Electing to use article marketing as a source of driving traffic to your business is the most stable form of advertising. It requires a basic knowledge of two disciplines, copywriting and article writing. Just what is the difference between the two?

Copywriting

In its simplest form, copywriting is nothing more than using your words to convince a reader to buy your product. It is consumer psychology 101. Unconsciously we use it verbally everyday. It comes naturally to us. We use it with our friends, our enemies, and our families. It is a simple technique.

Have you ever asked anyone to choose between two items? You probably have. What you have done is create a picture in the person's mind of the two choices. Most often that person's brain has focused on those two things and on no others. You have controlled the outcome of his decision by limiting his choice to one of the two items.

That is just one of the many techniques that you can use to motivate readers to take action. Other examples include offering pleasure vs. pain, gain over loss,... As you can see, copywriting stirs emotion. You use words to paint a picture in the brain that evokes an emotion. The emotion then converts into action. You, the copywriter, direct that emotion to buy your product.

Can you be a copywriter? Of course, you can. It is a writing skill. It is a learned skill. With practice, you can accomplish anything. Remember, you use it naturally in your everyday speech.

Article Writing

I am sure you are familiar with this form of writing. In its purest form, it provides nothing but information to a reader. It solves a problem, gives instructions, or it may just spout an opinion. Article writing is much less a form of advertising than its brother, copywriting. The author is selling his information to the reader, not necessarily selling a product. Readers of this form of writing, for the most part, do not expect buy something after reading the article.

Article writing is also a learned skill. You are not required to have the imagination of Jules Verne or F. Scott Fitzgerald. Have you ever written yourself a "to do" list? Have you jotted down a reminder note to yourself? Sure, you have. Well, then, you can write an article. If you can read, you can write an article.

The Difference

Perhaps, now you see the difference. Copywriting sells. Article writing informs. When we combine the two skills we have a very powerful tool, article marketing.