Content Specialist: Job Description, Income & Salary, & How To Become

In this busy day and age, every bit of content is vital.

Businesses, especially, present themselves through the written material they create and share with the masses.

Content has become such a power to be reckoned with that it has the power to boost customer trust and loyalty or lose it forever to their competitors.

What Is a Content Specialist?

The role of a Content Specialist is to collect and manage material for marketing and advertising purposes.

Content Specialists work with others to create a public image and set business goals for the company.

To do this, they research the market, any competitors, as well as their own organization.

Also known as:

A few job titles that describe this profession include:

• Content Strategist
• Content Marketer
• Content Creator

What Does a Content Specialist Do?

Content Specialists create and develop material that boosts consumer interest and brand awareness.

Their responsibilities include researching and analyzing marketing conditions.

They also include keeping track of the latest marketing trends.

Content Specialists should coordinate with other creative creators, managers, and supervisors to ensure everyone is working towards a similar goal for the company.

Content Specialist Job Description

Here are some responsibilities of a Content Specialist:

• Create logos and brand designs
• Build web pages using web management systems
• Develop ad campaigns
• Compile and oversee breaking news stories
• Proofread and edit marketing copies and articles sent in by freelance writers

Work Opportunities in the Content Specialist Industry

After acquiring the necessary skill sets, you can work in various industries, such as:

• Social media
• Digital
• Research
• Marketing
• Print

The role of a Content Specialist is becoming highly sought out as businesses turn towards a more content-based approach.

• Junior Web Content Strategist creates, edits, and directs web content, analytics, and web management systems.
• A Content Marketing Specialist creates and directs marketing initiatives across various social media platforms.
• A Product Content Analyst sources and manages item-specific marketing for product-based companies.

What It’s Like to Be a Content Specialist

Keeping your own hours can get hectic if you’re not good at setting up schedules and meeting deadlines.

Yet, if you have the necessary skills to succeed in this industry, you’ll make it big time!

It can be stressful in the sense that you need to be aware of everything going on around you, like current marketing trends and SEO techniques.

Plus, you also have to know what your competitors are up to, so you don’t get left behind.

Whether you’re a freelance or part of the full-time staff, this is one job where you can get a pretty decent work/life balance.

Common Content Specialist Work Day

Content Specialists spend their days mostly on their computers and smartphones, creating and managing their advertising and marketing strategies.

Their work environment is often office-based.

They can also work remotely, as long as there’s a reliable Wi-Fi signal and an electrical plug.

Content Specialist Tasks & Duties

The tasks and duties of a Content Specialist include, but aren’t limited to, the following:

• Research
• Translating
• Developing blog posts
• Collaborate with other content creators
• Compiling direct marketing campaigns on printed material or via emails

Content Specialist Work Hours & Schedule

One of the best things about this job is its flexible hours. You can set your own work schedule and work as much—or as little—as you want.

That’s why it’s crucial to master the art of planning and scheduling to avoid burnout.

Yet, if you’re more comfortable working with a regular daily work routine, you can apply to work full-time at a magazine, TV network, or ad agency.

Content Specialist Dress Code

The general dress code policy for Content Specialists is to dress in business casual.

However, if you’re meeting up with clients or attending work meetings, it’s recommended to dress in business professional.

How Much Do Content Specialists Make?

Based on a recent census, the average Content Specialist earns an average of $14–$29, depending on work experience and local labor rates.

The average annual salary can come to almost $50k, with base salaries ranging between $36k to $69k.

Depending on where you live and how stiff the competition is, bonuses and overtime can range from $500 to a whopping $6k annually.

Overview of the Content Specialist Industry

There’s a high demand for this profession because businesses are implementing a more content-based approach.

As a Content Specialist, you’ll start in an entry-level position.

Then, after 2–3 years, you can progress to the next seniority-level position.

This advancement usually requires additional education or certification in a related field.

If you enjoy telling stories and using words as your outlet, then working as a Content Specialist is definitely for you!

There may be some dull moments here and there, like when you have to edit the written material and grasp SEO techniques.

Still, for the most part, it’s a pretty exciting career.

