The roles of a copywriter, copyeditor and proofreader explained

​​​Not sure who to hire for your writing project? This quick read explains each writing role and why they're all essential.

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Confused about what a writer, copywriter, copyeditor and proofreader do? If you're working on creating content — perhaps for your business, blog or personal brand — it's important to know who does what. Understanding the differences and knowing who to call on at each stage of the writing process can make a huge difference in the quality of your content.

First things first: writers are the folks who do the writing.

But when you want to sell, persuade or get someone to take action, you need a copywriter. They specialise in writing compelling, action-driven content like ads, product descriptions, blog articles or social media posts.

Once the writing’s done, it's time for the copyeditor. They'll review your content for clarity, consistency, style and flow. They're the person who polishes your work, making sure it reads well and looks professional.

And finally, we have proofreaders — the superheroes who catch those little typos, punctuation mistakes and grammar errors that sneak through. Their work is the final step in making sure everything's perfect and ready to publish.

Why do they all matter? Let's paint a picture.

Don't let small mistakes cost you: Why you need a writing pro

Imagine you've just written a press release for your business and you're ready to send it out to the media. You give it a quick glance and think, "It looks fine, no big deal," so you send it out. But what happens if the release gets picked up by a major news outlet — and it has confusing phrasing, off-brand tone or factual errors? Your release is now all over the internet, your credibility is called into question, and you're left scrambling to do damage control.

Little typos might not seem like a big deal, but they can cause big headaches for your business or brand. Unclear or sloppy content may confuse your audience or, worse, hurt your reputation. A writing pro helps you avoid that by ensuring your message is clear and error-free.

So, if you're kicking off a new project or fine-tuning one, bringing in an expert can save you time and make sure your message lands just right. After all, great content can make you stand out — and who doesn't want that?

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Stella Logan is an all-in-one Australian content writer, copyeditor and proofreader who can help you cut the fluff and deliver impact.