Have you ever wondered who’s in charge of the spunky ads or who decides what gets put on all those websites you visit?
That would be the content strategist.
Content strategy is more than just figuring out what to write.
It’s also about what kind of impact each word will have on customers and how companies need to present themselves to achieve their goals.
Without a content strategist, a company is invisible to the world.
That makes them an essential and well-paid part of the team.
Content Strategist Information
| Official Job Title | Content Strategist |
| Average Salary | $90,463 |
| Stress Level | Average |
| Work/ Life | Average |
| Job Satisfaction | Average |
| Career Advancement | Below Average |
Content Strategist Job Description
What Is A Content Strategist?
A content strategist is a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to a company’s management of advertising, web editing, content creation, and public presence.
They make sure that the company is promoting itself in the best way possible.
A content strategist creates marketing goals and figures out the best ways to reach those goals.
They need to know everything from printed products to sales platforms to digital advertising.
What Does A Content Strategist Do on A Daily Basis?
Content strategist has varying roles depending on the company they work for.
Content strategists spend their time coordinating efforts between multiple departments.
As a content strategist, you’ll meet with various departments to figure out advertising campaigns.
You’ll also oversee strategies for social media presence, website management, channel choice, content distribution, and content creation.
You won’t produce anything yourself but instead will focus on goals that each team will work towards.
You’ll need to know how various platforms work and how each of them is valuable to the company.
Responsibilities, Duties & Roles of A Content Strategist
Content strategists need to know the voice of the company they stand for and how to spread that voice to others.
As a content strategist, you’ll need to know which marketing efforts will generate the greatest output.
Content strategists need to know the goals and abilities of the company they work for.
Companies spend about 13% of their annual revenue on advertising, and your job is to make sure every dollar of the budget is worth spending.
Content Strategist Salary
Average Salary
On average, Content Strategists make a yearly salary of $90,463.
High-end earners make around $160,500, with low-end earners making less than $32,000.
The size of the company hiring decides the difference in salary, larger companies spend more money on their marketing efforts, which increases the value of each member of their marketing team.
Starting Salary
The average entry-level salary for a Content Strategist is $57,019.
Content Strategists make an average of 25% higher salary in the states of California and Texas.
There are larger businesses in those states which can afford to pay their strategists more.
Senior Salary
The national average for a Senior Content Strategist is $136,540. Those hired in this position generally have at least five years of experience.
How to Become A Content Strategist
The Entry Level: Certification, Training & Degree
Most employers need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree to consider for hiring.
Preferred degrees include English, Communications, Writing, Creative Writing, Advertising, Media Communications, Public Relations, Linguistics, Editing, Journalism, and Composition.
No other certifications are needed. Because content strategy varies so much from job to job, on-the-job training is usually provided by the employer.
Other Skill Sets, Requirements & Qualifications
For Content Strategy, you need to be able to write, communicate, think critically, research, and work with diverse people and ideas.
Most of the job’s focus is both internal and external communication, understanding, and presentation.
You will also need knowledge and skills in the following:
- Marketing
- Content creation
- Web management
- Social media presence and advertising
- Search Engine Optimization/Keyword Research
- Consumer trends and analytics
- Strengths, weaknesses, and costs of various platforms
How Long Does It Take to Become A Content Strategist?
When looking for content strategists, most employers want at least five years of applicable work experience.
Content strategy is not an entry-level job and requires a transition from a similar position.
After obtaining a bachelor’s degree, you can expect to spend at least five years working in another position before receiving consideration for content strategy positions.
Is It Hard to Become A Content Strategist?
If you’ve learned about content creation and marketing in another position, you have an advantage.
The difficulty of becoming a content strategist is average compared to other entry-level to management-level transitions.
You may have to wait before positions become available.
You will also need strong interviewing skills and established business networking if you want to get into a content strategist position.
Content Strategist Career Paths
The Content Strategist Roadmap
- Obtain a high school diploma or qualifying GED.
- Earn a college degree (Bachelor of Arts preferred).
- Earn work experience in web management, web writing, content editing, or similar job.
- Develop a business network and apply for content strategy positions.
- Transition into Content Strategy.
Projections for Growth in Content Strategist Jobs
Content Strategist jobs are expected to grow by 10% through 2031.
