Writing a Winning Content Writer’s Job Description (W/ Template)

Quick Summary

Hiring the right talent starts with the right post. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about crafting an effective job description for content writer roles. We cover the core responsibilities, necessary skills, and provide a ready-to-use template to help you attract top-tier content creators who can elevate your brand's voice and drive results.

Struggling to find a content writer who truly understands your brand?

You've probably posted a job ad before, only to be flooded with unqualified applicants or, worse, hired someone who couldn't meet deadlines or capture your company's tone of voice.

It's a frustrating and time-consuming cycle that delays your content marketing goals and puts pressure on your existing team. We know that a weak hiring process can slow your agency's growth.

That's why we want to help you get it right from the start with a clear, compelling job description. In this guide, we'll walk you through exactly what to include, what to avoid, and how to attract writers who deliver.

Why listen to us?

At Embarque, we're not just another content marketing agency; we're a team that lives and breathes content every day. We've helped high-growth tech start-ups like Levels FYI and VEED scale rapidly, and we've worked with countless writers to find the perfect fit for our projects. This hands-on experience gives us unique insight into what separates an average content writer from an exceptional one.

What is a Content Writer?

A content writer’s job is to craft engaging, informative articles for organizations to showcase their services, products or communicate their information. Content writers need to create content in a variety of formats, whether this for company product descriptions, or various corporate topics. That means you’ll need to be adept at researching material thoroughly.

Content writers create copy for a whole host of subjects and are solely responsible for crafting accurately-written content, from press releases to blog posts. Their main duties include:

Researching
Writing
Proofreading

You’ll work alongside clients and a content managers to ensure you produce content that fits the firm’s tone of voice. You’ll need to work independently and meet deadlines consistently. Usually, you’ll need an undergraduate degree in marketing or English.

But, if you show writing expertise in your portfolio or start as an intern, you might be able to enter the industry without a degree. Want to flourish in this role? You need to be skilled at using content and publishing applications like G Suite, WordPress, and Microsoft Office. You also need to work well under pressure and have an eagle eye for detail.

Why Is a Content Writer Important?

Content writing is more like a currency than anything else, as it has true worth. Creating captivating content that entices your readers and attracts them nearer to conversion is key to a winning content marketing strategy.

Not only is content marketing vital for engaging and attracting audiences, but it’s crucial for other reasons as well:

1. Greater Chance of Spreading the Word

Sharing content is a phenomenal way to gain recognition for your brand. Sustaining social media traction by posting appropriate content, such as blog posts, will mean more chances for people to share it. The result? More traffic. And more traffic means more leads and conversions.

2. Demonstrates You Can Write About Topics Relevant to Your Niche

Writing compelling content about your products and industry shows you know a thing or two about what you offer. Google algorithms deems your content as authoritative. Thus, it’ll rank higher. The more authority your content has, the more chance your audience will believe in your brand. You should be writing about topics relevant to your niche. Google will only rank you as an authority if you're connected to the topics you're talking about.

3. Improved Audience Retention

Be sure to create content not only for new customers but also for your existing customer base. Boosting client retention via efficient content writing generates a positive experience, encouraging your clients to continue using your company.

We here at Embarque are a quality content marketing agency. We’ve enabled high-growth tech start-ups like Levels FYI and VEED to scale rapidly. From crafting effective email marketing funnels to creating an SEO content strategy to grow your search traffic fast, we’re your one-stop shop for premium content that converts.

Content Writer Tasks and Responsibilities

Your main duty is to create concise, accurate, and well-written content. Often, this involves connecting with clients and various other marketing experts. Here are just some of a content writer’s responsibilities:

Finishing writing assignments in line with a specific tone of voice and project specifications ahead of a deadline.
Coming up with fresh content ideas for customers.
Doing thorough topic research to ensure the content only encompasses precise and relevant info.
Amending current content to echo new preferences or company revisions.
Updating or producing style guides (in a team or alone) to make sure all written content is consistent and accurate.
Ascertaining content requirements by talking to customers and their agents.

Content Writer Job Description Example Template

Below is a sample of a content writer job description:

Content Writer Job Description Template

We’re seeking an enthusiastic content writer to craft compelling articles, product descriptions, blog posts, social media, and web content. Your core duties will involve:

Revising the organization’s website frequently
Assessing analytics to tweak content as required
Pitching articles to a range of third-party platforms to market our firm
Adhering to editorial guidelines

To be a top-performing content writer, we need you to stay well-versed in the latest SEO techniques. But ultimately, you must master the development strategies required to boost reader engagement.

Main Content Writer Duties

Develop plagiarism-free, unique content by doing meticulous research on industry-specific topics.
Create articles, blog posts, social media content, product descriptions, and web content.
Proofread articles, blog posts, and other pieces of content for grammatical mistakes and irregularities.
Help the marketing team build content for advertising campaigns.
Research keywords in line with the best SEO practices to boost company website traffic.
Fine-tune and edit current content to enhance readability.
Determine clients’ requirements and suggest fresh content ideas to address gaps in the organization’s existing content.
Craft captivating body copy and headers to capture the target audience’s attention.

A Content Writer’s Requirements

Proven copywriting or content writing expertise.
Holds a Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications, or other relevant fields.
An expert in all Microsoft Office software.
Can provide a portfolio containing links to relevant published works.
An in-depth understanding of content management systems (CMS systems).
Adept at working in a fast-paced setting.
Can tackle numerous tasks simultaneously.
A stellar communicator.
Impeccable editing and content writing skills.

