Digital Editor Job Description, Skills & Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a digital editor. Feel free to use our digital editor job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a digital editor.
Who is a Digital Editor?
Working as a digital editor can be a rewarding career for anyone interested in the creation and coordination of online content. Digital editors use their leadership and organization skills to direct the efforts of a digital publishing team. Digital publishing is the activity or art of making information, literature, music, software, and other content available online to the public for sale or for free. The advent of digital information systems has broadened the scope of digital publishing to include ebooks, academic journals, micro-publishing, websites, blogs, and video game publishing. Today, individuals, firms, and businesses can make information available on social media and other online outlets. If you are interested in a digital editor position or role, it can be beneficial to know what it entails and how to become one. Regardless of the size of a business or organization, digital editing is priceless; it is important to peruse the content or information before displaying it online. Thus, this article will focus on the meaning and scope of digital editors, the specific tasks or duties of a digital editor, and the major requirements and qualifications needed to be hired as a digital editor.
A digital editor simply means an individual that creates, edits, formats, and publishes digital content. He or she is the head of an online content team. Digital editors work with a team of writers and graphic artists; they coordinate their output for online publication. They majorly work for websites, blogs, and traditional media with a digital presence including magazines and newspapers. In most organizations, a digital editor is usually responsible for the content and images used on a website. Just like content editors, they plan, research, write copy, and edit the content of a website. Importantly, a digital editor produces content in an appealing way to attract an audience; he or she is versed in different aspects of social media and content production as their job includes conceptualizing, editing, and marketing content.
Additionally, an individual needs in-depth knowledge of the relevant software and best practices for SEO to succeed or excel as a digital editor. A top-notch digital editor is abreast with new updates and trends in digital technology and demonstrates excellent creative thinking and problem-solving abilities. A digital editor might also have the final say on articles submitted by staff or freelance writers deciding what will become in the final published version. Dealing with deadline pressure can be stressful and might lead to long and overtime work hours. Digital editors often earn bachelor’s degrees in a relevant field; experience is also necessary due to the competitive nature of the field. A digital editor consults with the marketing department about goals, assigns stories or content to writers, edits the articles, and displays them on a website. Significantly, collaboration is necessary for digital editing; the digital editor works in tandem with illustrators and graphic designers to provide supplementary material. A digital editor often possesses excellent judgment and exceptional interpersonal skills. Since they work with different people from different backgrounds, digital editors are often patient, innovative, adaptable, and proficient time managers.
Furthermore, a digital editor’s responsibility encompasses monitoring client-targeted online content from a publication perspective and managing an assorted team of content editors, content writers, video editors, other design staff, and freelance contributors. Most times, they work closely with the managing editor so that the published content meets the audience’s expectations. A digital editor has exceptional knowledge of digital media which makes editing digital content easy. Most organizations and employers mandate the digital editor to sustain quality, excellence, consistency, and regularity at all times through online networks. They also drive bigger circulation and brand prominence by taking content from concept to publication.
Digital Editor Job Description
Below are the digital editor job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a digital editor 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 digital editor include the following:
- Generate content ideas and plan writing and publishing schedules.
- Assign stories to freelance and in-house writers.
- Proofread and edit articles submitted by the writing team to ensure they are free from errors, accurate, and in line with the publication’s style guide.
- Create, produce, manage, and write high-quality articles.
- Format articles, images, and video content for online publication.
- Publish articles to digital platforms including websites, blogs, and social media.
- Identify and track key performance indicators.
- Track, assess, and report website statistics.
- Adhere to the principles, processes, and standards of the organization.
- Recruit, train, and onboard the writing and content team.
- Regularly report to or update senior management on progress made or difficulties encountered.
- Build a relationship with clients and establish collaboration with other team members.
- Supervise layout of images, graphics, videos, and other artwork.
- Work in a multidisciplinary team with professionals such as web designers, marketing executives, and photographers to improve content strategy.
- Adhere to SEO rules and use social media for a better presence.
- Adhere to copyright and privacy standards.
- Determine and track important KPIs.
- Track and analyze website traffic.
- Stay abreast with new trends and development in web technology.
- Monitor and supervise tasks to ensure that deadlines are met.
- Use relevant software to check content for cogency.
- Maintain quality across web platforms to increase brand visibility.
- Recognize and forecast social media trends.
- Collaborate with staff to brainstorm content topics.
- Improve content by adding music, sound, film, or artwork.
Qualifications
To become employable in digital editing, the following qualifications are required;
- Education: Most digital publishers look for digital editors with bachelor’s degrees in a related field. The following degrees can give you the writing, editing, and critical thinking skills you will need as a digital editor;
- Bachelor of Arts in journalism
- Bachelor of Arts in journalism and mass communication.
- Bachelor of Science in journalism.
- Bachelor of Arts in communication.
- Bachelor of Arts in English.
The best degree programs for aspiring digital editors offer subjects focusing on digital editing.
