Copywriter/Content Writer - which one?

I'll soon be looking for help with the written content for a new hosting company web site, but I'm a bit confused whether I should be looking for a copywriter, content writer, or both.

We want help with the written content of the new site. The work would require co-operation between us (our company), the designer, and the copy/content writer, with work & ideas flowing in different directions as the design and copy was being worked on, and adapted, towards the finished web site.

I suppose the ultimate aim of the copy is to sell our services, but at the same time we need to impart information.

What type of writer do you think we should be looking for. A copywriter, a content writer, or both?

 

Copywriting is a way to promote a person, company, etc...so it's more geared towards what you're looking for. This specific style of writing isn't something that all content writers will possess. Most "content" writers are just writing or rewriting informative articles that are usually targetted for SE results.

There's one copywriter on DP that sticks out from the bunch as a possible candidate for your project, just from what I've seen on here. jhmattern specializes in a variety of fields that seem to relate to what you're looking for. You can find out more information about her site right here. I don't know her personally but she seems like a good choice for the job, simply by the way she presents herself.

Ultimately, if you want to hire someone from DP you'll have to wait a few weeks to make a thread in the Content Creation section. Otherwise, you can view services offered by DP members to see if there's anyone that seems qualified to take up your project - just go and take a look at this section.

 

As a rule of thumb, if you need to sell something you need a copywriter.

Copywriters write a specialised sort of content, but not all content writers can produce sales copy.

 

Copywriting = Direct, hard selling.

Content writing = Articles, information, blogs, etc.

 

So, does this imply that copywriters = more expensive?

 

copy writing = sales letter

content writing = informing/entertaining visitors and building traffic

 

If you want the basic copy for your new site (homepage, service pages, about page, etc.), then you want a copywriter. All of those pages are copy; not content. That's because they all serve a purpose of influencing the visitor, even if subtly (and despite what one person said here, copywriting does NOT only mean direct hard selling - not by a long shot).

Are copywriters more expensive? Possibly. But you're comparing apples and oranges, so you can't judge the price of one versus the other. Sure, you could just hire a cheap content writer. But your conversions will suffer -- not a smart move. Just like in content writing, you'll find prices run the gamut based on things like experience. You can probably get a new copywriter quite affordably, but in that case you'll want to verify they have some kind of marketing expertise (without it, they won't know how to research your market appropriately). Just make sure you don't hire a content writer who claims they know how to write copy, unless they can back it up. Many, if not most, writers here don't know the difference and they'll respond to any ad for writers you post. If they don't know the difference, keep looking.

And Sunhunter - I appreciate the recommendation, but I'm not currently accepting new clients due to a booked schedule for the next several weeks. It's tough enough trying to work in projects existing clients ask for these days.

 

Thanks to everyone for their help in clarifying this. It'll be at least 3-4 weeks before we're ready to start thinking about writing content so hopefully we can make some enquiries in advance with those writers we're interested in speaking to.