What Is the Difference Between Copy Editing and Copywriting?

It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that being a copywriter is just like being a copy editor. However, copywriting and copy editing are two different skills. Understanding these various differences will help you find the correct professional help to ensure that your paper lives up to the best standards (nine10, 2021).

What is Copy Editing?

Copy editing is generally used to refer to the process of reviewing the written content, such as scholarly and scientific articles, and ensuring that the paper has the correct spelling, grammar, and the factual accuracy expected to be published in a journal. This is a very detailed process, requiring the copy editor to find the most miss-able of errors (Krawcyzk, 2022).

There are different style rules that copy editors focus on. For example, while eContent Pro (eCPro) focuses on academic and scholarly articles, other copy editors may focus on other marketing material and are expected to ensure that the paper adheres to the style guidelines along with the intended tone. In some disciplines, copy editors are also expected to work on fact-checking or proofreading the paper. One thing that copy editors consider is that the paper should not only be free of any spelling and grammatical errors but also that the paper flows smoothly, using the tone that matches the message. Copy editors are also likely to work in a multitude of different formats, such as book manuscripts, company reports, and magazine articles (Maryville University, 2020).

What is Copywriting?

Copywriting, on the other hand, does not involve reviewing a paper that is already written. It is concerned with creating an original piece that is likely to appeal to a specific audience. When using a copywriter, an individual is trusting someone to write about their business in a way that will promote that business in an interesting, engaging way. Copywriters are also involved with writing content for websites. In this case, the copywriters need to write their piece in a way that compliments the structure of the website and will help direct search engine traffic to the business, often by integrating search engine optimization (nine10, 2021).

Copywriters work with businesses more than individuals. They usually are employed by advertising or web content agencies and are often expected to brainstorm advertising ideas and create visual media content. Within these companies, they sometimes will manage social media accounts and write blog pieces to help with advertising that business’s services (Maryville University, 2020).

Although copywriters craft new pieces while copy editors work on reviewing and correcting inaccuracies, they are connected and inseparable in many ways. Because copywriters are expected to produce a lot of material in a short amount of time, that material may not always be up to the business’s standards. Copy editors use their experience to immediately spot the places in the text that need to be reviewed, removing unnecessary wording and cleaning up the text. Together, they are able to ensure that the content produced lives up to the business’s expectations (nine10, 2021).

Final Thoughts

As publishing is an important pillar of building a standout research profile, it is paramount to make use of available editorial services, many of which are available on the eContent Pro website. Services such asEnglish Language Copyediting, Scientific and Scholarly Copyediting, Journal Selection, and many other related services will greatly improve your chances of getting your manuscript accepted into a journal. You will findeContent Pro’s editorial servicess to be top quality, turned around exceptionally quickly (typically in 2-3 days with no additional charge), and affordably priced. Here are what our satisfied customers are saying about eContent Pro Author Services: