top of page

Messaging, Content, And Copy – A Quirky Guide To Tell Them Apart

  • Jul 10, 2023
  • 3 min read

Updated: Aug 5, 2024

Written by: Renèe Hughes, Executive Contributor

Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.

Executive Contributor Renèe Hughes

In the wacky world of marketing and communication, three characters often show up: Messaging, Content, and Copy. Each with their own quirks and roles, they're like the Three Stooges of the marketing world. So, grab your popcorn, sit back, and prepare to be entertained as we dive into their differences!

A shot of a laptop and notepad in a table.

1. Messaging: The charming charmer

Smooth talkers and snappy taglines


Ah, Messaging, the smooth talker of the bunch. They are the foundational stars of the show and nothing happens until messaging is solid. They're all about conveying the core ideas and value propositions of a brand. Picture them in a snazzy suit, armed with a snappy tagline and a charming smile. Their objective is to win hearts and minds, delivering the brand's identity with suave confidence. They're the James Bond of the marketing world, leaving audiences shaken and stirred, but definitely intrigued.


2. Content: The educated entertainer

Information superstars and storytelling


Ninjas Now, meet Content, they are your message in many formats, the educated entertainer who loves to steal the show. They're all about providing valuable information, resources, and entertainment to the audience. Think of them as a mix between a professor and a stand-up comedian. They'll educate you on a topic while keeping you entertained with their witty anecdotes and clever storytelling. They're the life of the marketing party, leaving audiences laughing, learning, and wanting more.


3. Copy: The persuasive artist

The art of subtle persuasion... or not


Welcome to the witty land of copy, where words hold the power to make you fall in love with a product, burst into laughter, or even question your own sanity. Copy is the suave and persuasive cousin of messaging and content, armed with a singular purpose: to make you take action. It's the master of seduction, whispering sweet nothings that make the reader want to take action. It's an art form that can make you laugh, cry, or wonder if you've accidentally stumbled into an alternate dimension.


Key Differences


a. Roles & Responsibilities

  • Messaging: The stars of the show, Smooth talkers armed with snappy taglines and charming smiles and a compelling presence.

  • Content: Educated entertainers who mix valuable information with witty storytelling in a variety of formats

  • Copy: Artists using written persuasive language to make the audience take action.

b. In action:

  • Messaging: Snazzy taglines and suave mission statements at the core of it all

  • Content: Educational articles, entertaining videos, and hilarious podcasts.

  • Copy: Cleverly crafted ads, emails, and product descriptions.

c. Bottom line focus:

  • Messaging: Conveying the brand's identity and value proposition.

  • Content: Educating, entertaining, and leaving audiences wanting more.

  • Copy: Persuading the audience into taking action.

Conclusion


In the wild and wonderful world of Marketing, Messaging, Content, and Copy each brings their unique flair to the stage. Messaging is foundational and copy and content can’t stand without it. It sweet-talks the audience while making clear what your brand is really all about. Content takes that foundation and educates and entertains in a variety of platforms. Finally, Copy pulls it all together with artful words of persuasion. Together, they form a marketing dream team, capturing attention, winning hearts, and driving action.


Follow me on Instagram, LinkedIn, and visit my website for more info!

Renèe Hughes Brainz Magazine

Renèe Hughes, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine

Renee Hughes is the CEO & Founder of The Aromaspecialists. She is a trailblazing aromatherapist and mentor who has shattered the myth that success in the clinical holistic industry requires endless hours and burnout. With a part-time approach, Renee has not only achieved remarkable financial success but has also supported hundreds of clinical business owners through her masterclasses and workshops.

Renee's mission is to help licensed and certified clinical and holistic business owners effectively communicate their value. While guiding them to the realization that a thriving business and personal well-being can coexist harmoniously.

 
 

This article is published in collaboration with Brainz Magazine’s network of global experts, carefully selected to share real, valuable insights.

Article Image

When a Career You Love Ends and What to Do Next?

Over the past few years, a quiet storm has been building across industries once considered ‘buzzing’, reliable careers. What began as temporary pandemic-era shifts has escalated into a substantial...

Article Image

How Delays in Access to Work Applications Impact Job Security and Business Finances

There is a huge backlog in the number of new or existing Access to Work applications being processed, which drastically affects the level of job security and employer finances. That’s according to...

Article Image

Following Trends vs. Following Your DNA – Which Approach Leads to Better Wellness?

What if the secret to your health has been hidden in your DNA all along? The silent code guiding your every move. How genetics may explain what lifestyle advice often cannot.

Article Image

Unshakeable Confidence Under Pressure and 7 Neuroscience Hacks When It Matters Most

Unshakeable confidence is not loud, it is steady. It is what lets you think clearly, speak calmly, and make decisions when the stakes are high and the room is watching. If you have ever felt confident in...

Article Image

Why How You Show Up Matters More Than What You Know

We often overestimate how much executive presence is about what we know and underestimate how much it is about how we show up. In reality, executive presence is roughly 20% knowledge and 80% presence...

Article Image

Why Talking About Sex Can Kill Desire and What to Do Instead

For many of us, “good communication” has been framed as the gold standard of intimacy. We’re told that if we could just talk more openly about sex, our needs, fantasies, and frustrations, then desire...

Why High Performers Need to Learn Self-Regulation

How to Engage When Someone Openly Disagrees with You

How to Parent When Your Nervous System is Stuck in Survival Mode

But Won’t Couples Therapy Just Make Things Worse?

The Father Wound Success Women Don't Talk About

Why the Grand Awakening Is a Call to Conscious Leadership

Why Stress, Not You, Is Causing Your Sleep Problems

Healthy Love, Unhealthy Love, and the Stories We Inherited

Faith, Family, and the Cost of Never Pausing

bottom of page