How to hire a lead writer

How to hire a lead writer, step by step

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

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a lead writer, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A lead writer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, lead 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.

   This list presents lead writer salaries for various positions.

   Type of Lead Writer	Description	Hourly rate
   Lead 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.	$29-72
   Content Developer	A content developer is responsible for creating digital content, designing technical deliverables, and developing content strategies by analyzing current market trends to attract clients, driving more revenues, and increasing the company's profitability. Content developers also manage the distribution of the contents, following the clients' specifications or the business requirements... Show more	$24-48
   Writer And Editor	Writing is not an easy task, so a Writer and an Editor must work together to deliver quality content. A writer's role is to gather information to create a structured written material that would serve its purpose, whether for recreational or informational... Show more	$17-49

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2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Web Content
   • Content Strategy
   • Integrated Marketing
   • Video Scripts
   • Blog Posts
   • Subject Matter Experts
   • Press Releases
   • HTML
   • Search Engine Optimization
   • Content Management
   • Content Creation
   • XML
   • Twitter
   • News Articles

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Create and manage print and online documentation for Linux and web-base security software.
   • Develop information model for migration to a DITA xml-base content management system and structure authoring tool.
   • Assist in developing training objectives and supporting documentation both for in-person and online delivery using RoboHelp.
   • Spearhead and develop an online documentation system utilizing XML design to replace paper manuals with on the fly documentation generation.
   • Gather and produce news sound clips.
   • Produce national television programming including short news roll-ins, teasers, man-on-the-street and fundraising clips.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your lead writer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A lead writer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, lead writers' average salary in hawaii is 68% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level lead writers 59% less than senior-level lead writers.
   • Certifications. A lead writer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a lead writer's salary.

   Average lead writer salary

   $96,798yearly

   $46.54 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level lead writer salary

   $62,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

4. Writing a lead writer job description

   A job description for a lead writer role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a lead writer job description:

   Lead writer job description example

   WHO ARE WE?
   
   Live Nation Entertainment is the world's leading live entertainment company, comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Media & Sponsorship. Ticketmaster is the global leader in event ticketing with over 500 million tickets sold annually and more than 12,000 clients worldwide. Live Nation Concerts is the largest provider of live entertainment in the world promoting more than 40,000 shows and 100+ festivals annually for nearly 4,000 artists in over 40 countries. These businesses allow Live Nation Media & Sponsorship to create strategic music marketing programs that connect over 1,000 brands with the 98 million fans that attend Live Nation each year. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.
   
   WHO ARE YOU?
   
   Passionate and motivated. Driven, with an entrepreneurial spirit. Resourceful, innovative, forward thinking and committed. At Live Nation Entertainment, our people embrace these qualities, so if this sounds like you then please read on!
   
   THE JOB
   
   Live Nation Content Studio is looking for Lead Writer / Editor to help plan and produce engaging web content for Setlist.FM and other Live Nation O&O properties and initiatives. You will write 2-4 blogs daily based on music news and site traffic data. Key responsibilities include: assisting the Editorial Director in managing the editorial calendar, contributing ideas in weekly editorial meetings and brainstorm sessions, researching, interviewing artists, copyedit, generating creative ideas based on site analytics and user patterns, and managing a freelance network of writers. You are comfortable operating at a fast pace while juggling multiple projects and possess exceptional attention to detail. A passion for music, data and a "can do" approach are musts.
   
   WHAT THIS ROLE WILL DO
   
   + Manage the editorial calendar - adding tour kickoffs, setlist histories and other dates relevant to the creation of content in the live music space
   
   + Write 2-4 blog posts per day
   
   + Oversee the freelance writer network, including managing communication, coordination on project needs, and handling invoices
   
   + Copyedit and QC freelancer blogs before publishing
   
   + Research and write creative briefs, pitch decks, product one-sheets and other creative materials
   
   + Brainstorm and develop new editorial products
   
   + Contribute in weekly editorial meetings and brainstorms
   
   + Participate in breakout meetings for festivals, seasonal feature packages, branded content projects, and major music events
   
   + Open to both giving and receiving feedback
   
   + Carry out all assignments in an organized and timely manner
   
   WHAT THIS PERSON WILL BRING
   
   + College degree or equivalent
   
   + 3+ years writing/editing experience
   
   + Demonstrate technical, creative and professional expertise
   
   + Excellent verbal and written communication skills
   
   + Proficient in Google Suite, Slack
   
   + Highly organized and detail-oriented
   
   BENEFITS & PERKS
   
   Our motto is 'Taking Care of Our Own' through 6 pillars of benefits:
   
   + HEALTH: Medical, Vision and Dental benefits for you and your family, including Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
   
   + YOURSELF: Generous paid time off policy including paid holidays, sick time and paid days off for your birthday, Free concert tickets
   
   + WEALTH: 401(k) program with company match, Stock Program
   
   + FAMILY: New parent programs & support including caregiver leave and baby bonuses, infertility support
   
   + CAREER: Tuition reimbursement, student loan repayment internal growth and development programs & trainings
   
   + OTHERS: Volunteer time off, crowdfunding network
   
   EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
   
   We are passionate and committed to our people and go beyond the rhetoric of diversity and inclusion. You will be working in an inclusive environment and be encouraged to bring your whole self to work. We will do all that we can to help you successfully balance your work and homelife. As a growing business we will encourage you to develop your professional and personal aspirations, enjoy new experiences, and learn from the talented people you will be working with. It's talent that matters to us and we encourage applications from people irrespective of their gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability status or caring responsibilities.
   
   Live Nation strongly supports equal employment opportunity for all applicants regardless of age (40 and over), ancestry, color, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), family and medical care leave or the denial of family and medical care leave, mental or physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), marital status, domestic partner status, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, military and veteran status, political affiliation, national origin (including language use restrictions), citizenship, race, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding), gender, gender identity, and gender expression, sexual orientation, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law, rule, ordinance or regulation.
   
   We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act and consistent with other similar and / or applicable laws in other areas.
   
   We also afford equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with a disability. For this reason, Live Nation will make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified individual with a disability who is an applicant consistent with its legal obligations to do so, including reasonable accommodations related to pregnancy in accordance with applicable local, state and / or federal law. As part of its commitment to make reasonable accommodations, Live Nation also wishes to participate in a timely, good faith, interactive process with a disabled applicant to determine effective reasonable accommodations, if any, which can be made in response to a request for accommodations. Applicants are invited to identify reasonable accommodations that can be made to assist them to perform the essential functions of the position they seek. Any applicant who requires an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of the job should contact a Human Resources Representative to request the opportunity to participate in a timely interactive process. Live Nation will also provide reasonable religious accommodations on a case by case basis.
   
   HIRING PRACTICESThe preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.
   
   Live Nation recruitment policies are designed to place the most highly qualified persons available in a timely and efficient manner. Live Nation may pursue all avenues available, including promotion from within, employee referrals, outside advertising, employment agencies, internet recruiting, job fairs, college recruiting and search firms.

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5. Post your job

   To find lead writers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any lead writers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level lead writers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your lead writer job on Zippia to find and attract quality lead writer candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as problogger, media bistro, journalismjobs.com, content writing jobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit lead writers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   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 lead writer

   Once you've found the lead writer candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   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.

   To prepare for the new lead writer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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