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Lead writer skills for your resume and career
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted experts
Thomas Reynolds,
Ted Anton
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical lead writer skills. We ranked the top skills for lead writers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 17.5% of lead writer resumes contained web content as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a lead writer needs to be successful in the workplace.
15 lead writer skills for your resume and career
1. Web Content
Here's how lead writers use web content:
- Lead a team of 5 writers in producing daily Web Content with a focus on the Carolina Panthers.
- Develop web content and shopping guides for Best Buy's second website, targeted to women.
2. Content Strategy
Here's how lead writers use content strategy:
- Launched program, set schedules as well as content strategy, edited tips, and tested code examples.
- Aligned content strategy and schedule to overall Windows Server plans and schedule.
3. Integrated Marketing
Here's how lead writers use integrated marketing:
- Supported advertising clients through integrated marketing and commercial campaigns.
- Directed and executed all writing services for the semiconductor clients of multi-national, technology-focused, integrated marketing agency.
4. Video Scripts
A video script is a document and an outline for one's digital video. It's a chronological preview that conveys the narrative and message that includes descriptions of scenes, actions, instructions, camera cues, post-production notes, and dialogue that one would want to see in their video.
Here's how lead writers use video scripts:
- Developed content for marketing materials, video scripts, newsletters and other online media.
- Generated miscellaneous written materials: speeches, video scripts, event invitations and formal industry correspondence.
5. Blog Posts
Blog post refers to information that you write on a blog. It can include content in the form of text, photos, infographics, or videos.
Here's how lead writers use blog posts:
- Converged stories, facts and statistics to create intriguing blog posts, news stories, white papers and landing pages.
- Published hundreds of authoritative blog posts, routinely earning shares by other sites.
6. Subject Matter Experts
Here's how lead writers use subject matter experts:
- Work with subject matter experts, management and Department of Energy (DOE) Representatives for the integration of project activities.
- Worked collaboratively with a diverse team of writers, graphic designers, trainers, and subject matter experts.
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Here's how lead writers use press releases:
- Secured media coverage by identifying public relations opportunities, pitching story ideas, writing press releases and disseminating to media.
- Generate and distribute press releases, crisis-response articles, booklet/brochure copy and other informational/promotional material.
8. HTML
Here's how lead writers use html:
- Developed strategies for single-sourcing HTML Help-based and ASCII-based documentation (UNIX man pages).
- Created personal Web site in HTML.
9. Search Engine Optimization
Here's how lead writers use search engine optimization:
- Create various business writing solutions for successful client search engine optimization results.
- Search engine optimization for website including keywords, descriptions, titling, etc.
10. Content Management
Here's how lead writers use content management:
- Administer SharePoint site for content management and document approval process.
- Played a significant role in the transition to a new content management system designed to help DoD better organize VI records.
11. Content Creation
Here's how lead writers use content creation:
- Managed user-side CMS, balancing content creation tasks between IT and marketing departments.
- Supervised writing department, facilitating content creation and management tasks while improving content quality and productivity.
12. XML
XML is a medium for storing and transporting data that is independent of software and hardware. XML stands for eXtensible Markup Language. XML, like HTML, is a markup language that was created to store and transport data. It was created with the intention of being self-descriptive. There are no predefined tags in the XML language. Another feature is that XML is extensible.
Here's how lead writers use xml:
- Spearheaded and developed an online documentation system utilizing XML designed to replace paper manuals with on the fly documentation generation.
- Developed functional and technical requirements documents for an interactive television application and an XML conversion utility.
13. Twitter
Here's how lead writers use twitter:
- Managed Google plus, Facebook, and Twitter account for the brand.
- Promote page through management of team Facebook and Twitter accounts.
14. News Articles
Here's how lead writers use news articles:
- Write daily news articles covering the emerging sport of professional disc golf.
- Work ranged from financial, environmental and philanthropic reporting to corporate news articles, executive profiles and product/process features.
15. Comic Books
Here's how lead writers use comic books:
- Script, edit, and finalize issues of comic book series (MANIA) as well as other assigned writing projects.
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What skills help Lead Writers find jobs?
Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.
What lead writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Thomas Reynolds
Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies, University of Minnesota
Technical writing and communication can span many fields. However, there are specific fields that are especially open to technical communication, such as information technology and computer software (technical documentation, for example), as well as medical and health fields. Many of our graduates work for companies that involve computer technology, such as software companies and content management for web consulting firms. In addition, many of our graduates work in biomedical companies that require technical and global documentation of medical devices.
I can't say that I know of a sure bet, but places that deal with medical technology, healthcare, and related fields are probably going to need people well trained to communicate specialized knowledge to a variety of audiences and in a variety of ways. Telemedicine seems to have gained a more permanent stronghold in the healthcare system, and I imagine that the various communication channels involved in this new way of practicing medicine will open opportunities for well-trained graduates such as ours who are willing to be pioneers in this area.
I can't say that I know of a sure bet, but places that deal with medical technology, healthcare, and related fields are probably going to need people well trained to communicate specialized knowledge to a variety of audiences and in a variety of ways. Telemedicine seems to have gained a more permanent stronghold in the healthcare system, and I imagine that the various communication channels involved in this new way of practicing medicine will open opportunities for well-trained graduates such as ours who are willing to be pioneers in this area.
What type of skills will young lead writers need?
Ted Anton
Professor, DePaul University
They will need to know how to understand and communicate complex information, often contradictory, in a catchy and understandable way. They will have to read professional data online, in business, medicine, health, you name it and then create a sales or summary pitch for investors. So, reading, writing, communication skills will continue to be important. Math, of course, is a big plus, but up to the advanced algebra level... Statistical skills will be helpful. Overall, employers are seeking curious, adventurous, bold, and creative thinkers and communicators for an ever-changing world.
What technical skills for a lead writer stand out to employers?
Kate Kurtin Ph.D.
Associate Professor, California State University, Los Angeles
Every article on the subject says that communication skills are the most important skills to have when on the job market - and this is not my bias speaking, even Warren Buffet said it! Public speaking, critical thinking, interpersonal skills, etc., these are things that stand out to employers.
Do you want to know more?
Read more about what experts have to say about lead writerList of lead writer skills to add to your resume
The most important skills for a lead writer resume and required skills for a lead writer to have include:
- Web Content
- Content Strategy
- Integrated Marketing
- Video Scripts
- Blog Posts
- Subject Matter Experts
- Press Releases
- HTML
- Search Engine Optimization
- Content Management
- Content Creation
- XML
- News Articles
- Comic Books
- SMEs
- User Interface
- Proofread
- Sketch
- Style Guides
- FrameMaker
- Feature Stories
- News Stories
- Blogging
- NFL
- Content Marketing
- Adobe Photoshop
- Editorials
- Training Materials
- NBA
- PowerPoint
- User Guides
- CMS
- Staff Writers
- Windows Server
- Website Copy
- SharePoint
- FDA
- Fiction
- QA
- Copywriting
- Technical Writers
- PC
- External Communications
- Technical Documentation
- Web Site
- RFP
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025