. Countless misunderstandings.

You’ve seen the job postings. “Seeking a copywriter to create engaging blog content.” Or “Content writer needed for compelling sales copy.”

🫣

Newsflash: They’re not the same thing.

Here’s the kicker – you need both, and you need to know the difference.

Because whether it’s a snappy tagline or a lengthy white paper, every piece of content needs a purpose. It’s not about filling pages. It’s about intention, impact, and results.

Knowing why you’re creating content? That’s step one.

Knowing how to create it effectively to have the desired impact? That’s where the magic happens.

What’s the Difference Between Copywriting and Content Writing?

Copywriting: The Don Draper of Communicating

Copywriting is the art of persuasion. It’s the Don Draper of the writing world – smooth, strategic, and always closing.

In a nutshell: Copywriting is words that sell. It’s the snappy one-liner that makes you click “Buy Now” faster than you can say “impulse purchase.”

The goal of copywriting is to get your users to take some sort of action or move to the next step in the customer journey through the use of tactics, disciplines, methods, and mediums that are used to persuade. (ie. sales pages, print ads, digital ads, video sales letters, etc).

The great thing about copywriting is that you’ll know if you’ve done your job well if and when sales are made that directly correlate to your copy.

Content Writing: The Anthony Bourdain of Sharing Information

Content writing? It’s more like Anthony Bourdain – taking you on a journey, teaching you something new, and leaving you hungry for more.

Bottom line: Content writing is words that tell. It’s the meaty article that keeps you scrolling, the how-to guide that saves your project, and the email newsletter you actually read.

Content is meant to inform, entertain, educate, and in some cases, even promote something. Examples of content writing include blogs, ebooks, whitepapers, podcasts, how-to videos, etc. When you’ve made a website or brand a go-to authority on a topic, making people share, promote, and come back for more content… you’re winning. That’s a sign of good, effective content.

Here’s a more comprehensive breakdown of the differences between the two:

AspectCopywritingContent Writing
Primary goalPersuade and drive actionInform, educate, entertain
LengthTypically short-formOften long-form
TonePersuasive, urgentInformative, conversational
Call to actionStrong, directSoft, indirect (if present)
SEO focusLess emphasisStrong emphasis
Typical formatsAds, landing pages, email campaignsBlog posts, articles, whitepapers
MetricsConversions, click-through rates, salesEngagement, time on page, shares
TimeframeShort-term resultsLong-term relationship building

The Plot Twist: When Lines Blur

Sometimes copy educates. Sometimes content sells.

The best? When they do both.

Take Apple for example. Their product pages are masterclasses in weaving specs into stories. Features become benefits. Technical jargon transforms into tantalizing possibilities.

That’s the sweet spot. The holy grail. The perfect blend of copy and content.

The Skills: What It Takes for Content and Copywriting

Copywriters can be content writers, but the opposite is not true. Content writers need actual copywriting training and experience to be successful at writing effective copy. If you’ve graduated from high school, you’ve likely had to do some sort of research paper where you had to learn how to cite sources, do in-depth research, pick a topic, prove a point, and keep the reader engaged (among other skills). These same skills translate well when it comes to content writing. Throw in a basic understanding of SEO, and you can pass as a halfway decent content writer.

For aspiring copywriters, you need to know what you’re missing and what gaps to fill in order to elevate and round out your skills for better opportunities.

And employers, the information below is meant to help you know what to look for when hiring. One of the first things I ask during interviews is if the candidate knows the difference between copywriting and content writing. It would help if you had a solid understanding of the answer to that question, and what to expect from each too so that you can better understand where a candidate is and their level of experience.

Now that we’ve set the stage, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty. What does it take to excel in copywriting and content writing? Buckle up, because we’re about to spill the beans on the skills that separate the pros from the pretenders.

Copywriting: The Art of Persuasion

Copywriting isn’t just about stringing words together. It’s about crafting messages that compel action. It’s psychology meets linguistics, with a dash of sales thrown in for good measure. Here’s what sets the great copywriters apart:

  • Psychological triggers? They’re your best friends. You know what buttons to push and what you can get away with without annoying your audience.
  • If you can’t write a headline that stops thumbs mid-scroll, don’t bother.
  • A/B testing isn’t a luxury. It’s a lifeline.
  • We love an open-loop and have some go-to copywriting formulas that we know work 60% of the time, all of the time. 👍
  • Customer data? We don’t start writing without it. Surveys, interviews, reviews… we need them.


