Content Writer Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a content writer. Feel free to use our content writer job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a content writer.
Who is a Content Writer?
A content writer is someone who specializes in creating useful and entertaining written material for websites. Every website is created with a certain target audience in mind, and to reach that audience, it requires well-written, informative, and generally high-quality content. A content writer’s work will typically include keywords aimed at improving a website’s Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Keywords are precise, business-related terms or phrases that internet users may type into a search engine while looking for certain services or products. Content authors can increase the likelihood that people will see their content when they type relevant terms into search engines by focusing on these.
The process of planning, writing, and editing web material, usually for digital marketing objectives, is known as content writing. Writing blog entries and articles, scripts for films and podcasts, and content for specialized platforms, such as tweetstorms on Twitter or text posts on Reddit, are all examples of this.
There are ten different sorts of content writers:
- Blog writer: A blog writer understands how to transform difficult themes into friendly exchanges. They are committed to producing high-quality, interesting material. They’ll spend four hours on a single article’s draft and consider six blog titles along the way. Eventually, the blogger will choose a title that will get the most clicks. Blog writers employ their inquisitive nature to seek out and collect data that will help them improve their material. They reach out to subject matter experts for help if they don’t comprehend a topic since they realize content can’t be manufactured. They also work with professionals and influencers to produce interviews or add contributor remarks that give articles greater legitimacy. Because a published blog post is essentially another page on your website, blog writers are usually SEO-savvy. Some blog writers will conduct keyword research and optimize the content if it is included in the project scope. Others will be influenced by your overall SEO strategy. A good blog writer consistently incorporates keyword words in the right places without jeopardizing the content’s quality. A blogger is responsible for Articles, Blog Posts, Interviews, and Research
- Brand journalist: A brand journalist is a born storyteller who won’t stop until they’ve found theirs. By trade, these writers are more extroverted, and they feed off the enthusiasm of their interview subjects. To follow up on the news, they’ll send cold outreach emails and make phone calls. Journalists who cover brands are excellent brand ambassadors. They will portray your brand in a favourable light, whether they are producing press releases or customer stories. They recognize the value of a company’s reputation, so they make it a habit to double-check data and quotes before publishing anything. A brand journalist specializes in long-form material and human-interest stories that are pitched to third parties for media or magazine placement. They also have a talent for generating catchy headlines that get people to click and share. A brand journalist is appropriate for the following jobs: Brand stories, Interviews, Customer stories, Press releases, Internal communications, Boilerplates, and Company bios.
- Copywriter: A copywriter is nimble, able to shift their creative mind between a wide range of topics and tasks with ease. They understand how to connect information blocks so that the reader may navigate even the most complicated digital journey with ease. They converse in your brand’s and your customer’s languages at the same time. Copywriters weave experiences into every syllable, from product descriptions to website pages. Because copywriters are inquisitive and analytical, anticipate supplying specifics and facts to aid in the strategic crafting of messaging. A copywriter creates Website Copy, Infographics, Traditional print media, Product descriptions, and Sales collateral
- Ghostwriter: A ghostwriter is a chameleon, able to shapeshift into the committed voice that belongs to both brands and people thanks to their mastery of the written word. When your organization lacks the capacity, expertise, drive, or all of the above, ghostwriters solve content resource gaps. This writer creates articles for different members of your team as well as thought leadership pieces for your CEO. They tackle the ebooks and white papers that your team has been unable to publish owing to time constraints throughout the year. A decent bedside manner is important for a ghostwriter because they are used to asking people in-depth personal and professional questions in order to capture knowledge, tales, and tone. When hiring a ghostwriter, look for someone who exudes confidence and trustworthiness, as you’ll be entrusting them with the larger voice of your company and the people that make it up. A ghostwriter is ideal for the following tasks: Articles, Ebooks, White papers, Thought leadership, Off-page content, and Website copy
- Technical writer: Although a technical writer and a technical writer are frequently misunderstood, their skills are vastly different. A technical writer excels at making highly technical content understandable to others. They explain technology in detail, including how to use it, how to make it, the processes, components, inner workings, and mechanics. A tech writer isn’t interested in getting into the weeds of product specifications and specifics. Instead, they write about technology in a broader sense, frequently in the context of its application. Visit TechCrunch to witness tech journalists in their native homes. Returning to technical writers… These authors are thorough and meticulous. Whether they’re writing guides, FAQs, or manuals, they’ll effectively demonstrate your product to non-technical consumers so they grasp its capabilities. A technical writer creates the following: How-Tos, Guides, FAQs, Instructions, Manuals, and UX (User Experience) Messaging.
