Content Specialist Career Outlook
Even if you aren’t familiar with the job title “content specialist,” it’s highly likely that you interact every day with the specialized form of marketing they create. Content specialist jobs offer a unique opportunity to combine a variety of interests, including marketing, writing, social media, and more.
Job Duties
A content specialist role can take many different forms, which makes it appealing to a wide variety of candidates. For many content specialists, writing is a major part of their everyday duties. Creating high-quality content-based pieces, like native ads, newsletters, blog posts, and website material is expected at many levels of the job, whether you’re planning to work for a specific company or are interested in freelancing. Some content specialists focus on material such as webinars and brochures, while others work largely on website copy and blog posts.
As you advance in your career as a content specialist, you may transition into a more executive role. Executive roles can involve managing freelance writers in the content creation process, developing useful content ideas, or even branching off into specialized content areas like video, visual media, interactive, and more. Ultimately, a content specialist is the force behind creating focused, high-quality content for companies to use as a method for connecting with existing and potential customers, using a new perspective on traditional marketing methods.
Earnings
As demand for content specialists grows with the increasing understanding of content-based marketing, the possibilities for a content specialist salary has also amplified. Like many jobs, the average salary can vary depending on your location, as many employers consider factors like cost of living. Here are a few examples of the salary you may be able to expect in states across the country, according to Salary.com:
- Florida: $63,000
- Colorado: $66,000
- Illinois: $68,000
- Ohio: $63,000
Keep in mind that as a content specialist, your salary possibilities will increase dramatically with the right training, education, and experience. Taking a proactive role in your career by seeking out specialized training and education will make you a stronger candidate, and also help increase your potential salary with many employers.
Work Environment
The work environment for a content specialist is most often office-based, requiring access to a computer to complete everyday duties. Some content specialists may be self-employed, working from a home office or a local professional co-op. However, for most content specialists, their work is completed as part of a larger team. Since many content specialists work alongside other roles such as search engine optimization specialists, graphic designers, marketing specialists, and sales representatives, the work environment is commonly very collaborative.
Companies of all sizes offer content specialist roles, as do marketing firms and tech-based companies. Since quality content is a widespread need that crosses into many different industries, you’ll find employers of all types.
Career Requirements
Specific career requirements may vary between employers, but you can generally expect to need training and education in media-based sales and marketing. You’ll need to understand how to create quality content that not only offers useful information to the consumer but also forges a connection between a potential client and the company. Employers are likely to be significantly more interested in a candidate that has completed an educational track focused on content creation, marketing, and advertising.
Ideal Skills & Characteristics
On a personal level, a good content specialist is generally flexible, creative, detail-oriented and open to learning. Content creation is an ever-growing and changing field, making it enjoyable for people who relish learning and tackling new challenges.
It’s important to note that because the job typically involves a considerable amount of writing and/or editing, strong written communication skills are a must. In addition, content specialists often interact directly with clients to determine content marketing plans, so being able to speak comfortably and clearly with a variety of people is important.
Job Outlook
The content specialist field has been showing exciting growth, especially as more and more companies turn towards a content-based approach to marketing. Job prospects are excellent, especially for well-qualified candidates. It’s highly likely that demand will continue to grow as social media and online browsing becomes more and more popular, and as technology opens new doors for high-quality content.
How to Get Started
Here are a few tips for getting started as a content specialist:
- If you’re hoping to learn more about how to become a content specialist, take the time to browse content examples on company blogs, websites, social media, and more. These examples can give you an idea of the work you would potentially be doing, and even inspire you to take the next step in your career goals.
- Talk to content specialists to get an idea of what their everyday duties look like and ask for pointers for someone new to the field.
- Attend a high-quality educational program, like Be On Air schools, to give yourself a major advantage over other candidates. At Be On Air, you can get the hands-on experience you need to excel as a content specialist.