To truly excel in this field, copywriters must develop and continuously refine the following essential skills:

  • Emotional appeals and persuasive language
  • Creating urgency and scarcity
  • Writing clear, compelling calls to action
  • Understanding consumer psychology
  • Crafting benefit-focused messaging
  • Adapting voice for different brands and audiences
  • Writing for various formats (ads, emails, landing pages)
  • Understanding the basics of design and how it impacts copy
  • Collaboration with designers and marketers
  • Segmentation and customer journey mapping


Successful copywriters have a toolbox of proven techniques at their disposal. These methods have been honed over decades of marketing experience and are backed by psychological principles and consumer behavior studies. By mastering these key techniques, copywriters can craft messages that resonate deeply with their target audience and drive desired actions:

  • Leveraging proven copywriting formulas.
  • Features vs. Benefits and Before-and-After Bridges
  • Social proof and testimonials
  • Risk reversal (guarantees, free trials)
  • Storytelling in short-form
  • Timing and messaging sequencing based on buying lifecycles

Content Writing: The Craft of Engagement

Content writing is the marathon to copywriting’s sprint. It’s about building relationships, establishing authority, and creating value that keeps readers coming back for more.

Here’s what separates the content writing wheat from the chaff:

  • If you’re not obsessed with your audience, you’re doing it wrong
  • SEO isn’t just about keywords. It’s about intent
  • Can you make complex topics simple? That’s your superpower


Content writing is a multifaceted discipline that requires a diverse set of skills. To truly excel in this area, writers need to be more than just wordsmiths; they must be strategists, researchers, and storytellers all rolled into one.

Here are the critical competencies that every content writer should strive to master:

  • In-depth research, fact-checking, citing reputable sources
  • Storytelling and narrative structure
  • SEO best practices and keyword optimization
  • Creating valuable, shareable content
  • Adapting tone and style for different audiences
  • Content strategy and editorial planning
  • Data analysis to inform content decisions
  • Multimedia content creation (or collaboration with designers)
  • Understanding of content distribution channels


Successful content writers employ a variety of techniques to create engaging, valuable, and effective content. These methods go beyond basic writing skills, encompassing everything from research and planning to optimization and distribution. By mastering these key techniques, content writers can consistently produce high-quality work that resonates with their audience and achieves marketing goals:

  • Topical research and implementation
  • Creating compelling headlines and meta descriptions
  • Structuring content for readability (headings, bullet points, etc.)
  • Incorporating data and statistics effectively
  • Developing content calendars
  • Creating evergreen content
  • Updating and repurposing existing content
  • Crafting content upgrades and lead magnets

The Storytelling Showdown

Both copywriters and content writers are storytellers. But they’re writing different genres.

Copywriters? They’re writing flash fiction. Every word counts. Every sentence sells. It’s a sprint to conversion.

Content writers? They’re crafting a novel. Building worlds. Developing characters. It’s a marathon of engagement.

But here’s where it gets interesting: The best writers? They can do both. They’re literary chameleons, adapting their style to the medium, the message, and the audience.

Copywriters wield stories as precision tools, crafting narratives that spark immediate action.

Here’s how they do it:

  • Create emotional connections quickly
  • Use before-and-after scenarios
  • Employ “micro-narratives” in headlines and taglines
  • Address and overcomes objections within the story
  • Leverage customer stories and testimonials
  • Use sensory language to make benefits tangible


Content marketers use stories to build lasting connections and brand loyalty.

Their approach includes:

  • Educating through narrative
  • Showcasing brand values through in-depth stories
  • Creating series and continuity across multiple pieces
  • Encouraging user-generated content and community-building
  • Using data and visuals to tell complex stories and simplify complicated concepts
  • Developing brand personas and consistent character voices

The Rules: Know Them. Break Them.

You’ve heard it before. “Short copy converts.” “Long-form content ranks.”

Forget it all.

Long-form sales pages? They exist. They work. When done right, they’re money in the bank.

Snappy, SEO-optimized micro-content? It’s a thing. And it can drive traffic like nobody’s business.

The point? Know the rules.

Then break them, strategically.

