What Does a Content Editor Do?

Content editors are responsible for shaping the written content that appears in a variety of media. They work closely with writers, reporters, and other professionals to ensure that all published materials are clear, consistent, and free of errors.

Content editors may work on any number of projects, from magazines and newspapers to corporate newsletters or webpages. Whatever their area of focus, they strive to ensure that everything they touch is well-written, engaging, and error-free.

Content Editor Job Duties

Content editors have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Reviewing and editing content for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and syntax errors
• Managing the website’s editorial calendar to ensure that deadlines are met
• Conducting research on topics related to content areas of interest to the site in order to create new content
• Coordinating with other members of the editorial team including producers, designers, and programmers
• Working with staff writers to provide feedback and guidance on their work
• Conducting interviews with experts on topics relevant to the site’s content focus
• Writing headlines and summaries of articles to help promote content on social media platforms
• Reviewing content to ensure it meets regulatory requirements regarding accuracy and legality
• Maintaining relationships with sponsors and advertisers to ensure that their needs are met

Content Editor Salary & Outlook

Content editors’ salaries vary depending on their level of education, years of experience, and the type of company they work for. They may also earn additional compensation in the form of bonuses.

• Median Annual Salary: $63,500 ($30.53/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $126,500 ($60.82/hour)

The employment of content editors is expected to grow slower than average over the next decade.

Employment growth will be limited because demand for content editing is expected to come from online and mobile platforms, which require less editing than print publications. However, some growth is expected in traditional media, such as newspapers and magazines, where editors will be needed to ensure that content is relevant and engaging.

Related: 17 Content Editor Interview Questions and Answers

Content Editor Job Requirements

A content editor typically needs to have the following qualifications:

Education: Content editors should have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications or another related field. Some employers prefer to hire content editors who have a master’s degree in English or journalism. Relevant coursework includes writing, research, communications, technical writing, business and marketing.

Training & Experience: Content editors typically receive on-the-job training. This training may include learning the company’s style guide and editing software. Training may also include learning about the company’s workflow and how to work with the other departments.

Content editors who work in the publishing industry may receive additional training in the form of conferences and seminars. These conferences and seminars may cover topics such as digital publishing, SEO and content marketing.

Certifications & Licenses: While certifications are not usually required for content editor roles, they can help you stand out from other candidates. They also demonstrate your commitment to excellence and the ongoing pursuit of knowledge.

Content Editor Skills

Content editors need the following skills in order to be successful:

Editing skills: As a content editor, you may be responsible for editing the work of other writers. Having strong editing skills can help you ensure the quality of the content you work with. You may also be responsible for proofreading the work of others.

Communication skills: As a content editor, you may be required to communicate with other team members, clients and other stakeholders. Effective communication skills, including active listening, can help you to build trust and maintain positive relationships with others. You may also use communication skills to convey information to the public, such as through social media.

Research skills: Content editors research topics and write about them. They need to know how to find information and use it to create informative and engaging content. This requires research skills, including the ability to find information on the internet, in books and other sources. You also need to know how to use the information you find to create a logical flow for your content.

Marketing skills: Content editors often work with marketing teams to create and distribute content. This means they need to understand the goals of the marketing team and how the content they create can help the marketing team achieve their goals. For example, if a marketing team wants to increase sales, the content editor can create content that encourages readers to purchase a product.

Technical skills: Content editors may need to have technical skills to understand the information they’re editing. For example, if you’re editing a blog post about a new software program, you may need to understand how the program works and what the writer is referring to.

Content Editor Work Environment

Content editors work in a variety of settings, including corporate offices, publishing houses, advertising agencies, public relations firms, and news organizations. They usually work regular business hours, although they may occasionally have to work evenings and weekends to meet deadlines. Content editors typically work on teams with other editors, writers, and designers to produce print or digital publications. They may also work with freelance writers and other outside contributors. Because content editors must be able to work well under pressure and meet deadlines, they may experience some stress in their jobs.

Content Editor Trends

Here are three trends influencing how content editors work. Content editors will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

Content Marketing Will Become Even More Important

Content marketing is becoming increasingly important as businesses realize that it is a cost-effective way to reach their target audience. This trend will continue to grow in the coming years, as more and more businesses adopt content marketing strategies.

As content marketing becomes more popular, content editors will need to be well-versed in creating engaging and informative content. They will also need to be able to manage multiple projects at once and work quickly and efficiently.

The Rise of AI and Automation

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation is having a major impact on the content editor profession. As AI and automation become more common, content editors will need to learn new skills in order to stay competitive.

One of the most important skills that content editors will need to learn is how to work with AI and automation tools. This includes understanding how to use these tools to automate tasks and how to work with data that has been automatically generated. In addition, content editors will need to be able to create content that is both engaging and easy for machines to understand.

More Focus on User Experience

User experience (UX) is becoming an increasingly important focus for businesses across all industries. This is because users are now more likely to judge a company based on its website or app than ever before.

As content editors, you can play a key role in ensuring that your company’s products have a positive user experience. By paying attention to details such as design, navigation, and usability, you can help make sure that your company’s products are easy to use and understand.

How to Become a Content Editor

A content editor career can be a great way to start your writing career. As a content editor, you’ll work with writers to develop and edit their articles, blog posts, and other written content. This is a great opportunity to learn from experienced writers and see how different writers approach the same topic.

You’ll also need to have a strong understanding of SEO best practices so that you can optimize your content for search engines. This will help your content get found by more people who are searching for information on your subject matter.

Advancement Prospects

Content editors may advance to content manager positions, where they oversee a team of content editors and writers. Alternatively, they may move into a related field, such as copywriting, marketing, or web design. With experience, content editors may also become self-employed and work as freelance editors.

Content Editor Job Description Example

Are you a whiz with grammar, punctuation, and style? Do you have an eagle eye for detail? Do you have a passion for writing and editing? If you answered yes to all of the above, we want to hear from you!

We’re looking for a content editor to join our team and help us create high-quality, engaging content for our website, blog, and social media channels. In this role, you will be responsible for editing and proofreading articles, as well as writing and editing your own original content. A strong knowledge of AP style and SEO is a must, as is the ability to work quickly and efficiently under tight deadlines.

If you’re a talented writer and editor with a passion for all things grammar, we want you on our team!

Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as the lead content editor for all digital and print communications, including but not limited to website content, social media posts, email marketing campaigns, brochures, and other marketing collateral
• Write, edit, and proofread copy for a variety of content types, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and consistency in style and tone across all channels
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of communication industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies
• Collaborate with designers, developers, and other stakeholders to ensure that content meets the needs of the audience and aligns with overall strategic objectives
• Develop and implement editorial guidelines and standards for content creation and distribution
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while adhering to strict deadlines
• Conduct regular audits of existing content to identify areas for improvement or revision
• Research and write original articles, blog posts, and other long-form content as needed
• Create and curate engaging visual content such as photos, videos, infographics, and other graphics
• Monitor web traffic and analytics to gauge the effectiveness of content and make recommendations for optimization
• Stay up-to-date on search engine optimization (SEO) best practices and implement them into all content strategies
• Perform quality assurance checks on all content before publication

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, English, communications, or related field
• 3-5 years professional writing and editing experience with a strong portfolio of work
• Exceptional writing, research, and proofreading skills
• Ability to work independently and with a team to meet deadlines
• Excellent organizational skill and multitasking ability
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat Pro

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Experience working with content management systems, WordPress, etc.
• A keen eye for detail and appreciation of great design
• Proofreading experience and familiarity with standard style guides
• Experience with social media or content marketing