This is faster than the national average for advertising and marketing careers.
You can expect this field to remain as relevant as most other career choices.
In Summary: Is Content Strategist A Good Career?
If you enjoy marketing and managing content creation goals, you may enjoy content strategy.
Many content creators, advertising managers, and media managers look at content strategy as a practical promotion from their current position.
Instead of creating content for someone else, you’ll be deciding which content needs creating.
Understand that once you take a position in content strategy, there isn’t another position “above” it that you can grow or promote into.
However, many content strategists enjoy the work and will finish their careers working in content strategy.
Working Conditions
Can A Content Strategist Work Remotely from Home?
Yes.
A content strategist can check social media platforms and stay up to date on business analytics from home.
There is no physical work that requires in-person work.
A stable internet connection and computer are needed.
Expect more virtual meetings, email correspondence, and phone calls.
How Many Hours Does A Content Strategist Work?
Most content strategists work a typical nine-to-five office job.
Expect 40-hour workweeks.
This allows you to coordinate meetings and meet with individuals working on projects.
Most work is done with other people, so you’ll need to be around when they are also working.
Can A Content Strategist Work Part-Time?
Yes.
Depending on the company, part-time employment exists.
If you want to work part-time as a content strategist, try looking at smaller or more local companies.
Larger corporations are less likely to offer part-time positions, but they still exist.
Part-time content strategists can expect to make less hourly than full-time employees, despite similar work style expectations.
What Are the Average Vacation Days of a Content Strategist?
Content strategists can expect the same amount of vacation time as other office staff.
The national average is 15 days paid time off.
Time off may vary between companies.
Alternative Careers & Similar Jobs to a Content Strategist
- Digital Marketing Manager
- Marketing Consultant
- SEO Manager
- Content Marketing Manager
- Marketing Coordinator
- Marketing Specialist
- Market Research Analyst
- Public Relationship Manager
- Public Relations Specialist
- Communications Director
- Copy Editor
Content Strategist Resume Tips
As a content strategist, it is important to know how to market yourself to employers.
Tips to stand out in your resume include:
- Management experience
- Relevant marketing experience
- Leadership skills
- Communication skills
- Critical decision making
- Ability to analyze hard and soft data.
- A strong list of references
- A well-written cover letter
- Any special training or skills
If you choose to include a cover letter with your resume, the content of your letter is the perfect opportunity to explain how and why you are a suitable fit for the company.
A cover letter allows you to include a specific example or experience that your resume does not include.
The key with both a resume and cover letter are concise language.
A resume highlights the most important characteristics and experience you have and shouldn’t be more than a page unless said specifically by the company.
A cover letter should not be more than a few paragraphs.
Content Strategist Interview Questions
Key questions usually asked in a job interview for content strategists.
Q1: What do you think is the most important part of a content strategy?
Why it works: This allows you to gauge work ethic and know what the potential employee expects to contribute to the job.
Q2: What is the difference between an average content strategist and a great one?
Why it works: This allows the interviewee to show what they feel is important to their work and how ambitious they are for working.
Q3: What do you think is the most important aspect of a content strategy?
Why it works: This allows you to see just how much they really know about the job and what areas they are likely to focus on.
Q4: What makes you different from those more qualified than you for this job?
Why it works: The resume shows their work experience, but it doesn’t show who they are.
This allows you to gauge qualities that aren’t on the resume but are just as important when considering someone for hire.
Jobs Related to A Content Strategist
- Content Manager
- Digital Marketer
- Social Media Specialist
- Blogger
- Technical Writer
- Marketing Coordinator
- VP Content
- Creative Strategist
- User Experience Strategist
For HR Managers: Tips for Hiring A Content Strategist
Content strategists should be at the top of content creation.
They should be versed in both the content creation process as well as the marketing side of publication.
Look for effective communication and a diverse understanding of marketing platforms.
Content strategists should have great flexibility and be willing to adapt to the circumstances of your company.
A bachelor’s degree in a liberal arts or communications major ensures that the potential employee knows what it means to communicate well.
Higher-level degrees mean a surer understanding of technical aspects, but your experience goes a long way as well.
Look for employees with diverse experience who can bring new skills to your team and help the company grow.