Breaking Copywriting Rules for Maximum Impact

The most effective copywriters understand that conventions are guidelines, not shackles. They recognize when to adhere to tried-and-true methods and when to throw the rulebook out the window for maximum impact. Let’s explore some counterintuitive approaches that, when used strategically, can elevate your copywriting from good to extraordinary:

  • Long-form copy can work wonders in emails and sales pages
  • Occasionally, subtlety trumps directness – skipping the hard sell can yield better results
  • Leading with features can outperform benefits for tech-savvy audiences
  • Humor can be effective, even for “serious” products
  • Breaking the fourth wall can create intimacy with the reader

Let’s take a step back and talk about that second point…

It’s counterintuitive, but sometimes, not asking for the sale can be more powerful than a hard sell. Think of brand awareness campaigns or top-of-funnel content. Your goal might be to build trust or create intrigue. In these cases, a soft CTA (like “Learn More”), or no CTA at all can be more effective. It’s about playing the long game, letting the audience come to you when they’re ready.

Remember: Not every interaction needs to end in a sale – sometimes, you’re planting seeds for future conversions.

It’s like when one of my mentors, Ryan Deiss, talks about the 12 stages of intimacy in marketing. Asking for marriage out of the gate when you first meet someone is creepy. Throw a little something out there to see where it lands with the audience. See if they come back for more or dig a little deeper on their own. Follow your customers’ lead, make sure the path to the next step of their journey is clear so that they can keep going if they so choose. Giving your audience some control over their adventure instead of forcing them through the customer journey is Human Experience Optimization at its finest.

Content Marketing Rules That Were Made to be Broken

The most successful content marketers aren’t afraid to push boundaries, experiment with new approaches, and occasionally flip the script entirely. Let’s explore some unconventional strategies that can breathe new life into your content marketing efforts and set you apart from the competition:

  • Promotional content can provide value and drive conversions
  • Venturing outside your niche can attract a broader audience
  • Experimenting with voice and tone can showcase brand versatility
  • Contradicting popular opinions (with data) can drive engagement
  • Multimedia content can outperform traditional blog posts

Potential Shortfalls and the Power of Collaboration

While both copywriting and content marketing are powerful tools in their own right, practitioners of each discipline can sometimes fall into specific pitfalls. Understanding these potential shortcomings and fostering collaboration between copywriters and content marketers can lead to incredible results.

Potential Shortfalls of Copywriters

Copywriters excel at crafting persuasive messages, but they’re not immune to pitfalls. Understanding these common shortcomings can help both copywriters and those who work with them to create more effective, well-rounded content. Let’s examine some of the common areas that copywriters tend to be lacking:

  • Lack of Deep Product Knowledge: Copywriters often focus on crafting persuasive messages without delving deeply into product specifics. This can result in missed opportunities to address known objections or highlight key features that could be decisive for well-informed customers.
  • Overemphasis on Emotion: While emotional appeals are powerful, overreliance on them at the expense of factual information can leave some audiences unconvinced.
  • Short-term Focus: Copywriters may sometimes prioritize immediate conversions over long-term brand building and customer education.
  • Overlooking SEO: In focusing on persuasive language, copywriters might neglect SEO best practices, potentially limiting the reach of their content.

Potential Shortfalls of Content Marketers

Content marketers are adept at creating valuable, informative content, but they too face challenges that can limit the effectiveness of their work. Here are some common pitfalls that content marketers should be aware of:

  • Missed Promotional Opportunities: Content marketers may be so focused on providing value that they overlook chances to subtly promote products or services.
  • Lack of Persuasive Techniques: Without copywriting skills, content can become purely informational, missing opportunities to guide readers towards desired actions.
  • Engagement Issues: Some content marketers struggle to maintain reader interest, especially when dealing with complex or technical topics. (AKA they have a more natural proclivity to create boring content)
  • Weak Calls-to-Action: Content pieces might provide great information but fail to effectively encourage the next step in the customer journey.

The Power of Collaboration

There’s incredible power in harnessing the best of copy and content. When you can effectively leverage both, your audience will feel the confidence of being well informed, while also being ready to make the leap to purchase as if it was their idea all along.

Here’s how:

  • Comprehensive Research: Content teams can provide copywriters with in-depth product knowledge and industry insights, enabling them to create more informed, persuasive copy that addresses potential objections.
  • Emotional Depth in Content: Copywriters can guide content marketers in incorporating emotional triggers and proven persuasion points into longer-form content, making it more engaging and effective.
  • Balanced Messaging: Collaboration ensures a balance between emotional appeals and factual information, catering to different audience preferences and decision-making styles.
  • Improved Customer Journey Mapping: By combining the short-term conversion focus of copywriters with the long-term relationship building of content marketers, teams can create more comprehensive customer journey strategies.
  • SEO-Friendly Persuasive Content: Content marketers can help copywriters optimize their work for search engines, while copywriters can help make SEO-driven content more persuasive and action-oriented.
  • Enhanced Storytelling: Copywriters can help content marketers craft more compelling narratives, while content marketers can provide the depth and detail to make these stories more substantive and valuable.
  • Effective CTAs Across All Content: Copywriters can help content marketers develop stronger, more strategic calls-to-action, while content marketers can help ensure CTAs are contextually appropriate and value-aligned.