- Social media writer: A brand’s loudest voice is, without a doubt, its social media writer. This writer posts information to social media every day in the hopes of inspiring dialogues and exchanges. It’s not all about snappy language and smart hashtags when it comes to social media content. It’s also fast-paced and technical. To ensure content success, social media writers stay on top of ever-changing capabilities and algorithms with social networks. They speak each platform’s language effectively to engage followers with appropriate messaging and interactive elements like polls and questions. Brands continue to benefit from social media; 93 percent of marketers say their social media activities have increased their organizations’ exposure. When it comes to choosing a social media writer, trust is crucial because this person will be the face of your company. You should hire a social media writer if you need help with Social media posts, Quizzes, Interactive content, Platform-specific content, and PR outreach.
- Email writer: The purpose of an email writer’s copy is to get people to take action. They are well-versed in lead generating strategies and how content may aid those efforts. Their writing approach includes a significant amount of psychology. They create headlines and call-to-action phrases by considering buyer stages and sales initiatives as they write and put each word. A good email writer is committed to A/B testing text and will constantly study and improve their writing to obtain the best possible conversion rates. An email writer creates the following: Newsletters, Drip campaigns, Transactional emails, Sales nurture, Customer nurture
- Scriptwriter: A scriptwriter is an important part of any multimedia endeavor. They bring storytelling expertise to the table while adhering to the messaging approach. Scriptwriters see how words on a page will be transformed into richer formats such as films and podcasts. They combine fast-moving graphics with succinct one-liners on product features and benefits in explainer videos. They ask essential interview questions to elicit impactful brand experiences for customer story films. You’ll know you’ve found the appropriate scriptwriter when they immediately get the overall picture of your content vision. A scriptwriter is an excellent source of inspiration for Video scripts, Explainer video scripts, Podcast scripts, Radio/audio advertising, Motion graphics scripts, and Chatbots.
- Long-form content writer: A long-form content writer is a hybrid of a novelist and a marathon runner. They possess unrivaled degrees of endurance and patience. Long-form content writers, self-described data nerds, keep a large library of the most recent industry research reports on hand… just in case. Long-form content writers frequently become subject matter experts by default as a result of their enthusiasm for analytics and data. They smoothly combine technical white papers and appealing ebooks as experts in particular fields. Long-form content writers prefer longer formats because they have the ability to bring insights into a strong and cohesive format. While many writers are put off by 2,000+ words, long-form content writers prefer longer formats because they have the ability to bring insights into a strong and cohesive format. A content writer who specializes in long-form content creates Ebooks, Data studies, White papers, Case studies, and Pillar blog posts.
- Ad and promo writer: With any content they develop, an ad and promo writer knows how to make use of the great real estate. Within character constraints, powerful statements can be swiftly generated. The call to action is prominently displayed, with the goal of increasing awareness and conversions. Ad and promo writers are creators who are motivated by results. The aim of a landing page is to produce a message that resonates with prospects while also compelling them to perform a very specific action that results in a captured lead for sales. This writer is interested in learning about your objectives because they need to see what they’re aiming for. Your best bet is to hire an ad and promo writer for Advertising copy, Direct mail copy, Landing pages, Promo blurbs onsite, Product descriptions, and Sales collateral
Content Writer Job Description
Below are the content writer job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a content writer job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a content writer include the following:
- Investigate industry-related issues (combining online sources, interviews, and studies).
- Write clear marketing texts to advertise products/services.
- Create well-structured drafts using Content Management Systems.
- Proofread and edit work before publishing blog content.
- Submit works to editors for review and approval.
- Work with the marketing and design departments to illustrate the content.
- Conduct easy keyword research and follows SEO recommendations to enhance web traffic.
- Use social media to promote content.
- Identify customer demands and content gaps, and suggests new topics.
