Content Writing Versus Copywriting, What’s The Difference

There has always been some sort of confusion over the meaning of content writing and copywriting. After reading a blog post on this topic, I feel the need to jump right into the confusing discussion.
Supposed difference between content writing and copywriting
According to *Glenn copywriting as the name implies is any writing done with the customer in mind. The main purpose is to drive sales for the client. He went further to say that when you do copywriting that you are carefully thinking over what you are writing because you basically want to close a sale.
Glenn succinctly said that with content writing, you are just using words in no particular order (these are my words). What is happening here is that the content writer is simply writing boring texts that no one would care to read. In other words you are writing for the search engines (his words) with keyword stuffing and all that.
Real difference between content writing and copy writing
With the above contexts in mind, I beg to differ. I totally disagree with Glenn on this one. If the aim of writing a content (according to Glenn) is to entice search engines and copywriting is meant to close sales, then both types of writing are basically the same. The end result is to get people to notice your brand and subsequently make a purchase. While content writing is the forerunner, copywriting clinches the deal. End of discussion.
Come to think of it, why would any self respecting writer want to write something that no one would want to read? I’d love to know your opinion on this, feel free to drop a comment and tell me why.
Coming back to the issue at hand, permit me to say that copywriting is part of content writing. Both are deeply interwoven. While content writing is the mother, copywriting is the child. Period.
According to Dictionary.com, content is something that is expressed by way of medium such as writing. With this definition on mind, I’d venture to say that copy writing is a medium of expression done through writing. Once any copy is written, it automatically becomes a content writing.
What really differentiates copywriting from content writing is that while the former is specific and may be used to drive sales; the later may be used for different reasons under the sun. For example, if I’m writing a political expository essay, my main aim is to inform through exposure rather than to sell. We all know expository essays are neither boring nor filled with fluff as Glenn would have us believe.
Conclusion
On a final note, I believe what differentiates one writing from another is the angle and purpose. While the purpose of differs they should always be tackled from angles that will interest and inform the readers.