Content Management

As full-time roles in online content management continue to evolve, so too does the career path for the people in those positions. A strong online presence is crucial for every brand, and the demand for good content writers has never been higher, and an increasing number of industries are seeking skilled content managers to join their teams.

The career progression for those in content management is relatively straightforward. Copywriting and Content Executive positions are considered the entry level roles, relying exclusively on the writing of content rather than creation of strategy. From there, candidates can move into an editorial role, or executive positions within a content department.

Salary information and career progression

Opportunity

Online creative marketing is now a business essential, so more companies have a digital platform than ever before. They say “content is king,” so businesses around the world have an increasing need to hire skilled Copywriters to pen impactful content and creative advertising for them.

Copywriters ensure all content, online or otherwise, speaks to audiences and brings in more customers. There are multiple digital platforms for businesses and individuals alike to share and distribute copy across, including websites, mobile, digital out of home, mailing lists, and social media pages. This, in turn, has created more roles for Copywriters, increasing the demand in the job market.

Copywriters tend to have in-depth knowledge of the industry they’re writing for, in order to be as informative as possible. On a day-to-day basis, Copywriters may work with Digital Designers and Art Directors to make sure text fits in with design templates. Having a strong background in English, a journalistic eye, and the ability to carefully develop an angle for a story, as well as the ability to work in a team across departments are all key skills that Copywriters need to possess.

• Recent changes to the sector

  As more businesses grow their online presence, they need to increase and retain visibility in search engines and on social media. Content managers, therefore, need to be able to draw on web traffic data and seamlessly implement keywords in order to keep copy optimised for search. In recent years, it has become highly advantageous to have technical skills covering basic HTML and SEO, as content is now widely produced for online platforms, and these skills will set you apart from the crowd.

• Future prospects

  Due to the fact that one of the most important ranking factors for SEO is unique quality content, companies have been investing an increasing amount of money in hiring skilled Copywriters in order to make their own copy stand out from competitors. Since quality content is said to be of enormous importance in the future as well, the job opportunities for both freelance and in-house Copywriters and Content Editors will continue to grow.

• Advice for Job Seekers

  Employers’ requirements for content management jobs

  Content managers require a solid understanding of established and emerging social platforms, as well as the ability to tailor content to match each. Good English skills and a personable attitude can also go a long way when interacting with a brand’s user base. An understanding of SEO and video or photo editing software are also often desirable.

  Beyond being tech savvy, industry professionals are also expected to have essential soft skills, such as an ability to solve problems, to negotiate and the ability to be a team leader.

  CV requirements for Content Marketing professionals

  One of the key requirements for an online Copywriter’s CV is basic SEO knowledge. This does not mean that a Copywriter has to be an expert about technical SEO subjects such as canonicalisation or page speed optimisation, but they should know the golden rules for on-page and off-page optimisation, including keyword research and the avoidance of content duplication.

  Hiring managers will also expect to see some kind of writing experience on a CV, whether this is freelance contributing to websites and magazines, or having a full-time job as a writer, regardless of the industry.

  Interview preparation

  In the majority of cases, jobseekers rate content manager interviews as quite relaxed and easy. The interviewer will instead ask you questions about your past experience and personality to see if you fit into the company culture. Though your portfolio will give an indication of your writing capability, it is possible that you will be faced with a short writing test to assess your skills on the spot.

  Educational requirements

  There are no specific qualifications needed to work in Content Management, however, having a strong background in English and writing is advantageous. This could be with a degree in English or a writing-specific course such as journalism, or even having English as an A-level. The best way to get started is by working on freelance writing projects or contributing to websites and blogs. In addition, it might be useful to attend some Copywriting courses as they give a good overview of today’s best practices and industry standards (e.g. by the Institute of Copywriting) as well as helping you develop skills and knowledge on the latest SEO updates.