Post job

What does a content strategist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Paula Ketter

A content strategist specializes in creating engaging and captivating content to increase brand awareness and shape company image. One of their responsibilities is to conduct marketing research and analysis to understand the current trends among consumers and determine what kind of strategy would work best with the public. Moreover, a content strategist mainly coordinates with writers and content managers, collaborating with them in developing marketing materials. A content strategist may also perform administrative tasks such as managing schedules, producing progress reports, creating presentations, and maintaining the projects' documentation.

On this page

Content strategist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real content strategist resumes:

  • Manage paid, earn and own content distribution channels including PPC, SEO and SEM.
  • Manage assets of the major film studios using proprietary CMS technology to monitor copyright material on YouTube.
  • Manage content-strategy and copywriting engagements for a global interactive ad agency.
  • Manage implementation of marketing automation software and lead integration with CRM to improve tracking and visibility into campaign performance.
  • Leverage analytics to increase marketing ROI and provide leadership with marketing effectiveness reports.
  • Implement new strategies for PPC & SEO campaigns.
  • Put together links for PayPal and other WordPress plugins.
  • Use social media and LinkedIn including pulse posts to promote content.
  • Keep pace with search engine and PPC industry trends and developments.
  • Create SEO directory submissions and create content for the Drupal base website.
  • Leverage SEO, press release syndication, and target social media marketing to promote brand awareness.
  • Plan and produce web sites that incorporate streaming video, WordPress blogs, and other forms of new media.
  • Create and set-up their Pinterest page with detail boards and pins with extensive amount of creativity pack into each one.
  • Perform core copywriting across media.
  • Interact with customers via Facebook to ensure customer satisfaction.

Content strategist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 14% of Content Strategists are proficient in Content Strategy, Digital Marketing, and Digital Content. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Detail oriented, and Creativity.

We break down the percentage of Content Strategists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Content Strategy, 14%

    Developed educational commentary pieces, social media projects and content strategy services for a diversity of domestic and international clients.

  • Digital Marketing, 10%

    Developed comprehensive taxonomy and metadata standards governing the product portfolio to facilitate modern, digital marketing and merchandising.

  • Digital Content, 6%

    Identified and analyzed emerging digital trends to contribute forward-thinking concepts and designs for proposals and digital content campaigns.

  • User Experience, 5%

    Managed the development of a comprehensive user experience design strategy for professional sellers on a leading international e-commerce site.

  • Content Marketing, 4%

    Customize doable e-content marketing strategies for businesses.

  • Content Creation, 3%

    Provided holistic digital solutions for content creation, implementation and management.

"content strategy," "digital marketing," and "digital content" are among the most common skills that content strategists use at work. You can find even more content strategist responsibilities below, including:

Customer-service skills. The most essential soft skill for a content strategist to carry out their responsibilities is customer-service skills. This skill is important for the role because "webmasters have to respond politely and correctly to user questions and requests." Additionally, a content strategist resume shows how their duties depend on customer-service skills: "work with a range of solution teams to plan and execute content marketing strategies that address customer business challenges. "

Detail oriented. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling content strategist duties is detail oriented. The role rewards competence in this skill because "web developers need to have an eye for detail, because a minor error in coding could cause an entire webpage to stop working." According to a content strategist resume, here's how content strategists can utilize detail oriented in their job responsibilities: "project management to ensure all projects have a complete detailed execution timeline, accountabilities are understood and deadlines are met. "

Creativity. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of content strategists is creativity. This skill is critical to many everyday content strategist duties, as "web developers often are involved in designing the appearance of a website and must make sure that it is appealing as well as functional." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "content development, graphic design, creative concepts, brand guidelines and advertising. "

All content strategist skills

Choose from 10+ customizable content strategist resume templates

Build a professional content strategist resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your content strategist resume.
Content Strategist Resume
Content Strategist Resume
Content Strategist Resume
Content Strategist Resume
Content Strategist Resume
Content Strategist Resume
Content Strategist Resume
Content Strategist Resume
Content Strategist Resume
Content Strategist Resume
Content Strategist Resume
Content Strategist Resume
Content Strategist Resume
Content Strategist Resume
Content Strategist Resume
Content Strategist Resume

Compare different content strategists

Content strategist vs. Java/j2ee developer

Java developers are in charge of the design, development, and management of Java-based applications. Whereas, J2EE or Java 2 Platform Enterprise Edition developers are responsible for developing web and software enterprise-internet level applications. Both developers utilize the Java programming language, but the first one develops desktop-based applications while the later develop enterprise-related applications. Java developers have many roles and responsibilities, and they vary based on the applications that they develop and design.

