Content Strategist
Job Description:Content strategists are professionals responsible for planning, developing, and managing content for digital platforms, websites, and marketing campaigns
Job Category:What you will do:
Here are the key responsibilities and activities typically associated with the role of content strategists:
- work closely with stakeholders to define content objectives, identify target audiences, and establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure success
- conduct research to understand the target audience’s needs, preferences, and behaviours
- tailor content to resonate with specific demographics
- create editorial calendars outlining the publication schedule for different types of content, ensuring a consistent and organised approach to content production
- collaborate with writers, designers, videographers, and other content creators to produce high-quality and engaging content
- develop content guidelines, style guides, and branding guidelines to maintain consistency in voice, tone, style, and messaging across all content
- perform keyword research to identify relevant keywords and phrases to incorporate into content
- optimise content for SEO, making sure that it ranks well in search engine results pages (SERPs) and attracts organic traffic
- plan how and where to distribute content, whether through the organisation’s website, social media platforms, email marketing, or other channels.
Skills:
You’ll need:
- to understand the fundamentals of content marketing, including audience research, content planning, distribution strategies, and performance measurement
- to understand the demographics, preferences, behaviours, and needs of your target audience
- to be proficient in content creation, including writing, editing, graphic design, video production, and other relevant content formats
- be familiar with SEO techniques to optimise content for search engines, improve visibility, and attract organic traffic
- proficiency in web analytics tools like Google Analytics to track and analyse content performance and user behaviou
- understanding of UX principles to ensure that content is user-friendly, accessible, and aligned with user needs
As well as:
- strong strategic thinking skills
- creativity to generate fresh and innovative content ideas that resonate with the target audience (creative skills)
- analytical skills
- to communicate effectively with team members, clients, and stakeholders, conveying content strategies and recommendations clearly
- to manage content projects efficiently, including setting priorities, meeting deadlines, and coordinating with team members
- to collaborate with cross-functional teams, including designers, writers, developers, and marketers, to execute content strategies (teamwork skills)
- to be adaptable to changing trends, technologies, and audience preferences in the dynamic field of content marketing
- to effectively manage your time to balance multiple content projects and meet deadlines.
- negotiation skills
Entry Requirements:
Becoming a Content Strategist typically involves a higher education path and experience in writing, marketing, or communications rather than specific qualifications. However, certain subjects and skills from your studies can be valuable in preparing you for a career in content strategy. Here are some subjects that can be beneficial:
- English Language: Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential for content strategists, as they create and oversee written content. Focus on improving your grammar, vocabulary, and writing style.
- Media Studies (Optional): If your school offers media studies, consider taking this subject to gain insights into media production, storytelling techniques, and audience analysis, which are relevant to content strategy.
- Business Studies (Optional): Courses in business studies can provide an understanding of marketing principles, branding, and consumer behaviour, which are valuable in content strategy.
- IT and Computer Science (Optional): Familiarity with digital tools and technology is important, as content strategists often work with content management systems (CMS), analytics tools, and digital marketing platforms.
- Mathematics (Optional): Basic math skills can be useful for interpreting data and metrics related to content performance and engagement.
Post School
Higher Education
Many content strategists hold bachelor’s degrees in fields such as marketing, communications, journalism, English, or a related discipline. Some also pursue master’s degrees or specialised certifications in content strategy.
Portfolio Development
Create a portfolio showcasing your content strategy projects and writing samples. This can be valuable when seeking job opportunities.
Networking
Build connections within the marketing and content strategy community by attending industry events, webinars, and joining professional associations.
Career Tips
Content Strategists plan, develop, and oversee content that aligns with an organisation’s goals and engages its target audience. Building a strong educational foundation, gaining practical experience, and staying updated with content marketing trends are important steps toward a successful career in content strategy.
Working Hours and Environment:
Typically you could work 32 to 36 hours a week, occasionally including evenings or weekends.
You could work in an office or from home, occasionally travelling to meet clients.
Career Path & Progression:
Share your expertise by teaching content strategy courses, conducting workshops, or providing training sessions for marketing teams.
Present at industry conferences, write articles, or publish books to establish yourself as a thought leader in content strategy.
Join content marketing or digital marketing associations and attend conferences and webinars to stay updated on industry trends.
Mentor junior content strategists or writers looking to enter the field.