How to get started in a new career as a content creator

NOT content with your current job? Then try a new role as a content creator.

The exciting position sees you develop material from social media posts to blogs to videos and websites to help promote a brand or service.

A career in content creation could be for you

Being a relatively new role only developed over the last decade, creativity counts for more than experience and you won’t always need a degree to get started.

With a hefty average salary of over £37,000 and more than 40,000 open roles for content specialists, it’s a great time to write a new chapter in your own story.

Here’s how to begin with the latest tips from Sun Jobs.

What do I need to get started?

You’ll need a portfolio to show you can do the job.

It can be as simple as showcasing your own social media posts and their level of engagement – which is the comments, likes and shares.

The higher the positive engagement, the better the work resonates with your audience.

Many firms now hire content creators as apprentices and juniors, or consider offering your services for free to a local charity or small business, to prove what you can do.

What skills will I need?

Bucket loads of ideas, creativity, and the ability to understand an audience and create what they want to read or watch.

You’ll also have to be social media savvy and stay calm if there is a crisis or if you need to tackle negative publicity or bad news.

Writing skills, video editing and basic coding are also desirable for many jobs along with understanding the software to measure engagement.

Some senior roles demand people with journalism or PR experience or even a related degree.

How can I move up the ladder? 

The content creation sector offers boundless opportunities.

You can become a senior content manager or director, move to work in a marketing, social media or PR agency or go freelance.

You may even make it big as a content creator in your own right and become an influencer.

What are the pitfalls? 

It’s a fast-moving business and you’ll need to stay up to date with current affairs, your business sector and what rivals are doing. I

It’s not for the faint-hearted as social media can be cruel and you may have to deal with some abuse or trolling.

Looking for a nine-to-five? Then look elsewhere. Social media and content is ‘always on’ so you may have to work evening and weekend shifts.

Ready to create your next career move? Here are the top picks from Sun Jobs this week.

Junior Content Designer, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Nationwide Locations

Create content for the Government and you’ll have a springboard into almost any future role.

The Job: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is looking for a Junior Content Designer to help identify users’ needs.

What You’ll Do: You’ll be working on projects that enhance biosecurity, improve animal welfare and make agriculture, fishing and food more sustainable.

Using research and data, you’ll make content decisions to make sure users’ goals are met and that content or services meet policy intent.

You’ll Need: You will be an excellent collaborator, with the ability to work effectively with a range of teams and colleagues.

Strong writing and editing skills are a must, along with the ability to follow a style guide and ensure all content is accessible to all users. Experience in a similar role would be an advantage.

Apply Now: See further details of this Junior Content Designer role, along with other opportunities with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, here.

Assistant Content Editor, ITV Jobs, Cardiff

Love to be at the heart of the action? This fast-paced newsroom job could be the role for you.

The Job: ITV Jobs is recruiting an Assistant Content Editor to work within the newsdesk team at ITV Cymru Wales, in Cardiff.

What You’ll Do: You will support ITV Cymru Wales’ news team, producing and assistant producing Wales at Six; digital editing; news editing and/or planning.

You’ll Need: A qualified, experienced journalist would be ideal for this role, or someone with in-depth experience gained by working within a multimedia news operation.

Apply Now: For more on this Assistant Content Editor role, and more vacancies shared by ITV Jobs, click here.

Content Writer, INGIC Design, London

Write perfect prose? Then type out your application for this stylish design agency job.

The Job: Digital design and development company INGIC Design is looking for a Content Writer/Copywriter to join its dynamic team in London.

What You’ll Do: You’ll synthesise information from multiple sources and formats into written summaries and descriptions, create content and edit related policies and procedures; and streamline all written communications to ensure consistency of the brand image.

You’ll Need: A BA in marketing communications, literature or journalism and relevant professional certification, with a minimum of four years’ experience in a copywriting or content writing role.

Apply Now: Fill out your application for this Content Writer role here, and check out further vacancies at INGIC Design.

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