Get ready for the essential content marketing skills you’ll need to thrive in 2024. Whether you’re a seasoned content marketer or eyeing your first role in the field, these skills are crucial. In the dynamic world of content marketing, success goes beyond just writing.
Discover the key abilities that will set you apart and propel your career forward. Let’s break down the six essential content marketing skills that will be your guide in navigating the challenges of the ever-evolving landscape.
Prepare to equip yourself with the tools necessary to excel in the world of content marketing in the coming year and beyond.
Content Marketing Skills
1. Copywriting
In your role as a content marketer, creating content that turns leads into sales is likely a big part of what you do. To be successful at this, being a good copywriter is key.
It’s important to understand that writing for marketing is different from writing for non-business purposes. When you’re writing for a business, you need to consistently use the brand’s unique voice.
This can be challenging if you’re a freelance content marketer working with various businesses and industries. However, it’s crucial to be able to adapt your writing style to meet the specific needs of each business.
For example, if you’re writing for a sales blog, you might need to keep it short and straightforward since salespeople are usually short on time. On the other hand, when writing for marketers, you can take the time to be more creative and use longer sentences.
Moreover, the way you write a video script for an insurance company will be quite different from how you craft social copy for an e-commerce business.
Being able to develop a brand voice and adjust your writing style based on business requirements and audience persona is a crucial skill in content marketing.
2. Editing Skills
Being a good editor is just as important as being skilled at writing when it comes to content marketing.
Well-crafted writing has the power to convince unsure customers to make a purchase. On the other hand, sloppy and error-filled writing might drive away potential visitors.
Simply put, the ability to edit makes the difference between average writing and content that is compelling, engaging, and converts well.
So, no pressure, but mastering editing is key.
For content marketers responsible for creating across various channels, learning to produce content quickly is crucial. Editing is a necessary step to tidy up your writing and give it a professional and polished touch.
3. SEO Skills
This skill was a tricky one for me to master, but it is vital for ensuring my content ranks online and reaches the right audience when they need it most.
As a content marketer, your role isn’t just to create high-quality content. It’s also to create content that converts readers, listeners, or watchers into customers.
And to do this, you need a basic understanding of SEO.
For instance, if you’re a content marketer who’s in charge of your company’s YouTube page, you’ll want to know how to conduct keyword research to discern what people are looking for on YouTube, and then write compelling, SEO-optimized titles and video descriptions to attract viewers to those videos.
Alternatively, as a blogger, you’ll need to know how to create SEO-optimized content — including using appropriate alt-text in your images, using relevant keywords in your section titles, and thoughtfully incorporating keywords throughout your content (rather than keyword-stuffing).
Ultimately, SEO ensures the content you work hard to create is served to the right audiences, at the right time. Without an SEO foundation, then, it will be difficult to succeed as a content marketer.
4. A Talent for Interviewing
As a content marketer, you might need to make content about things you don’t know much about.
It can seem hard to research and create good content on a topic you’re not familiar with. That’s where interviewing can help you improve as a content marketer.
5. Time Management & Organization Skills
Staying organized, especially when facing tight deadlines, is a crucial skill for content marketers.
As a content marketer, your job involves consistently creating and publishing effective content to attract and convert audiences into leads for your sales team each month. To fulfill this role successfully, it’s essential to stay organized and follow a content calendar aligned with your company’s goals.
Since writing can be exhausting, managing your time becomes crucial to prevent burnout. For example, if you need to write four blog posts per week, scheduling dedicated “Writing Time” during your most productive hours is beneficial. Waiting until the night before the posts are due isn’t a strategy for success in content marketing.
To keep your content organized, especially as your team grows, consider using project management software.
6. Data & Analytics Skills
If you can’t check how well your content is doing, it’s tough to improve your plan and make progress.
As a content marketer, you need to understand industry trends, stay updated on what your audience likes, and use that info to make smart choices and grow your brand.
In the end, data is crucial to having a solid content strategy.
These are some skills you’ll need to learn as you become a better content marketer. Being flexible and understanding your company’s goals are key to long-term success.