Implementing Collaborative Practices

Turning theory into practice, here are key strategies to blend the strengths of copywriters and content marketers if your organization has the option to employ or utilize both:

  • Cross-Training: Provide opportunities for copywriters and content marketers to learn from each other through workshops or skill-sharing sessions.
  • Collaborative Projects: Assign projects that require input from both copywriters and content marketers to foster natural collaboration.
  • Shared Resources: Create shared knowledge bases where insights from both disciplines can be pooled and accessed by all team members.
  • Regular Brainstorming Sessions: Hold joint brainstorming sessions to tackle marketing challenges from both perspectives.
  • Feedback Loops: Implement systems for copywriters and content marketers to provide feedback on each other’s work.


By recognizing the potential shortfalls of each discipline and actively fostering collaboration between copywriters and content marketers, organizations can create more holistic, effective marketing strategies. This balanced approach ensures that marketing efforts are both persuasive and informative, emotionally resonant and factually grounded, driving both short-term conversions and long-term brand loyalty.

The Unicorn: Jack of All Trades, Master of Two

Some say you can’t master both copy and content. They’re wrong.

While we’ve discussed the distinct skills of copywriters and content marketers and the power of their collaboration, there’s another approach worth considering: hiring a “unicorn” – a professional who excels in both copywriting and content marketing. These versatile individuals can be invaluable assets to a marketing team, but they come with their own set of considerations.

The unicorn – the writer who can swing from snappy slogans to in-depth articles – exists. They’re rare. They’re valuable. They’re the future.

But beware.

Claiming to be a unicorn is easy. Being one? That’s a whole different ball game.

Advantages of hiring a unicorn:

  • Versatility: A unicorn can seamlessly switch between crafting persuasive copy and creating in-depth content, providing flexibility in content creation.
  • Consistency: With one person handling both copywriting and content marketing, there’s often greater consistency in voice and messaging across all content.
  • Efficiency: Having one person who can handle multiple content needs can streamline processes and potentially reduce costs.
  • Holistic Strategy: A professional versed in both disciplines can develop more integrated marketing strategies that leverage the strengths of both copywriting and content marketing.
  • Bridging the Gap: These individuals can serve as effective liaisons between specialized copywriters and content marketers, facilitating better collaboration.


Challenges and considerations of hiring a unicorn:

  • Rarity: True unicorns are rare. Many professionals may claim expertise in both areas but truly excelling in both is uncommon. If you don’t know what to look for, you could be duped and your messaging may suffer as a result.
  • Jack of All Trades, Master of None: There’s a risk that a generalist might not have the depth of expertise that specialists in each area would possess.
  • Workload Management: Tasking one person with both copywriting and content marketing responsibilities could lead to burnout if not managed carefully.
  • Lack of Diverse Perspectives: Having multiple specialists can bring varied viewpoints and ideas, which might be lost with a single generalist.
  • Higher Compensation: Given their rare skill set, unicorns often command higher salaries than specialists in either copywriting or content marketing alone.

What to Look for When Hiring a Unicorn

If you’re not a copywriter by trade or have never hired and mentored a writer and your aim is to hire a unicorn, just know that you’re going to want to ensure that you really know what to look for. Here are some key areas where you should pay particular attention when you embark on your hunt:

  • Diverse Portfolio: Look for a range of work that demonstrates both copywriting skills (ads, landing pages, email campaigns) and content marketing abilities (blog posts, whitepapers, long-form articles).
  • Adaptability: Assess their ability to shift tone, style, and approach for different audiences and platforms.
  • Strategic Thinking: They should demonstrate an understanding of how copywriting and content marketing fit into broader marketing strategies.
  • Results-Oriented: Look for candidates who can show measurable results from both their copywriting and content marketing efforts.
  • Continuous Learning: The marketing landscape evolves rapidly. Seek individuals committed to ongoing education in both disciplines.
  • Technical Skills: Proficiency in SEO, analytics tools, and content management systems is crucial.
  • Collaboration Skills: Even unicorns need to work with others. Ensure they can effectively collaborate with other team members and departments.