• Content Specialist Job Outlook: According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the prospective job outlook is 10% over the next decade, which is faster than the average rate.
• Demand for Content Specialists: Nowadays, businesses have become dependent on content-based marketing. Hence, with a high demand for social media and online browsing comes a high demand for competent, efficient contenders.

Content Specialist Facts

According to a recent job search analysis, nearly 45% of companies employ between 1–3 specialists, whereas 20% have 4–10 in-house specialists.

Moreover, 48% of organizations say they intend to increase the size of their content team.

Jobs Related to Content Specialist

Here are three alternative career paths.

• Copywriter: A copywriter relies on their extensive vocabulary to create effective and persuasive material. This includes writing press releases, commercial scripts, tag lines, and more!
• Editor: The general job description of an editor is to select and commission new topics of interest. They must be up-to-date with current market trends, much like a Content Specialist.
• Marketing Manager: A marketing manager is mainly responsible for planning strategies to promote a product or service. They’re also required to take on tasks identifying target market trends that can benefit the company.

Requirements, Skills, and Education Required for Content Specialists

The job of a Content Specialist encompasses a wide range of skills.

In general, Content Specialists need to have a good command of the English language and its nuances.

They also need to work with others and have a keen eye for detail.

Content Specialists must be able to persuade and entertain by writing creative and compelling material.

Having these skills is also a plus:

• Business
• Marketing
• Technical
• Communication

To work in this profession, you need a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Journalism, or other related fields.

Then, you could go on to pursue continued education.

Also, becoming certified in HTML, WordPress, and SEO via a software manufacturer or the Association for Information and Image Management (AIIM) can also come in handy.

• Can You Become a Content Specialist Without a Degree? Having a college degree is optional if you decide to work as a freelancer. However, it’s an essential requirement when applying for full-time jobs.
• What Experience Does a Content Specialist Need? Having previous work experience is a must when applying as a Content Specialist. This is mostly interning to receive on-the-job training in various technical, marketing, and writing fields.

Is it Hard to Become a Content Specialist?

No, it’s not hard, but it can be challenging to keep up with the constant demands.

Also, depending on where you live, the market may be overly saturated with this type of job, making competition fierce.

People who can use words to persuade readers make excellent Content Specialists.

Also, anyone with good research and organization skills and is a team player will make a good candidate.

If you’re not good at staying creative under pressure or keeping your own hours, then this career isn’t for you.

Content Specialist Education & Schooling

While it’s mostly on-the-job training, you initially need some basic education.

A Content Specialist Course teaches everything from collecting and analyzing data to generating a stream of engaging ideas and written material.

You can also learn how to manage various SEO techniques to boost traffic and drive marketing.

Online courses can take from 8–17 hours of training.

On-site courses, however, tend to run a bit longer, at an average of 4–8 weeks to complete.

It pays to have a bit more expertise under your belt, especially in a competitive field as this one.

• Bachelor’s Degree: Although there are no specific field requirements, the most common ones include Computer Science, Communication, and English.
• Master’s Degree: Those who wish to move up the ladder in their careers often go back to school to complete their master-level education. After that, they can choose almost any field of study related to their profession.

Schools for Content Specialists

You can receive your Content Specialist degree from practically anywhere in the world. So, why not get your degree from the best schools in the nation?

1. University of Georgia; Athens, GA
2. Northwestern University; Evanston, IL
3. University of Wisconsin; Madison, WI
4. University of Maryland; College Park, MD
5. University of Minnesota: Minneapolis, MN

Steps to Become a Content Specialist

The market is flooded with job opportunities for Content Specialists.

Below are the steps needed to start and advance in your career.

1. Earn your degree.
2. Pick a Speciality.
3. Find an entry-level position.
4. Move up the ladder.
5. Continue your education to advance to higher-paying positions faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrapping Up

A Content Specialist is one of those professions that require no specific fields of expertise.

Yet, that’s probably because Content Specialists pretty much do everything.

From developing long and short-term strategies to creating compelling material that gets readers excited.

So, if you love captivating audiences with your storytelling, then this job is for you!

Click here to learn how you can embark on an incredibly exciting career as a Content Specialist.