OVERVIEW
What Is a Content Manager?
Content managers are marketing experts who have specialized skills in creating and managing targeted content that reflects their company’s brand and audience. They also handle the day-to-day operations of a content marketing team.
Content managers are both creative and tactical. They’re able to come up with a content strategy, execute it, and then analyze its impact.
Although the roles of a content manager and social media manager might sound similar, their responsibilities are quite different. A content manager is involved with both online and offline content (including social media), while a social media manager deals with online content exclusively.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Content Manager Do?
Content managers work in fast-paced digital environments and handle a wide range of responsibilities. A typical day in the life of a content manager could include:
- Developing content strategies that align with short-term and long-term marketing goals.
- Collaborating with marketing and design teams to plan and develop website content, style, and layout.
- Creating and publishing engaging content.
- Editing and proofreading writers’ posts.
- Meeting with content writers to ensure brand consistency.
- Optimizing content according to SEO best practices.
- Using content management systems to analyze website traffic and users' engagement metrics.
- Managing content distribution to online channels and social media platforms to increase web traffic.
- Developing a content calendar and style guide.
- Staying up-to-date with developments and generating new ideas to draw the audience’s attention.
Depending on the size of the company you work for, you might execute all of these tasks on your own or lead a team to execute them.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a Content Manager?
Here are some of the most common steps to becoming a content manager:
Step One: Earn your bachelor’s degree.
As an aspiring content manager, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. Most content managers have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or English.
Step Two: Become a content coordinator.
To become an effective content manager, you need firsthand experience. Employers want to know you have a proven track record of strategizing, creating, and executing engaging content. As a content coordinator, you can start building your portfolio to demonstrate your content marketing abilities.
Step Three: Get your master’s degree.
While a content coordinator position can lead to a content manager job, a master’s degree in management and leadership or a master's in marketing can give you the additional leadership skills and business savvy that’s needed for the more advanced role of a content manager.
Step Four: Become a content manager.
You’ll need at least three to four years of experience creating content before advancing to a content manager role. Many employers will look for a proven record of creating effective content for specific audiences, experience managing teams or people, and the ability to meet deadlines.
Best Degrees for a Content Manager
Business
Marketing – B.S.
For those who want to lead brands and steer consumer markets:...
For those who want to lead brands and steer consumer markets:
- Time: 60% of graduates finish within 19 months.
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 37 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:
- Communication
- Marketing
- Sales
- Management
- Project Management
- Product Management
Marketing is a creative and exciting field—and one where an undergraduate degree will open better opportunities.
Business
Management and Leadership – M.S.
An online master's degree focused on change management, innovation, and...
An online master's degree focused on change management, innovation, and leading teams:
- Time: 60% of graduates can finish in 17 months.
- Tuition: $4,755 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 10 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé that this program will teach you:
- Leadership
- Management
- Coordinating
- Communications
- Performance Management
- Planning
Develop a comprehensive suite of leadership skills and your confidence to navigate changing business structures.
Business
Marketing – M.S.
Two online marketing master's degree options with a focus on either...
Two online marketing master's degree options with a focus on either digital marketing or marketing analytics.
- Time: 61% of graduates finish WGU master's programs in 18 months
- Tuition: $4,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 10 total courses in this program
- Specialization: Students choose from two specializations to focus their marketing studies on digital marketing or marketing analytics
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Management
- Strategic Planning
- Digital Marketing Analytics
- Presentations
- Market Research
- Communications
A marketing master's degree will help you prepare for a wide range of exciting marketing careers.
Business
Communications – B.S.
An online communications program designed for students who want real-world...
An online communications program designed for students who want real-world skills for a variety of industries.
- Time: 60% of students finish similar programs in 19 months.
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 38 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:
- Strategic Communications
- Crisis Communication
- Content Creation
- Value-Based Leadership
- Project Management
This degree prepares you with relevant industry skills and experience that will help you move forward in your career.
How Much Does a Content Manager Make?
$73,000
As with any career, a content manager’s income can vary greatly based on their background, experience, and the size of the company where they’re employed.
According to Comparably, content manager salaries in the U.S. range from $31,000 to $158,000 annually, with a median salary of $73,000. The middle 57% of content managers earn between $73,000 and $100,000, with the top 86% making $158,000.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
10%
Job prospects for content managers are strong as more companies embrace the power of digital content such as websites, blogging, and social media. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), advertising, promotions, and marketing managers can expect an employment growth of 10% from 2020 to 2030, with about 31,000 jobs being added during that time.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Content Manager Need?
Being a content manager requires excellent digital and in-person communication, marketing, and leadership skills, as well as knowledge of digital marketing software, tools, and methods with a focus on web content and SEO.
Other qualifications for content managers can include:
- Experience with SEO writing and blogging
- Proven work experience in the field of content creation
- Basic coding skills
- Collaborative leadership skills
- Data interpretation skills
- Hands-on experience with MS Office and WordPress
- Basic technical knowledge of HTML and web publishing
- Knowledge of SEO and web traffic metrics
- Deep understanding of various social media platforms
- Excellent writing, proofreading, and editing skills
- Attention to detail and strong organizational skills
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No need to wait for spring or fall semester. It's back-to-school time at WGU year-round. Get started by talking to an Enrollment Counselor today, and you'll be on your way to realizing your dream of a bachelor's or master's degree—sooner than you might think!
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