Need to hire someone to write for your company but don’t know exactly what type of professional to look for? The confusion is common: copywriter, content writer, ghostwriter, UX writer… they all write, but each has very different specialties.

The right choice can mean the difference between content that generates results and wasted money. A copywriter won’t write your technical documentation the same way a technical writer would, and a ghostwriter has skills that a social media manager simply doesn’t need.

Use our interactive quiz to discover exactly what type of writer your business needs:

Writer Type Selector

Discover which professional your company needs

Question 1 of 8

What is your main goal with the content?

The 7 Types of Professional Writers Explained

The professional writing market has evolved significantly. What used to be simply “writer” or “freelance writer” has now specialized into very specific roles, each optimized for different business objectives.

1. Copywriter: The Persuasion Specialist

Primary function: Write texts that convert readers into buyers.

The copywriter is the expert in persuasive writing. Their job isn’t to inform or entertain—it’s to generate action. Every word is designed to move the reader toward a decision: buy, sign up, request information.

Distinctive techniques:

When to hire a copywriter:

Investment range: $300 - $1,500 USD per project

Clear sign you need a copywriter: Your web traffic is good, but conversions are low. The problem isn’t that people can’t find you—it’s that your message doesn’t convince them to act.

2. Content Writer: The Authority Builder

Primary function: Create valuable content that educates, informs, and positions the brand as an authority.

The content writer focuses on long-term value. Their content attracts organic traffic, builds trust, and nurtures the audience over time. They don’t seek immediate sales—they seek lasting relationships.

Distinctive techniques:

When to hire a content writer:

Investment range: $200 - $900 USD monthly

Clear sign you need a content writer: You know you need to publish content regularly for your audience, but you don’t have the time or expertise to do it internally with the necessary quality.

3. Ghostwriter: The Invisible Voice

Primary function: Write content that someone else will sign as their own.

The ghostwriter is the most invisible professional of all. Their success is measured by how well they capture another person’s voice, perspective, and personality. They work behind the scenes so that executives, founders, and leaders can maintain content presence without writing themselves.

Distinctive techniques:

When to hire a ghostwriter:

Investment range: $600 - $3,000 USD monthly

Clear sign you need a ghostwriter: You’re an executive or leader who wants to build a personal brand, but you don’t have time (or necessarily the ability) to consistently write quality content.

4. UX Writer: The Word Designer

Primary function: Write the text that appears in digital interfaces (apps, websites, software).

The UX writer is part designer, part writer. Their job is to make interfaces intuitive through text. Every button, error message, tooltip, and notification is UX writer territory.

Distinctive techniques:

When to hire a UX writer:

Investment range: $500 - $1,800 USD per project

Clear sign you need a UX writer: Your app or platform users frequently get confused, request support for simple tasks, or abandon flows midway.

5. Technical Writer: The Complexity Translator

Primary function: Convert complex technical information into clear, accessible documentation.

The technical writer is the bridge between technical experts and end users. Their skill is in simplifying without losing precision—making API documentation, software manuals, and technical processes understandable.

Distinctive techniques:

When to hire a technical writer:

Investment range: $350 - $1,500 USD per project

Clear sign you need a technical writer: Your support team answers the same technical questions over and over, or external developers struggle to integrate your product.

6. Social Media Writer: The Platform Native

Primary function: Create content specifically designed for each social network.

The social media writer understands that each platform has its own language. What works on LinkedIn doesn’t work on TikTok. Their expertise is in adapting messages to each network’s format, tone, and algorithm.

Distinctive techniques:

When to hire a social media writer:

Investment range: $250 - $1,100 USD monthly

Clear sign you need a social media writer: Your social posts feel generic, engagement is low, or you simply can’t maintain consistency across multiple platforms.

7. SEO Writer: The Search Strategist

Primary function: Create content optimized to rank on Google and other search engines.

The SEO writer combines writing skills with technical SEO knowledge. They don’t just write well—they write strategically to capture organic traffic from specific searches.

Distinctive techniques:

When to hire an SEO writer:

Investment range: $250 - $1,200 USD per project

Clear sign you need an SEO writer: Your content is good but doesn’t appear on Google, or you want a systematic strategy to capture traffic from specific searches.

