Speaking with many content people and publishers, one of the most common misunderstandings we see is the difference between copywriting and copy editing.
We often get asked if our editors will also write content for websites.
By the way, the answer is yes, through our SEO content writing services, where we write SEO-focused blog posts.
That said, copywriting and copy editing are two very different skill sets. Copywriters (which are different from writers who write blog posts, but that’s for another article) are often not great copy editors, which is more technical than creative, and copy editors are also not usually great copywriters, which is the persuasive sales-focused language used on web pages, in advertisements, and more.
In short, copywriting focuses on creating persuasive copy that meets the business’s or its client’s goals. Copy editing focuses on the technical aspects of language and ensures that the copy follows editorial guidelines.
What Is Copywriting?
Copywriting is a professional discipline that focuses on creating copy that converts readers into website visitors or visitors into customers.
A copywriter’s focus is copy, or text, that converts and meets the business goal. Because copywriting is a professional discipline more akin to trades like plumbing than formal schooling, copywriters work for years to hone their craft by creating persuasive copy that accomplishes business goals.
Many people lump all writers into the category of “copywriters.” Still, the technical definition of copywriting is someone writing copy for sales pages or ads meant to convert. People writing blog posts and editorial content are more accurately called “writers.”
If you’re looking for a “copywriter,” most sites will show you lists of or help you hire freelance copywriters who work for clients as outside contractors. There are also many world-class copywriters in the industry, such as Joel Klettke, Lianna Patch, and Joanna Wiebe (plus her network of copywriters at Copyhackers).
What Is Copy Editing?
Copy editing is a professional discipline that focuses on the technical aspects of language. Copy editors are detail-oriented professionals who know the language and its technical aspects and how to edit to a specific style or custom style guide at a deep level. They understand the different language styles (MLA, AP, Chicago, etc.) and how to form text to meet those standards.
Copy editing is usually the third or fourth step in the editing process, after line editing but before proofreading. After the copy has been reviewed for correctness and structure, it is edited down to be as concise and tight as possible. Then, a copy editor takes over to ensure the copy adheres to editorial style guide standards for that specific website or publication.
If you search for “copy editor,” search engines should show you sites with copy editors who are either available freelance or from a service like EditorNinja.
Are Copywriters Also Copy Editors?
Copywriters are not necessarily copy editors, and vice versa, but they can be. Many of EditorNinja’s editors are also writers in their own right and have produced books and plays in various genres of interest to them.
However, it is worth noting that copywriters and copy editors are different.
What Are The Differences?
Both copywriting and copy editing revolve around the written word (aka “copy”). Copywriting creates content that persuades and converts, whereas copy editing ensures written copy adheres to specified guidelines.
Copywriting and copy editing are different areas that work together to produce copy that reads well and converts for businesses.
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