Content Writer Abilities and Credentials

A top-performing content writer will need a range of skills to be successful in their writing career and hold various essential qualifications and skills, including:

Create content, select consumer-specific headlines, implement necessary keywords, able to structure content, and the ability to edit efficiently.
Specialize in a specific industry, niche, or market.
Flawless grammar and editing skills.
Superior computer literacy skills, such as HTML coding, internet publishing, and short keys.
Qualitative and quantitative research, pinpointing web-friendly links, and trustworthy sources.
Proficient analysis and market research skills to ascertain in-market, trending subjects.

What Experience Does a Content Writer Need?

Having a university education isn’t as critical as experience in the world of content writing. While there are several junior content writing positions, countless content writers step into entry-level marketing agencies or roles in marketing departments once they’ve graduated.

For the ideal writing experience, you could get work experience in an applicable junior role, for example, as a social media assistant or marketing associate. Doing so means you understand how integral content is to a marketing strategy.

What Education and Training Does a Content Writer Need?

As mentioned above, numerous content writers hold a degree in journalism, communications, or English literature. But other content writers require industry-specific degrees for the topic matter they’ll be creating.

For instance, if a content writer is crafting a finance article, they’ll most likely need mathematics and science degrees. Also, certain online learning institutions such as the University of California, Davis, and Udemy offer content writing training.

What Can a Content Writer Expect to Earn?

On average, a content writer’s salary is around £48,604 per year, but this depends on a variety of factors such as location, number of years in the industry, experience, credentials, and the organization.

If your content isn’t ranking, we here at Embarque can help you rank on the first page of Google by growing your clients through SEO. From backlinks to long-tail SEO articles, we’ll take your growth to the next level. Recently, we helped an online platform offering mentorships to increase its revenue by 800% and reach two million search visits!

What Does a Content Writer’s Career Path Look Like?

Since 2016, the content industry has been escalating rapidly, so now’s a good time to become one. Being a content writer is a stepping stone to a whole host of other occupations in the marketing industry. For example, if you start as a staff content writer, you could progress to become:

A Technical Writer
Assistant Manager
Project Manager
Marketing Director
Director of Marketing
Content Marketing Manager

The Takeaway

Content is probably going to be the future of marketing. As the industry carries on progressing, as an increasing number of companies see results from content and grow, classic marketing will pale in comparison. The question won’t be ‘Will content work?”. It’ll be “How far can we scale with content?”

Now’s a great time to become a content writer and we hope our guide to content writing has given you some inspiration and ideas on what the job involves. Content writing is a varied role that allows you to get involved in numerous niches and areas and it’s incredibly rewarding, too.

The secret to kicking off a successful career in content is to concentrate on sharpening your writing dexterities and gaining as much knowledge and exposure as you can. At Embarque, we aspire to scale growth with premium SEO that converts. Why not get started today?

‍Frequently Asked Questions About Content Writer Job Descriptions

What should I include in a job description for a content writer?

Your job description for content writer roles should include a clear job title, a summary of the role, key responsibilities, required skills and qualifications, and information about your company culture. Be specific about the types of content they'll create (blog posts, social media, whitepapers) and any industry niches you specialize in. Including a salary range also helps attract serious candidates.

How is a content writer different from a copywriter?

While the terms are often used interchangeably, content writers typically focus on informative, educational, and engaging long-form material like blog posts and articles. Copywriters, on the other hand, specialize in persuasive, action-oriented writing for ads, landing pages, and sales emails designed to drive conversions. Both are valuable, but they serve different purposes in your marketing funnel.

Do content writers need SEO knowledge?

Yes, absolutely. Modern content writers must understand SEO basics, including keyword research, on-page optimization, and crafting content that satisfies search intent. Your job description for content writer roles should explicitly mention SEO expertise as a requirement to ensure candidates can write content that ranks.

Should I require a degree for a content writing position?

While a degree in English, journalism, or communications is beneficial, it shouldn't be a strict requirement. Many exceptional writers come from diverse backgrounds. A strong portfolio demonstrating writing ability, research skills, and subject matter expertise often outweighs formal education. Focus on proven skills rather than just credentials.

How do I test a content writer's skills during hiring?

Consider including a paid writing test as part of your process. Ask candidates to write a short sample piece on a topic relevant to your niche. This allows you to assess their writing style, adherence to guidelines, research capabilities, and ability to meet deadlines before committing.

What's the difference between a staff content writer and a freelance content writer?

A staff writer is a full-time or part-time employee who works exclusively for your company, offering consistency and deep brand integration. Freelance writers work on a project basis for multiple clients, offering flexibility and specialized expertise. Your choice depends on your workload consistency and budget. Your job description for content writer roles should clearly indicate which arrangement you're offering.

How important is niche experience for a content writer?

Niche experience can be highly valuable. A writer who already understands your industry terminology, audience pain points, and competitive landscape will require less ramp-up time and produce more authoritative content. However, a skilled researcher can quickly learn new topics, so balance niche expertise with demonstrated research ability.

What red flags should I look for when reviewing content writer applications?

Watch for candidates who can't provide a portfolio, have grammatical errors in their application, or demonstrate a poor understanding of SEO basics. Also, be cautious of writers who seem unwilling to accept editorial feedback or lack familiarity with content management systems like WordPress. These are essential for smooth collaboration.