Comparison Table: The 7 Writer Types

TypePrimary GoalTypical FormatSuccess MetricMonthly Investment
CopywriterImmediate conversionLanding pages, adsConversion rate$300 - $1.5K
Content WriterAuthority & educationBlogs, guidesTraffic, engagement$200 - $900
GhostwriterPersonal brandingLinkedIn, booksReach, reputation$600 - $3K
UX WriterUsabilityInterfaces, appsTask completion$500 - $1.8K
Technical WriterClear documentationManuals, APIsSupport reduction$350 - $1.5K
Social Media WriterSocial engagementPosts, storiesLikes, shares$250 - $1.1K
SEO WriterOrganic trafficSEO articlesRankings, traffic$250 - $1.2K

What If You Need More Than One Type?

In practice, many companies need a combination of these profiles. There are three ways to approach this:

Option 1: Hybrid Writer

Some professionals have expertise in multiple areas. For example, it’s common to find content writers with SEO knowledge, or copywriters who also handle social media. They’re harder to find and cost more, but simplify management.

Option 2: Team of Specialists

Hire different professionals for different needs. A ghostwriter for the CEO’s LinkedIn + a content writer for the blog + a copywriter for landing pages. More expensive but with better quality in each area.

Option 3: Content Agency

Work with an agency that has all profiles internally. You lose some personal specialization but gain brand consistency and coordination ease.

Common Mistakes When Hiring Writers

Mistake #1: Assuming Any Writer Works for Anything

“They write well” doesn’t mean they can write sales copy, technical documentation, or capture your CEO’s voice. Specialization exists for a reason.

Mistake #2: Hiring Only by Price

The cheapest writer probably doesn’t have the specialization you need. The cost of redoing mediocre content exceeds the initial price difference.

Mistake #3: Not Defining Clear Objectives

“I need content” isn’t a useful brief. Before hiring, define: What result do you expect? More sales? More traffic? Better user experience?

Mistake #4: Ignoring Specific Portfolio

An excellent copywriter may have zero experience in your industry. Review previous work relevant to your specific case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a content writer do copywriting?

Technically yes, but probably not at the same level. They’re related but distinct skills. A content writer can write a good blog article; a copywriter can convert that article into a landing page that sells.

What’s the difference between ghostwriter and content writer?

The ghostwriter writes as if they were another person—they capture their voice, perspective, and personality. The content writer writes as the brand, not as a specific individual.

Do I need a UX writer if I already have designers?

Yes, if your digital product is complex. Visual designers don’t necessarily have microcopy expertise. Interface text requires specific skills.

Can I hire an SEO writer for all my content?

You could, but it’s not optimal. Not all content needs SEO optimization. Your email sequence doesn’t need keywords; your sales landing page needs copywriting, not SEO.

What type of writer do I need for company LinkedIn?

It depends. For the company profile: content writer or social media writer. For the CEO’s LinkedIn: ghostwriter. They’re different needs.

How much should I invest monthly in professional writing?

It depends on your volume and objectives. As a reference:

Conclusion: Specialization Matters

The professional writing market has specialized because different objectives require different skills. A text that sells isn’t written the same as a text that educates, and neither is written the same as a user interface.

Before hiring:

  1. Clearly define your primary objective
  2. Identify which writer type achieves it best
  3. Review specific portfolios in your area
  4. Establish clear success metrics

And if you’re still not sure, use the quiz at the beginning of this article—it will give you a personalized recommendation based on your specific situation.

Need a Ghostwriter + Content Writer + Social Media Writer?

If the quiz shows you need ghostwriting, content, or social media, you don’t have to hire 3 different professionals.

Mazkara covers exactly these 3 roles:

One team that understands your complete strategy. No coordinating between freelancers, no voice inconsistencies, no repeating the same onboarding three times.

→ Schedule a free 30-minute call — No strings attached.

References

  1. Content Marketing Institute. (2025). “B2B Content Marketing Report: Benchmarks, Budgets and Trends.”
  2. LinkedIn. (2025). “Executive Influence: How C-Suite Content Drives Business Results.”
  3. Nielsen Norman Group. (2024). “The ROI of UX Writing in Digital Products.”
  4. HubSpot. (2025). “State of Content Marketing: Pricing and Staffing Trends.”
  5. Semrush. (2026). “SEO Content Writing: Industry Benchmarks for Mexico and LATAM.”