- Experience: Experience is essential for digital editors. A digital editor usually works in the publishing sector for several years before getting promoted. As digital editors perform many of the same duties as print editors do, their experience may be in digital or print media. Many digital editors start working in entry-level roles such as copy editor or editorial assistant before becoming writers. These roles provide practical writing and editing experience and an understanding of how publications come together. These roles can also familiarize you with popular editing and layout software. You can complement your paid experience with self-publishing by starting a blog and promoting it through social media channels. Volunteer work can also help you gain more practical experience and enhance your chances of getting hired.
- Professional organizations: Although licensing and certifications aren’t required, professional organizations can help digital editors further their careers and boost their chances of getting hired. Thus, consider joining a professional organization for access to seminars, online training sessions, and networking opportunities.
Essential Skills
A digital editor assigns stories, coordinates writer efforts, formats content for web publishing, and publishes articles to various internet platforms. Interested individuals must possess skills that will help them perform their job effectively. These skills include;
- Social media and digital content management skills.
- Blogging design and layout skills.
- Project management skills.
- Writing and editing skills.
- Technological skills.
How to Become a Digital Editor
People typically follow these steps to get a digital editor job;
- Earn a relevant bachelor’s degree: According to reports, a bachelor’s degree is typically required for a digital editor’s job. Aspiring editors might earn a degree in journalism, English, or communications. Journalism focuses on writing and reporting stories in different media. English degree programs offer a curriculum of critical thinking and writing about literary texts. A communication degree on the other hand prepares students to effectively convey ideas across all types of modern media for various purposes including informative and commercial reasons. Hence, choose a degree program that offers digital editing emphasis. Many universities and colleges offer elective coursework, workshops, or specific tracks in digital and video editing. These classes are beneficial in providing experience in the skills needed for employment after graduation. During your education, an aspiring digital editor can gain knowledge and expertise by working in their school’s newspaper or magazine. You might practice your art by working on the paper’s website or social media outlets such as a Facebook page or Twitter account. Some colleges may also provide opportunities for internships at professional publications which allow digital editors to practice their skills and gain hands-on experience.
- Consider continuing education: Though a bachelor’s degree is commonly sufficient for most digital editing positions, some employers could prefer a graduate degree. For an individual looking to advance in the field, a master’s degree in a relevant subject such as journalism may be worth considering. Even if a master’s degree isn’t a prerequisite, you can get a competitive advantage over other applicants with this degree.
- Find employment to gain experience: Many digital editors begin their professional careers as writers. They move up to editing jobs by establishing a track record of identifying compelling stories, recognizing skilled writing, and interacting positively with other writers. They can also start in entry-level positions as copywriters. In this editing world, promotions come from moving to positions of higher responsibility and a larger audience. A history of quality work and meeting deadlines is a good way to build a reputation and facilitate advancement. Digital editors might also advance through mastering more complex computer technology such as Adobe Photoshop. You could gain experience and exposure through self-publication on the internet. For instance, you might publish your blog. This is especially important for digital editors who need to be familiar with computer software and interactive social media platforms such as Facebook. Volunteering to write or edit publications, press releases, and other communication-related pieces in places like schools, non-profit agencies, and religious centers can add experience to an aspiring digital editor’s resume. Although this is a non-paying commitment to building experience, it could pay off in the long run with viable employment in the field.
- Create a portfolio of published work: Many employers review a portfolio of published work as part of their hiring process for digital editors. Hence, consider compiling a portfolio of recently published work in your chosen area such as fashion or sports. Add a headshot, tagline, and short biography that emphasizes what sets you apart from other applicants. Include multi-platform work such as full-length print versions and accompanying photo galleries on social media to show you can work across several channels.
- Join related professional organizations: Several editing and writing organizations offer benefits for a career in digital editing. The Radio Television Digital News Association is one organization for electronic journalists, students, and editors, and joining offers access to many professional development and networking opportunities. Fees vary depending on the chosen category which includes options like online and emerging media news professional, student, new professional, and retiree membership. The Society of Professional Journalists also offers membership opportunities. SPJ members enjoy online training in areas like basic video shot, composition, flip cam and camera techniques, search engines, and freelancing.
Employers of Digital Editors
A digital editor might work in an office environment or remotely from home. Travel is rarely associated with a digital editor since most of their work involves being in an enclosed setting. Arguably, digital editors are found in almost all fields or industries. A construction or engineering firm can hire a digital editor to promote its online presence. Similarly, an educational institution can recruit a digital editor to create, peruse, and monitor their academic and other digital content. However, the major employers of digital editors include websites, blogs, and traditional media with a digital presence such as newspapers and magazines.
Digital Editor Salary Scale
The average salary for a digital editor is $56,111 per year according to research. This figure was arrived at after rigorous research and collection of different digital editors’ salaries across the world. However, salaries vary depending on location, level of education, and years of experience. For example, a digital editor in a developed nation earns more than their counterparts in less developed countries. Also, a senior digital editor with more than 10 years of work experience will earn more than a digital editor with little or no experience.