Top 12 Content Writer Skills to Put on Your Resume

In today's digital age, content writers play a pivotal role in engaging audiences and driving traffic to websites. A well-crafted resume highlighting your top skills as a content writer can set you apart from the competition and catch the eye of potential employers.

Content Writer Skills

1. SEO Optimization
2. WordPress
3. Google Analytics
4. HTML Basics
5. CMS Experience
6. Copywriting
7. Proofreading
8. HubSpot
9. Social Media
10. Content Management
11. Research
12. Adobe Photoshop

1. SEO Optimization

SEO Optimization for a Content Writer involves strategically crafting website content to improve its visibility and ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs) through the use of relevant keywords, high-quality content, and adherence to search engine guidelines.

Why It's Important

SEO optimization is crucial for a Content Writer because it enhances the visibility of their content in search engine results, attracting more readers and potential customers, thereby increasing website traffic and engagement.

How to Improve SEO Optimization Skills

To improve SEO optimization as a content writer, focus on the following key strategies:

1. Keyword Research: Identify relevant, high-search-volume keywords using tools like Google Keyword Planner or SEMrush. Integrate these keywords naturally into your content, including titles, headers, and body text.

2. High-Quality Content: Create valuable, informative, and engaging content that addresses the needs and questions of your target audience. Use Yoast SEO to ensure your content is SEO-friendly.

3. On-Page SEO: Optimize your content for on-page SEO elements. This includes using short, descriptive URLs with keywords, meta descriptions, and optimizing image alt attributes. Tools such as Moz Pro can guide on-page optimizations.

4. Internal Linking: Use internal links to connect your current content with other relevant pieces on your site, enhancing site navigation and spreading link equity.

5. Mobile Optimization: Ensure your content is mobile-friendly, as Google prioritizes mobile-first indexing. Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test can evaluate your website's mobile responsiveness.

6. Loading Speed: Improve your site’s loading speed to reduce bounce rates and enhance user experience. Google PageSpeed Insights provides recommendations for speeding up your site.

7. Backlinks: Gain high-quality backlinks from reputable sites within your niche. Tools like Ahrefs can help identify backlink opportunities.

8. Social Media Sharing: Share your content on social media platforms to drive traffic and generate social signals. Using engaging descriptions and hashtags can increase visibility.

9. Regular Updates: Regularly update your content to keep it fresh and relevant. This encourages return visits and signals to search engines that your site is active.

10. Analytics Monitoring: Use Google Analytics to monitor your site’s performance. Analyze which content performs best and optimize your strategy accordingly.

By implementing these strategies and consistently producing high-quality content, you'll improve your SEO optimization and increase your visibility in search engine results pages.

How to Display SEO Optimization Skills on Your Resume

2. WordPress

WordPress is a popular content management system (CMS) that allows content writers to easily create, edit, and publish web content without needing advanced technical knowledge.

Why It's Important

WordPress is important for a Content Writer because it provides an easy-to-use platform for publishing and managing content, offers SEO optimization tools to increase visibility, and supports a wide range of plugins and themes to enhance the functionality and appearance of written material.

How to Improve WordPress Skills

To enhance WordPress for content writers, focus on these key areas:

1. Optimize Performance: Use a caching plugin like W3 Total Cache and optimize images with tools like Smush.
2. SEO: Improve visibility with Yoast SEO, which guides on readability and keywords.
3. Content Organization: Utilize the Editorial Calendar plugin for planning and scheduling posts.
4. Distraction-Free Writing: Activate WordPress's built-in Distraction-Free Writing Mode for a cleaner writing interface.
5. Backup and Security: Keep content safe with UpdraftPlus for backups and Wordfence for security.
6. Grammar and Style: Use Grammarly or the Hemingway App for proofreading and style improvement directly in your browser.
7. Social Media Integration: Amplify reach with Revive Old Post for auto-sharing content and Social Media Share Buttons for easy content sharing.

Focusing on these areas can significantly enhance the WordPress experience for content writers, making it more efficient, secure, and user-friendly.

How to Display WordPress Skills on Your Resume

3. Google Analytics

Google Analytics is a web analytics service that provides insights into website traffic, user behavior, and content effectiveness, helping content writers optimize their work for audience engagement and reach.

Why It's Important

Google Analytics is crucial for a Content Writer as it provides insights into audience behavior, allowing for data-driven decisions to optimize content strategy, engagement, and reach.

How to Improve Google Analytics Skills

To enhance Google Analytics for a Content Writer, focus on:

1. Set Clear Goals: Define specific objectives for your content. Use Google Analytics' Goals to track conversions and measure how well your content achieves its objectives.

2. Monitor User Behavior: Pay attention to metrics like bounce rate, time on page, and pages per session. Tools like Behavior Flow can help understand how users interact with your content.

3. Analyze Traffic Sources: Determine where your audience is coming from using Acquisition reports. Focus on channels that drive the most engaged visitors.

4. Optimize Content with Search Queries: Use Search Console reports integrated with Google Analytics to understand the search queries leading visitors to your site. Optimize your content based on these insights.

