Many new writers feel unsure whether to focus on ranking content or persuasive storytelling. A wrong turn at this crucial point can significantly impact your productivity and earnings. Therefore, to help you navigate this phase, I’ll unpack SEO vs copywriting, introduce both niches, and highlight their similarities and key differences so you can confidently choose the path that fits your goals.

With that in mind, let’s proceed.

SEO vs copywriting: What differentiates them?

Businesses want results. Regardless of the audience they serve, they share a common goal: increasing visibility and generating sales.

SEO focuses on activities that appeal to humans first, then search engines. This is done through practices and blog posts that primarily inform, educate, or provide value.

The goal is to attract organic traffic and boost discoverability. In simpler terms, it intends to be seen by more searchers. Writing for search engine optimization isn’t complete without prioritizing keywords, search intent, and readability.

Copywriting, on the other hand, is all about persuasion. If your content—whether marketing emails, landing pages, or promotional texts is designed to move readers to take specific action like download a guide, buy a product, or click a link, you’re copywriting.

Copywriters study their target audience’s pain points and proffer solutions that tug at their emotions to drive conversions or sales. For instance, a copywriter can craft a landing page called “Join our freelance writing training and land your first client fast.” Clearly, the focus here is not ranking but conversions.

In real-world writing, situations may demand you wear both hats. Is it really possible to combine both roles? Let’s find out.

Can you be both a copywriter and an SEO expert?

Absolutely. The future of digital writing favors those who offer double value. Brands don’t just want to get seen; they also want to land high-paying customers.

Imagine a client wants to launch a skincare product. SEO adds value by targeting keywords to attract readers. Meanwhile, copywriting converts those readers into paying customers. So one skill gets you visibility while the other seals the deal.

The SEO vs copywriting debate has been ongoing, even though the two are intertwined. Both paths share common skills, such as audience research, tone mastery, and an in-depth understanding of algorithms and humans.

You only need to master the basics of SEO and copywriting. Getting started is easy, especially with free resources available online.

Also Read: Copywriting vs Content Writing: A clear guide to successful freelancing

Relevant skills you’ll need for SEO copywriting

• Keyword research and search intent analysis
• Call-to-action psychology
• Tone and voice consistency
• On-page optimization
• Brand storytelling
• Persuasive writing
• Analytics and content performance tracking

Benefits of combining both SEO and copywriting

Having established that you can combine both skill sets, you should understand it’s a rewarding venture for writers. As someone who has helped brands grow traffic, increase engagement, and boost sales simultaneously, I can confidently say there’s a lot to gain by blending both roles.

Some of these benefits include:
Higher income: Understanding SEO writing and copywriting makes you a high-value asset in the market. You get to earn more than regular writers when you deliver measurable results.

Boosts credibility: Consistently producing high-performing content proves your expertise and versatility

Long-term ROI: Ads may generate one-time revenue, but optimized copy continues to yield benefits long after publication.

Improves reader trust: A well-optimized page will attract more readers because Google favors authentic, valuable, and, most importantly, people-friendly content.

More job opportunities: Brands are always on the lookout for writers who can offer double services, and they’re willing to pay attractive compensation for work well done

Blending SEO’s precision with persuasive clarity gives you an edge over other writers.

What are the common mistakes beginners make when mixing SEO and copywriting?

Sometimes, new SEO copywriters forget their job requires balance. Remember, you’re expected to create high-quality content that prompts action while appealing to algorithms. If you neglect any part of the equation, your performance and results suffer.

To help you find that balance, here are common mistakes to watch out for:

Ignoring SEO: Writing copy without bothering to optimize for search is the secret to staying invisible. You need to rank well in search results for your audience to find you.

Manipulating search engines: Focusing on technicalities like keyword placement or backlinks and ignoring search intent entirely. The result? Robotic writing that performs poorly.

Overstuffing keywords: Using irrelevant keywords or overloading them can affect your readability and signal low-quality content.

Misunderstanding search intent: Ranking for the wrong content can backfire. For example, writing a product ad when readers are looking for a “how-to” guide results in lower dwell time and higher bounce rates

Sounding salesy: As Ann Handley says, good writing serves the reader first. Overly rigid or obvious persuasion puts readers off. Inject personality, empathy, and value so you don’t sound like a boring salesman.

Weak CTAs: Copy without a clear call to action is just a regular post, even if it sits on top of the SERP. Copywriting is incomplete without readers’ marching orders. Tell them what to do next. If possible, show them how.

Ignoring structure: Even if you advertise like David Ogilvy and rhyme like Shakespeare, you’ll lose readers if you fail to structure for visibility. Google rewards a responsive layout, scannable subheadings, and short paragraphs over bulky or poorly formatted text.

Lastly, don’t forget the power storytelling wields. Whether you’re writing an ad or a regular blog, it helps you connect with readers, evoke emotions, and keep them engaged until the end.

Which is more profitable, SEO vs copywriting?

The SEO vs copywriting income argument may seem trivial, but whenever money is involved, nothing remains trivial. The income and profitability of both services depend on the project’s terms and conditions.  Brands rely on copywriters to generate revenue; therefore, they are willing to pay a good amount for results, especially if it’s on contract terms.

SEO skills pay especially if you are looking for long-term profit. There is a high chance you can land retainer gigs and steady projects in this field. You can also earn a good income by choosing lucrative niches such as finance, health, or technology.

While copywriting may offer short-term rewards, SEO continues to deliver long-term benefits. So it doesn’t always have to be the battle of SEO vs copywriting when you can earn double as a hybrid writer.

Writers who position themselves as experts in both skills command higher rates and attract better clients. Your level of expertise determines your income. Ultimately, to earn well, you must continuously refine your skills and demonstrate value over time.

To conclude, debating SEO vs copywriting and deciding on one is a personal choice. Only ensure that you dot all your i’s and cross all your Ts before taking the big leap.