Integrating a Unicorn into Your Team

Unicorns require a different management approach than a specialist due to their versatility. When companies find multi-tool players like content unicorns, they tend to make many mistakes that turn what could have been a mutually beneficial relationship into something regrettable. Here’s how to properly integrate a unicorn into your team, and things to consider so that you don’t sap the life out of such a potentially valuable team member:

  • Clear Role Definition: Clearly outline expectations and responsibilities to avoid overload.
  • Balanced Workload: Ensure a mix of both copywriting and content marketing tasks to maintain their skills in both areas.
  • Professional Development: Provide opportunities for continued growth in both disciplines.
  • Leverage Their Insights: Use their unique perspective to inform overall marketing strategies and to train other team members.
  • Pair with Specialists: When possible, have them work alongside dedicated copywriters and content marketers to maintain exposure to specialized expertise.

Is a Unicorn Right for Your Organization?

One would think that once you are blessed enough to cross paths with the mythical content unicorn you should snatch them up. Before jumping at the opportunity to hire one of these rare gems, I encourage you to take a step back. Hiring a unicorn may not be ideal for your organization.

Here are a few things to consider regarding hiring a unicorn for your company:

  • Company Size: Smaller companies or startups might benefit more from a versatile unicorn, while larger organizations might prefer specialists.
  • Content Needs: If your content needs are diverse but not voluminous enough to justify multiple specialists, a unicorn could be ideal.
  • Budget: Consider whether your budget allows for a higher-paid generalist or if it’s more cost-effective to hire specialists.
  • Team Structure: Think about how a unicorn would fit into your existing team structure and workflow.


While unicorns can be incredibly valuable, they’re not always the right solution for every organization. Carefully consider your specific needs, resources, and long-term content strategy when deciding between hiring specialists, fostering collaboration, or seeking out a unicorn.

The Evaluation: Separating the Pros from the Pretenders

Hiring a copywriter or content writer? Here are the basics to consider for each:

Considerations for Copywriters

There’s levels to this copywriter business. Experience has a lot to do with it, but we want to really understand the value of their output and how deeply they can contribute to the desired end result. Here are some considerations for each level:

  • Junior: Can they write a headline that makes you want to click? Look for: Basic persuasive writing skills, an understanding of marketing principles.
  • Mid-level: Can they tell you why that headline works? Look for: Experience with A/B testing, and understanding of customer psychology.
  • Senior: Can they build a strategy around that headline? Look for: Strategic thinking, and the ability to develop comprehensive copy strategies.


Sample questions to ask:

  • Junior: “How would you approach writing copy for a new product launch?”
  • Mid-level: “Describe a time when you improved conversion rates through copywriting. What was your process?”
  • Senior: “How do you approach creating a cohesive copy strategy across multiple channels and touchpoints?”

What to Consider When Hiring Content Writers

Like copywriters, not all content writers are created equal. So what’s most important at every level? Let’s take a quick look at a few considerations:

  • Junior: Can they explain a complex topic simply? Look for: Strong writing skills, basic SEO knowledge, and research abilities.
  • Mid-level: Can they make that explanation rank on Google and stand up against competitors as far as helpfulness, authority, and trust? Look for: Advanced SEO skills, content strategy development, and analytics proficiency.
  • Senior: Can they build an entire content ecosystem around that topic? Look for: Leadership skills, deep understanding of audience segmentation, and content distribution expertise.


Sample questions to ask:

  • Junior: “How do you ensure your content is original and not just restating what competitors have said?”
  • Mid-level: “Walk me through your process for creating a piece of content, from idea to publication.”
  • Senior: “How would you develop a content strategy for our company? Walk me through your approach.”

Remember: A portfolio isn’t enough. Ask for results. Demand data. The proof is in the performance.

These questions are not exhaustive. They are simply examples of the depth of questions that you would ask as you search for expertise at varying levels.

And while you’re at it… here’s some red flags that you should look out for when hiring writers. These are just as important as identifying qualifications, expertise, and experience, and they often sneakily pop up during interviews and deep dives. Here’s what to be on the lookout for:

  • Inability to provide specific examples of past work and results
  • Lack of process or structure in their approach to writing
  • Over-reliance on templates or formulaic approaches
  • Disinterest in analytics or measuring the impact of their work
  • Inability to explain how they research audiences or topics
  • Utilizing old SEO and content marketing tactics that no longer work
  • Depending on competitor analysis too heavily to develop content versus leaning into subject expertise and searching for differentiation


Now, these red flags aren’t immediate disqualifiers. Just be sure that if they pop up you make it a point to dig deeper and probe for more details and specifics. Interviews are tough and not everyone has perfect answers. Give people a chance to fill in gaps and provide more specifics if they can. If they struggle to, beat around the bush, allude to theory and can’t speak to specifics it may be an indicator of a lack of experience or understanding. From there you can decide if you would like to provide training for a particular gap, or if that gap poses a threat and can’t be ignored.

