Digital Content Editor

Learn about the role and responsibilities of a digital content editor. 

Digital Content Editor

Digital Content Editor

Learn about the role and responsibilities of a digital content editor. 

Content EditorIn this section of the Digital Business course module, we look at the role and responsibilities of a digital content editor.

This article is part of our free content management course series where we look at various digital roles and responsibilities that a content manager may need to oversee and assume, depending on the organizational structure of the business.

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Digital Content Editor Overview

A digital content editor is a professional who is responsible for managing and improving the quality of digital content for a brand or organization. This may include website content, social media posts, email campaigns, and online advertisements.

To be effective, a digital content editor must have strong writing and editing skills, as well as a deep understanding of the brand and its target audience. They must also be proficient in various content management tools and have a keen eye for detail.

In addition to editing and proofreading content, a digital content editor may also be responsible for managing a team of content creators and coordinators, as well as collaborating with other departments such as marketing and design. They may also be involved in developing and implementing a content strategy, which involves setting goals, identifying the target audience, and determining the most effective channels and tactics for reaching and engaging with that audience.

Overall, the role of a digital content editor is crucial in helping a brand or organization effectively communicate its message to its target audience. By ensuring that all digital content is of high quality and aligns with the brand’s overall marketing strategy, a digital content editor can help a brand effectively reach and engage with its target audience.

The video below provides an overview of the Editor role:

Source: U.S.  Bureau of Labor Statistics

Digital Content Editor Role

Editors plan, review, polish, refine, and revise content for publication.

The role may also involve overseeing and coordinating multiple writing projects simultaneously. Editors focus on making sure that the content reaches a particular audience and their schedules are generally determined by production deadlines and the type of editorial position.

Editors also typically work long hours under pressure to meet production deadlines and the stress of ensuring that all published information is correct.

There are different types of editors. For example:

  • Copy editor – proofread text for errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling and check for readability, style, and agreement with editorial policy. They suggest revisions, such as changing words and rearranging sentences and paragraphs to improve clarity or accuracy. They also may carry out research, confirm sources, and verify facts, dates, and statistics. In addition, they may arrange page layouts of articles, photographs, and advertising.
  • Subeditor – responsible for ensuring that all content is in line with the style guide, correcting spelling or grammatical errors, and fact-checking names, dates, and addresses. They’ll also rewrite copy if required, craft headlines, and raise any potential plagiarism issues.
  • Proofreader – carefully check all content for typos or spelling errors, ensure correct punctuation, and that captions, image credits, and page numbers make sense. Also, check for style consistency.
  • Assistant editors – are responsible for a particular subject, such as local news, international news, feature stories, or sports.
  • Executive editors – oversee assistant editors and generally have the final say about which stories are published and how those stories are covered. Executive editors typically hire writers, reporters, and other employees. They also plan budgets and negotiate contracts with freelance writers.

In smaller organizations, a single editor may do all the editorial duties or share them with a few other team members.

Digital Content Editor Duties And Responsibilities

Digital content editors:

  • Implement the organization’s content plan, develop content ideas, plan visual stories and multi-dimensional content, or evaluate submissions from writers (e.g. guest bloggers)
  • Adhere to the organization’s style manuals, editorial policies, and content production guidelines.
  • Work with writers and content authors to help them develop their ideas and meet their brief.
  • Offer comments and suggestions to improve the content, suggesting titles and headlines, etc.
  • Rewrite the text to improve comprehension, logical flow of ideas, and reader understanding, and guide the reader’s attention toward the areas that the audience should focus on.
  • Cut out content that doesn’t fit with the article.
  • Verify facts cited in material for publication.
  • Make decisions about the layout of text, photos, and illustrations in the content.
  • Ensure that all published content is free from spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors.
  • Review drafts and approve final versions.
  • Assume the final responsibility for all published content.

Digital Content Editor Role Requirements

Recruitment sites advertising the role of Content Editors recommend a person with a bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or English, along with writing and proofreading experience.

Editors need to be proficient in computer use, including electronic publishing, graphics, web design, social media, and multimedia production.

Additionally, important qualities for the role include:

  • Creativity. Editors must be imaginative, curious, and knowledgeable in a broad range of topics. Some editors must regularly come up with interesting content or story ideas and attention-grabbing headlines.
  • Detail oriented. Editors must be meticulous to ensure that material is error free and matches the style of a publication.
  • Good judgment. Editors decide whether certain stories are ethical and whether there is enough evidence to publish them.
  • Interpersonal skills. In working with writers, editors must have tact and the ability to guide and encourage them in their work.
  • Writing skills. Editors ensure that all written content has correct grammar, punctuation, and syntax. Editors must be able to write clearly and logically.

Full-time content editors can expect to earn between USD$60,000 to USD$65,000 a year.

Related Roles

Content editors interact with people in other digital roles, including:

Source: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/editors.htm

Useful Resources

We recommend the following resources:

Visit our tools and resources section for additional courses, guides, and helpful tools and resources.

Other Digital Content Related Roles

Click on the links below for more information about other digital content-related roles:

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Outsourcing

Outsourcing Resources

Here are useful resources to help you find people with the right talent and skills for outsourcing your content needs.

Return to our content management course outline

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Image: Pixabay

Author: Martin Aranovitch

Martin Aranovitch is a trainer, educator, blog writer, and online publisher. He runs various training websites on digital business, including ContentManagementCourse.com, WPTrainingManual.com, WPMasterclasses.com, and WPCompendium.org. View all posts by Martin Aranovitch