What does a content editor do?

A content editor is an individual who is responsible for proof-reading articles written by content writers and write blog posts to promote the products and services of an organization. Content editors are responsible for producing monthly newsletters and optimize written pieces to increase user engagement. They need to interact with the consumers with the purpose of sourcing feedback on the content's impact actively. Content editors must also conduct business research on current trends to give the company an edge over the competition.
Content editor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real content editor resumes:
- Work with W3C standardize CSS to achieve design goals.
- Coordinate and manage a team of photographers who work on NBA games throughout the league.
- Identify, create and manage QA projects to improve data consistency and accuracy using SQL to extract data.
- Manage editorial department by editing and publishing daily content for website and daily e-newsletter.
- Develop SEO strategies to increase profitability and manage social media to spread brand awareness and bolster readership.
- Develop social media content for different outlets such as Facebook, Instagram, Youtube channel and the blog's webpage.
- Provide content editing and utilize WordPress editorial calendar to plan weekly posts.
- Maintain Facebook presence for clients.
- Assist with updating and proofreading online content.
- Assist in migration of data into Drupal.
- Prepare, proofreading and edit marketing materials, websites and advertising campaigns.
- Ensure consistency, appearance, and function (e.g., HTML links) of newsletter.
- Create and edit virtual editions of magazines for mobile devices and desktop platforms using HTML coding.
- Include coding QA for CSS driven layout, links to products, external linking and article editing
- Create large-scale Microsoft PowerPoint presentations that are incorporated into an online course player, complete with video and accompanying text.
Content editor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Content Editors are proficient in Digital Content, Web Content, and Digital Marketing. They’re also known for soft skills such as Good judgment, Interpersonal skills, and Writing skills.
We break down the percentage of Content Editors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Digital Content, 8%
Researched and catalog physical artifacts and digital content following MARC cataloging rules.
- Web Content, 7%
Web content copywriter and product description contributor and editor.
- Digital Marketing, 4%
Promoted to Digital Marketing Manager.
- WordPress, 4%
Ensured stories are filed properly in WordPress and contained all required elements, including art, excerpt, categories, etc.
- Video Content, 4%
Design and deliver motion graphic and video content for global distribution of mainstream television productions.
- Content Marketing, 4%
Developed and implemented content marketing strategy for IT managed services company.
Most content editors use their skills in "digital content," "web content," and "digital marketing" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential content editor responsibilities here:
Good judgment. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a content editor to have is good judgment. Their role and responsibilities require that "editors decide whether certain stories are ethical and whether there is enough evidence to publish them." Content editors often use good judgment in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "worked with social media accounts (twitter & fb), goodreads and company webpages. "
Interpersonal skills. Another essential skill to perform content editor duties is interpersonal skills. Content editors responsibilities require that "in working with writers, editors must have tact and the ability to guide and encourage them in their work." Content editors also use interpersonal skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "coordinated interpersonal relations between editorial staff, artists, writers and judges. "
Writing skills. This is an important skill for content editors to perform their duties. For an example of how content editor responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "editors ensure that all written content has correct grammar, punctuation, and syntax." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a content editor: "edited blog entries and press releases for publication instructed blog writers on how to improve on their writing and their message".
Creativity. content editor responsibilities often require "creativity." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "editors must be imaginative, curious, and knowledgeable in a broad range of topics." This resume example shows what content editors do with creativity on a typical day: "maintain web content and developed ideas for creative story features and blogs. "
Detail oriented. Another common skill required for content editor responsibilities is "detail oriented." This skill comes up in the duties of content editors all the time, as "editors must be meticulous to ensure that material is error free and matches the style of a publication." An excerpt from a real content editor resume shows how this skill is central to what a content editor does: "designed detailed sales pages, press releases, and lead generating email templates for entrepreneurs and small businesses. "
The three companies that hire the most content editors are:
- Wolters Kluwer36 content editors jobs
- Ernst & Young16 content editors jobs
- Tribune Publishing14 content editors jobs
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Content editor vs. Journalist
A journalist is responsible for creating written correspondence, covering various subjects as the management requires. This task involves a lot of research investigations, conducting interviews, and gathering reliable sources to verify the authenticity of data before releasing the articles on news portals and other social platforms. Journalists should have excellent communication skills, both written and oral, conveying information to the target audience with high accuracy and efficiency. They analyze opinions and testimonies, create eye-catching headlines, and ensure adherence to deadlines.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a content editor are more likely to require skills like "digital content," "digital marketing," "wordpress," and "video content." On the other hand, a job as a journalist requires skills like "excellent interpersonal," "multimedia," "local community," and "edit video." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Journalists earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $64,488. On the other hand, content editors are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $67,034.The education levels that journalists earn slightly differ from content editors. In particular, journalists are 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a content editor. Additionally, they're 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Content editor vs. Writer
A writer can have different responsibilities depending on which industry or line of work they are involved. There are writers assigned in a corporate setting, some in journalism, while there are also writers in the entertainment Industry. Although they focus on varying types of writing, they all function to inform. Among the typical duties of writers involve producing content within allotted time or deadline, gather information and verify to ensure accuracy, proofread, and undergo review and revisions.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that content editor responsibilities requires skills like "digital content," "digital marketing," "wordpress," and "video content." But a writer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "work ethic," "strong work ethic," "basic math," and "customer service."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Writers tend to reach similar levels of education than content editors. In fact, they're 1.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for content editors in the next 3-5 years?
Content editor vs. Editing internship
An editorial intern is responsible for assisting the editorial department of an organization with publishing various media and digital content. Editorial interns shadow tenured editorial staff on researching stories, validating information, writing captivating articles, interviewing target audiences, and screening submitted manuscripts. They also assist in planning promotional strategies and marketing campaigns, such as monitoring press releases, posting on social media platforms, and developing marketing materials. An editorial intern must have excellent organizational skills, most importantly, a fast-learner to understand complex tasks and perform assigned duties under minimal supervision.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from content editor resumes include skills like "digital content," "digital marketing," "wordpress," and "content marketing," whereas an editing internship is more likely to list skills in "video footage," "photography," "adobe premiere pro," and "video production. "
Editing interns typically earn lower educational levels compared to content editors. Specifically, they're 6.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Content editor vs. Reporter
In journalism, a reporter is responsible for relaying truthful and reliable information to the public audience through various mediums such as print and media. A reporter must ensure to gather necessary and factual data that are supported by interviews and comments of those involved, remain unbiased in all aspects, produce a concise and comprehensive informational material within an allotted time, and efficiently coordinate with every staff. Furthermore, a reporter must remain professional at all times and adhere to the policies and regulations set by the company or network.
Types of content editor
Updated January 8, 2025