The Money Talk: Who Gets Paid What

Let’s cut to the chase. Money matters.

On average? Copywriters edge out content writers in salary. But barely.

The real money? It’s in the results. A copywriter who can 10x conversions? They’re worth their weight in gold.

A content writer who can dominate a niche? They’re not far behind.

The lesson? Don’t chase titles. Chase impact.

Salary Insights for Writers

Here’s a quick look at how writers of all levels are grossing from a general sense. Note that there are outliers so don’t take these numbers as gospel. Your industry, the level of expertise that you command, and various other factors can cause these numbers to swing either way so keep that in mind.

  • Content Marketers: Average $62,000/year in the US
  • Copywriters: Average $67,000/year in the US
  • Experienced professionals in both fields can earn $100,000+
  • Freelancers and specialists often command higher rates
  • “Unicorns” skilled in both areas are typically top earners

Entry-level positions:

  • Content Writers: $40,000 – $50,000
  • Copywriters: $35,000 – $45,000

Mid-level positions:

  • Content Marketing Managers: $70,000 – $90,000
  • Senior Copywriters: $75,000 – $95,000

Top-level positions:

  • Content Strategy Directors: $100,000 – $150,000+
  • Creative Directors (Copy): $120,000 – $200,000+

Factors influencing salaries:

  • Industry (tech, finance often pay more)
  • Location (major cities tend to offer higher salaries)
  • Company size and budget
  • Experience level
  • Specialized skills (e.g., direct response copywriting, technical writing often higher-paid)
  • Measurable results and ROI
  • Education and certifications
  • Direct response copywriting skills (often higher-paid)
  • Agency vs. in-house positions

Freelance vs. In-House Considerations

Both Copywriters and Content Marketers can often earn more as freelancers or consultants, especially if they build a strong reputation. However, this comes with the trade-off of less job security and the need to manage one’s own business. Here’s what we’ve seen for rates.

Freelance hourly rates for writers at various levels

  • Junior Copywriters: $40 – $80/hour
  • Experienced Copywriters: $100 – $250/hour
  • Junior Content Writers: $30 – $50/hour
  • Experienced Content Writers: $70 – $150/hour
  • Specialist Writers (Technical, Medical, etc.): $100 – $300+/hour

Remember: These are averages. Your mileage may vary. Negotiate based on value, not just market rates.

Salary Considerations for “Unicorns”

Professionals skilled in both copywriting and content marketing (“unicorns”) often command higher salaries due to their versatility. Their ability to handle a wide range of content needs makes them valuable assets to many organizations.

The Bottom Line: What It Means for You

While average salaries show a slight edge for Copywriters, individual earning potential in both fields is largely determined by:

  • Skill level and expertise
  • Years of experience
  • Industry and location
  • Ability to demonstrate ROI
  • Negotiation skills


Both Content Marketing and Copywriting offer strong career paths with good earning potential. The choice between the two should be based more on individual interests, skills, and career goals rather than solely on potential salary.

For employers, it’s important to consider the specific needs of your organization and the value that skilled professionals in either field can bring to your marketing efforts. Sometimes, investing in high-quality talent – whether in copywriting, content marketing, or both – can yield significant returns in terms of marketing effectiveness and business growth.

Whether you’re hiring or looking to be hired, understand this:

  • Know what you need. A sales page isn’t a blog post. A white paper isn’t a tweet.
  • Respect the craft. Both crafts. They’re different but equally vital.
  • Look for versatility, but don’t expect miracles. Even unicorns have limits.
  • Invest in quality. Cheap content is expensive if you have to clean up their mess.
  • Measure everything. What gets measured gets improved.
  • Foster collaboration. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
  • Never stop learning. The industry evolves. So should you.

The Wrap-Up: Your Next Move

Copywriting vs content writing isn’t a battle. It’s a dance. Sometimes in perfect sync, sometimes stepping on each other’s toes, but always moving forward.

Your job? Whether you’re the writer or the one calling the shots, know the steps. Appreciate the nuances. And never, ever underestimate the power of the right words in the right place.

Because in the end, that’s what it’s all about. The right words. The right place. The right time.

Now, go make it happen. Your audience is waiting.