How to hire an entertainment writer

How to hire an entertainment writer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step entertainment writer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an entertainment writer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new entertainment writer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The entertainment writer hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An entertainment writer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, entertainment writers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of entertainment writer salaries for various roles:

   Type of Entertainment Writer	Description	Hourly rate
   Entertainment Writer	Technical writers, also called technical communicators, prepare instruction manuals, how-to guides, journal articles, and other supporting documents to communicate complex and technical information more easily. They also develop, gather, and disseminate technical information through an organization’s communications channels.	$14-35
   Technical Writer And Editor	A technical writer and editor is primarily responsible for producing written content that defines and explains technical concepts to inform and educate readers. As a writer, it is essential to research and fact-check details to ensure the material's accuracy and value... Show more	$24-39
   Technical Writer/Trainer	As a Technical Writer or Trainer, you will be responsible for conducting specific tasks that pertain to technical writing, technical training, and instructional design and development. Your duties will include creating and developing some basic procedures or instructions for paper, multimedia, and web-based publication... Show more	$21-41

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • WordPress
   • POP Culture
   • SEO
   • News Stories
   • Local Arts
   • Feature Stories
   • Entertainment News
   • Conduct Interviews
   • Local Events
   • Photography
   • Press Releases
   • Opinion Pieces
   • Music Events
   • CMS

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Cover fashion, YouTube celebrities and community functions.
   • Stay update on all news regarding the NFL.
   • Write and edit content for legal space blog and twitter feed
   • Assist the editor-in-chief with all aspects of magazine editing and reporting.
   • Research and write performer biographies for use online and in production fliers.
   • Contribute a variety of written works, including fiction, poetry, and editorial pieces.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your entertainment writer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An entertainment writer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, entertainment writers' average salary in mississippi is 54% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level entertainment writers earn 59% less than senior-level entertainment writers.
   • Certifications. An entertainment writer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an entertainment writer's salary.

   Average entertainment writer salary

   $47,693yearly

   $22.93 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level entertainment writer salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing an entertainment writer job description

   An entertainment writer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an entertainment writer job description:

   Entertainment writer job description example

   This is a paid freelance, remote position.
   
   Screen Rant is the #1 entertainment website on the web and publishes u p-to-the-minute news on blockbuster movies, TV, video games, and comic books . Our editorial team is looking for eager Weekend writers to contribute Movie/TV Features content under the leadership of the Movie/TV Features Lead Editor. The selected candidates will have tremendous career growth opportunity within the organization. Please note that this role does not involve video production or script writing.
   
   Above all else, we are looking for applicants with a passion for the type of content we cover. Before applying, please visit screenrant.com and review our coverage. If you think you belong within our geeky community of writers and editors but have no professional writing experience, we would be more than happy to consider your application nonetheless. We pride ourselves on having a passion-first, experience-second approach to hiring writing talent. In your cover letter, make sure to let us know how your knowledge and love of movies applies to Screen Rant's content!
   
   Responsibilities
   
   + Write a minimum of 3-4 articles over the Weekend in Screen Rant's house style (following the requisite training and peer mentorship period)
   
   + This will include fact checking, formatting, linking, and image sourcing/very basic editing (sizing, brightness, etc.)
   
   + Pitch story ideas when none are readily available
   
   + Accept and apply any/all feedback received by the editorial team
   
   + Communicate openly and actively with the editorial team
   
   Requirements
   
   + A passion for the content and a drive to grow within the industry
   
   + Broad working knowledge of Movies/TV in general, especially blockbusters and major franchises (DC Movies, MCU, Star Wars, Star Trek, popular streaming content)
   
   + Quick learner with strong sense of urgency
   
   + Excellent command of the English language
   
   + Ability to write articles free of typos and grammatical errors
   
   + Comfortable working in an entirely virtual environment
   
   + Be able to write on the weekends (Saturday and Sunday)
   
   Applicants with experience in the following areas will be given favorable consideration:
   
   + Understanding of what it means to write a "Feature"
   
   + Relevant experience in writing and/or editing roles (digital publications, entertainment content)
   
   + Familiarity with Wordpress
   
   + Image editing
   
   + SEO
   
   + Analytics (GA)
   
   What Screen Rant has to offer:
   
   + Open schedule - write as much as you like, whenever you like, from wherever you like!
   
   + Future bonusing opportunities for high contributors of quality articles
   
   + Incredible opportunities for career growth within a supportive system
   
   + An amazing community of like-minded people to nerd-out with on a daily basis
   
   NOTE: Only applications containing a resume and cover letter will be considered. It is essential that you demonstrate your breadth of knowledge of popular Movie/TV content in your cover letter. You will not be considered for the role if this information is not included. Please note that the next step in the hiring process involves a writing evaluation.
   
   We're looking forward to hearing from you!
   
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5. Post your job

   To find the right entertainment writer for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with entertainment writers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entertainment writers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your entertainment writer job on Zippia to find and recruit entertainment writer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit entertainment writers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new entertainment writer

   Once you've decided on a perfect entertainment writer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new entertainment writer. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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