A question I’m often asked is “What is the difference between copywriting and technical writing?” If you’re here, you’re probably wondering the same thing.

What is copywriting?

Copywriting is a form of writing which aims to sell and persuade.  All sorts of content is written by copywriters, from various forms of advertising to newsletters, brochures, website content and social media posts.

Good copywriting makes a connection between brands and their readers. It’s memorable and engaging, and turns readers into customers. More importantly, good copywriting inspires people to take a desired action, whether that’s to buy your latest product, subscribe to your newsletter, or download a free eBook.

What is technical writing?

The aim of technical writing is to simplify complex information, making it clear and easy for the reader to understand. It’s about how a product or service works, rather than why you should use it. 

Technical writing is often associated with engineering, technology and software but can be found in any industry.  Some examples of technical writing include user guides, training manuals, and FAQs.

Do these roles overlap?

Yes, the two roles can and often do overlap. This can be known as technical copywriting (my favourite kind of writing). Technical copywriters are adept at explaining technical information and writing persuasively. So if your marketing content includes technical information, then a technical copywriter is well placed to help you.

Technical copywriters work on projects ranging from website content and articles to case studies, brochures and user guides. An example of a technical copywriting project could be a blog article on digital workflows in the publishing industry.

How to decide what kind of writer you need

What kind of writer you need for your project will depend largely on your objectives and who your target readers are.

Here are examples of questions to consider:

• Is
  your objective to sell or promote your business, products or services? Hire a
  copywriter
• Is
  the information in your sales or marketing content technical? A technical
  copywriter can help you here
• Do
  you need to explain to customers how your product or service works? Hire a
  technical writer

Summary

• Copywriting sells and persuades
• Technical writing explains
• Technical copywriting does both

When deciding what kind of writer to hire, consider: What is your objective?

• Are
  you trying to persuade someone to buy
  or do something?
• Are
  you explaining how something works?
• Or
  is it a bit of both?

P.s. If you want to learn more about copywriting, I go into more detail in my post “What is copywriting and why does it matter?”