If we compare the average content strategist annual salary with that of a java/j2ee developer, we find that java/j2ee developers typically earn a $2,677 lower salary than content strategists make annually.Even though content strategists and java/j2ee developers are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require ui, html, and css in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a content strategist are more likely to require skills like "content strategy," "digital marketing," "digital content," and "user experience." On the other hand, a job as a java/j2ee developer requires skills like "web application," "java," "javascript," and "database." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Java/j2ee developers tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $100,301. In contrast, content strategists make the biggest average salary, $108,505, in the technology industry.java/j2ee developers tend to reach similar levels of education than content strategists. In fact, java/j2ee developers are 3.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Content strategist vs. Java developer

A Java developer is responsible for developing Java-based applications, including its strong efficiency and smooth operations for the clients and business' use. Java developers implement application designs, diagnosing ineffective processes, and conducting troubleshooting. A Java developer must ensure the stability of the application before launch to provide the best user experience. Software developers must have an excellent command of programming languages, software analysis, system codes, and other technical specifications. A software developer maintains a record of the processes and issues resolutions for reference and improvement opportunities.

Java developer positions earn lower pay than content strategist roles. They earn a $5,197 lower salary than content strategists per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Content strategists and java developers both require similar skills like "digital transformation," "ui," and "html" to carry out their responsibilities.

Each career also uses different skills, according to real content strategist resumes. While content strategist responsibilities can utilize skills like "content strategy," "digital marketing," "digital content," and "user experience," java developers use skills like "java," "spring boot," "database," and "web application."

On average, java developers earn a lower salary than content strategists. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, java developers earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $96,841. Whereas content strategists have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $108,505.java developers earn higher levels of education than content strategists in general. They're 6.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for content strategists in the next 3-5 years?

Paula KetterPaula Ketter LinkedIn profile

Senior Manager, Association for Talent Development

According to ATD's Future of Work: Technology, Predictions, and Preparing the Workforce research report, the adoption of new technologies such as automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things will affect how employees perform their jobs. Technologies such as these may take over a few tasks employees perform as part of their jobs-and, in some cases, jobs may be replaced entirely.
E-learning's use in organizations is on the rise. It currently makes up between 21 and 40 percent of the median organization's learning portfolio, compared to between 1 and 20 percent five years ago, according to Association for Talent Development research. The COVID-19 pandemic is driving organizations to rethink how they provide learning to their employees.
And with that rise in e-learning comes the increase in use of podcasts, video, simulations, games, and virtual platforms.

Content strategist vs. Web developer

A web developer is responsible for designing and maintaining a website to attract customers and direct web traffic. Web developers' duty also includes analyzing software and database to develop new applications. A web developer must have extensive knowledge of programming languages and technology solutions to provide the best web design services for the clients, following their specifications, and submitting projects on or before the deadline. Web developers should have excellent time-management and decision-making skills to do tasks efficiently and accurately.

An average web developer eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of content strategists. The difference in salaries amounts to web developers earning a $14,697 lower average salary than content strategists.By looking over several content strategists and web developers resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "user experience," "sketch," and "wordpress." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

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 strategist resumes include skills like "content strategy," "digital marketing," "digital content," and "content marketing," whereas a web developer is more likely to list skills in "javascript," "web forms," "jquery," and "front end. "

Web developers earn the best pay in the professional industry, where they command an average salary of $85,832. Content strategists earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $108,505.web developers typically earn similar educational levels compared to content strategists. Specifically, they're 1.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Content strategist vs. Net developer

A NET developer specializes in crafting and producing various software and information systems through extensive computer and information technology knowledge. A NET developer's responsibilities range from designing and developing applications, generating codes and building a secure database, implementing regulations, and providing continuous support and maintenance. A NET developer must also have an active line of communication and coordination as there are instances when one's work revolves in a team setting or meets particular demands or specifications from a client.

Net developers typically earn lower pay than content strategists. On average, net developers earn a $4,688 lower salary per year.While their salaries may vary, content strategists and net developers both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "ui," "html," and "css. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between content strategists and net developers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a content strategist might have more use for skills like "content strategy," "digital marketing," "digital content," and "user experience." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of net developers require skills like "sql server," "t-sql," "c # .net," and "javascript. "

The retail industry tends to pay the highest salaries for net developers, with average annual pay of $94,650. Comparatively, the highest content strategist annual salary comes from the technology industry.In general, net developers hold similar degree levels compared to content strategists. Net developers are 3.4% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of content strategist

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse computer and mathematical jobs