A Content Strategist is responsible for creating, implementing, and managing a brand’s overall content vision, mission, and tone.
They play a vital role in ensuring the effectiveness and consistency of a brand’s messaging across all platforms.
They work closely with teams such as marketing, design, and product development to deliver a cohesive brand experience.
In this article, we will delve into the job description, role and responsibilities of a Content Strategist, and why they are essential for any business.
Content Strategies Nowadays Career
In recent years, the use of content marketing has become increasingly prevalent. As traditional marketing methods become less effective, many businesses are turning to digital content to connect with their audience.
High-quality and impactful content can influence consumer decision-making and increase brand awareness.
Content strategists play a crucial role in creating this content and are in high demand. According to LinkedIn, there are currently over 500,000 people with the job title of Content Strategist, and a large number of open positions in the United States.
A study by HubSpot also shows that in 2021, a significant percentage of marketers are actively using content marketing.
Content Strategies Job Description
A Content Strategist is responsible for planning, creating, editing, and publishing content that aligns with a company’s business objectives and user needs.
Main task
Their main task is to develop a content strategy that supports and achieves business goals. This content aims to inform, entertain, inspire, and engage potential customers.
A key aspect of the role is content planning, which includes creating, curating, planning, and researching content.
The strategist must come up with creative ways to engage the audience online and produce engaging content.
Objectives
It is the responsibility of the Content Strategist to ensure that the company’s web content aligns with the brand and provides value to current and potential customers.
The goal of an effective content strategy is to drive traffic to the brand’s website and encourage readers to take a profitable action. The role requires strong writing skills, client-facing abilities, and a solid understanding of SEO.
The strategist must work with the organization’s content management system, web analytics platform, SEO research software, and other tools to aid in the content planning and publication process.
They gather information about the different customer personas the business is targeting, conduct extensive research and analysis on customer insights, and then devise content strategies to convert new and existing customers.
Content Strategies Duties and Responsibilities
The content strategist role varies across organizations, but certain responsibilities of content strategists remain consistent. These include:
- Performing exhaustive research to gain in-depth knowledge of all customer personas
- Performing extensive research and analysis on consumer thoughts and trends
- Creating specifications and content appropriate for the brand’s customer personas
- Strategizing content pillars and sub pillars
- Planning the editorial calendar and content proposition
- Collaborating with content management teams, creative teams, and writers to implement the strategy
- Overseeing writing style and tone for all content
Day-to-Day Tasks!
A typical day for a Content Strategist may involve meetings with clients to plan their content marketing program.
They may also work with freelancers, creatives, and designers to provide direction on the client stories that will be conveyed through editorial content, infographics, and other visuals.
The Content Strategist may also be responsible for writing creative briefs, editing copy, or creating narratives for infographics.
A key aspect of the role is developing concepts for proprietary research, creating surveys, and analyzing data to identify compelling trends to create content around.
Content Strategist Skills
Content Strategy skills are essential for anyone looking to transition into a career as a Content Strategist. These skills include the ability to plan, create, and manage content that aligns with a company’s business objectives and user needs.
One key aspect of the role is content planning, which includes creating, curating, planning, and researching content.
To develop this skill, it’s important to understand how to identify the target audience and their needs, as well as how to create engaging content that aligns with the company’s brand and message. Practicing writing and editing skills can be a great way to gain experience in this area.
1. Strong Writing and Editing Skills
A Content Strategist must have the ability to write clear, compelling, and engaging content that aligns with a brand’s voice and tone. They must also have strong editing skills to ensure the content is accurate, error-free, and meets the company’s standards.
2. Strategic Thinking
A Content Strategist must be able to think strategically and develop a content plan that aligns with the company’s business goals and objectives.
3. Project Management
A Content Strategist must be able to manage multiple projects and deadlines, and coordinate with different teams and stakeholders to ensure the content is delivered on time.
4. Research and Analytical Skill
A Content Strategist must be able to conduct research and analyze data to identify trends, customer needs, and opportunities for creating impactful content.
5. Understanding of SEO
A Content Strategist must have a good understanding of SEO principles and how to optimize content for search engines.
6. Understanding of Social Media and Digital Marketing
A Content Strategist must have a good understanding of social media and digital marketing channels, and how to use them to reach and engage with target audiences.
7. Strong Communication and Collaboration
A Content Strategist must be able to communicate effectively with different teams and stakeholders, and collaborate with them to deliver effective content.
How to Become Content Strategist
A career as a Content Strategist can be financially rewarding, with an average annual salary in the USA of $85,859 according to ZipRecruiter.
To secure a job as a Content Strategist, it is typically important to have at least three to five years of experience in marketing-related roles such as digital content manager, web writer, or content editor.
Employers also usually require a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as English, journalism, communications, marketing, creative writing, technical writing, information management, or a similar subject.
Hands-on-Experience
To gain an advantage over other candidates, it can be beneficial to gain hands-on experience in digital content creation and editing, learn the basics of SEO, and build a skill set specific to the role of a Content Strategist.
Additionally, it’s important to find an employer and job that aligns with your strengths. If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a Content Strategist, starting with roles such as content creator, content editor, and SEO specialist can help you gain the necessary experience and skills.
In today’s rapidly changing workforce, it’s essential to continuously learn new skills to stay relevant and competitive.
Professionals must be willing to adapt and look beyond the skills of today to be successful in an unpredictable job market.