- Ensure consistency all around (style, fonts, images, and tone).
- Updates the website’s content as needed.
Qualifications
- Work experience as a Content Writer, Copywriter, or in a comparable function is required.
- A collection of articles that have been published.
- Extensive research experience using a variety of sources.
- Knowledge of how to publish on the internet.
- Excellent English writing and editing skills.
- Practical knowledge of Content Management Systems (e.g. WordPress).
- The ability to work under pressure and fulfill deadlines.
- A bachelor’s degree in marketing, English, journalism or a related subject is required.
Essential Skills
- Excellent Writing Skills
- Knowing Your Reader is important
- Professional Proofreading and Editing Skills
- Always Being Original is required
- Research Proficiency Skills
- Sourcing Information and Citations Skills
- Adaptability Skills
- Swapping Writing Styles Ability
- SEO Affluence
- Consistency Skills
- Must have a proper understanding of social media
- Effective time Management Skills
- Organizational Skills
- Marketing efficient skills
- Creativity Skill
How to Become a Content Writer
If the idea of working as a content writer appeals to you, you’re definitely wondering how to get started. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to get into this style of writing. Many people begin their careers in a company’s marketing department. If you want to start out on your own, though, our advice on how to become a content writer will be helpful. We’ve also highlighted some of the methods you can get started with content writing below, including:
- Write
A lot of people want to be writers. After all, there’s a certain romance to it. However, many of these individuals do not write, which can be a serious issue. Writing is no exception. It takes a lot of hours to become proficient in anything. The majority of people can write to a respectable standard, but being good takes time and work. You may begin by creating your own blog. It can be about anything you want as long as you’re writing on a regular basis and getting practice. While you’re at it, you can also learn about other facets of digital marketing. You can also practice writing in various ways. The Twitter page for One Minute Briefs is a fun method to improve your ad copy game. Even starting to write fiction can help you get into the swing of things.
- Find your niche Many content writers and copywriters work on a variety of themes and frequently collaborate with other members of a marketing team. However, it’s not uncommon for writers to specialize in a certain field. Having a focus can help you polish your talents in these areas, whether it’s generating appealing ad text, shareable social media postings, or engaging and informative blog pieces. Many of these abilities can be improved upon.
- Gain experience
You can’t get a job without experience, but you can’t acquire experience without a job, as the old adage goes. There are a few ways to get around this. The first step is to create a portfolio of your work that you can show to potential employers. Mock-ups of commercials, blog entries you’ve written yourself, or social media campaign ideas are all instances of your work. Furthermore, you are not need to begin as a writer. Many marketing jobs overlap with writing jobs, allowing you the opportunity to get significant marketing experience before settling down as a writer. For example, to prepare for a CRM career, you may start with our ExpertTrack on CRM concepts and practice, and then improve on your written communication and engagement abilities.
- Work on your skills
It’s beneficial to work on some of the important abilities we’ve highlighted so far if you want to become a content writer. Along with your writing skills, you might want to try focusing on:
Communication Skills: You’ll need to communicate your thoughts clearly and to a large audience. Communication and teamwork abilities can help a lot in this situation.
Problem-solving: In any position, problem-solving abilities are essential, and writers are no different.
Research: Any competent writer needs to be able to locate and verify information. Working on a project can help you get to the bottom of a problem.
Adaptability: As a content writer, you’ll need to be robust and adaptive, ready to shift your focus and work on many projects at the same time.
Where to Work as a Content Writer
Content Writers have work opportunities across all establishments because every business, profession, and occupation needs the services of a content writer to be in the limelight. In most cases, a content writer does not necessarily need to go out and come back for a job. That is, many content writers are either self-employed or work remotely.
Content Writer Salary Scale
In the United States, the average content writer’s salary is $55,544 per year or $28.48 per hour. Starting salaries for entry-level positions start at $42,630 per year, with the most experienced workers earning up to $92,034 per year. A Content Writer in Nigeria earns roughly 305,000 NGN per month on average. Salaries range from 143,000 NGN to 481,000 NGN (lowest to highest) (highest). This is the monthly average pay, which includes housing, transportation, and other benefits. Salary for content writers varies greatly depending on experience, skills, gender, and location.
