What skill isn't important? So are doctor's skills and farming skills. That is not what is at issue, and it wasn't my point.

In days gone by, copywriting was used for advertising, for mail order companies, etc. The difference between a writer, and someone who wrote 'copy' for business was acknowledged. People who wrote for business clients, no matter what it was, were not considered writers.

Why?

Because when you are a copy writer, you do not create imaginary worlds. You do not have to write entire books with a beginning, a middle and an end. Same applies for short stories. Or screenwriting. Or playwrights.

There was the understanding that if one wrote copy for clients, whether websites, or advertising or in snail mail mass marketing, one's services were bought by the client, and nothing that was said could be trusted.

Here is a definition of copywriting:

"A copywriter is someone who writes with the intent of educating, persuading or influencing their audience, often with the goal of selling a product or service. Copywriters have an understanding of their audience and know how to influence decision-making with words and suggestions."

Here's another definition of copywriting. As above, I just googled 'copywriter' and that is what came up.

"A copywriter is often tasked with taking complex material and presenting it in a clear and concise way that's easy to understand, making it more relatable for readers. They usually work for marketing or advertising agencies, or internally within the marketing department of a company."

I would never, never, never in a million years write copy for a business. And I don't consider people who write copy to be writers. Agatha Christie is a writer. James Patterson is a writer. Journalists are writers. Copywriters are paid to influence and persuade. Writers aren't paid to do that.