5. Use Custom Segments: Create custom segments to analyze specific groups of users. For example, segment users who spend more than two minutes on a page to understand what captures their interest.

6. Leverage Content Grouping: Group your content into meaningful categories using Content Groupings to analyze the performance of different types of content (e.g., blogs vs. tutorials).

7. Conduct A/B Testing: Use Google Analytics to conduct A/B testing on your content to see what resonates best with your audience. Tools like Google Optimize can be integrated for deeper insights.

8. Regularly Review and Adapt: Analytics should inform your content strategy. Regularly review performance metrics and adapt your content plan based on what's working and what's not.

By focusing on these areas, a Content Writer can use Google Analytics to refine their strategy, create more engaging content, and achieve better results.

How to Display Google Analytics Skills on Your Resume

4. HTML Basics

HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the standard language used to create and design web pages. It consists of a series of elements or tags that tell the web browser how to display content. These elements can define text as headings, paragraphs, links, images, and other types of content. For a content writer, understanding HTML basics allows for better control over how content appears on a webpage, enabling the insertion of links, emphasizing text, and structuring articles for improved readability and SEO performance.

Why It's Important

HTML basics are important for a Content Writer as they enable you to format and structure web content effectively, ensuring it is accessible, engaging, and optimized for search engines.

How to Improve HTML Basics Skills

Improving your HTML basics as a content writer involves understanding the structure of HTML documents, mastering the common tags, and practicing regularly. Here's a concise guide:

1. Learn the Structure: Understand the basic structure of an HTML document, including the <!DOCTYPE>, <html>, <head>, and <body> tags. W3Schools offers a clear explanation.

2. Master Common Tags: Focus on tags that are regularly used in content creation, such as <h1> to <h6> for headings, <p> for paragraphs, <a> for links, <img> for images, and <ul>/<ol> with <li> for lists. The MDN Web Docs is a reliable resource.

3. Practice with Editors: Use online HTML editors like CodePen or JSFiddle to practice your HTML skills in real-time.

4. Understand SEO Basics: Learn how to use HTML to improve SEO. Tags like <title>, <meta description>, and proper use of headings can impact your content's search engine ranking. Moz offers an excellent introduction.

5. Stay Updated: HTML standards evolve, so regularly visit HTML5 Doctor or W3C to stay informed about new tags and best practices.

6. Read and Analyze: Read the HTML source of well-structured websites and blogs to understand how they are constructed. Right-click on a webpage and select "View Page Source" to get insights.

By focusing on these areas and practicing regularly, you'll improve your HTML skills, making your content more effective and versatile.

How to Display HTML Basics Skills on Your Resume

5. CMS Experience

CMS Experience refers to a content writer's familiarity and proficiency with Content Management Systems, the tools used to create, manage, and modify digital content on websites without needing specialized technical knowledge.

Why It's Important

CMS experience is crucial for a Content Writer because it enables efficient management and publication of written material on digital platforms, ensuring content is accessible, up-to-date, and tailored to the target audience's needs.

How to Improve CMS Experience Skills

Improving CMS (Content Management System) experience for a Content Writer involves several key strategies. Focus on simplifying the user interface, ensuring responsive design, providing comprehensive training, implementing robust search functionality, and offering customization options. Additionally, integrating SEO tools and ensuring the CMS supports multimedia content can greatly enhance the experience. For more detailed insights:

• Simplify User Interface: Opt for a CMS with an intuitive and uncluttered interface to reduce the learning curve. WordPress is an example of a CMS with a user-friendly interface.

• Ensure Responsive Design: Choose a CMS that offers a responsive design, allowing content writers to work efficiently across different devices. Squarespace is known for responsive design templates.

• Provide Comprehensive Training: Offer ample training resources such as tutorials or webinars. HubSpot Academy offers free online training that can be beneficial.

• Implement Robust Search Functionality: A powerful search feature within the CMS can significantly improve content management efficiency. Drupal has strong search capabilities.

• Offer Customization Options: A CMS that allows customization in terms of content presentation and layout can be very empowering. Joomla offers extensive customization options.

• Integrate SEO Tools: Having SEO tools integrated into the CMS can streamline the content optimization process. Yoast SEO for WordPress is a popular plugin that integrates seamlessly.

• Supports Multimedia Content: Ensure the CMS can handle various multimedia formats effortlessly, enhancing the richness of content. Adobe Experience Manager excels in managing diverse content types.

By focusing on these areas, the CMS experience for content writers can be significantly improved, leading to more efficient and enjoyable content creation processes.

How to Display CMS Experience Skills on Your Resume

6. Copywriting

Copywriting is the creation of persuasive, engaging text aimed at promoting or selling products, services, or ideas, often utilized by content writers to influence the audience's actions or opinions.

Why It's Important

Copywriting is crucial for a Content Writer as it enhances the ability to persuade and engage the audience effectively, driving conversions and achieving the content's intended purpose.

How to Improve Copywriting Skills

Improving copywriting skills is essential for a content writer aiming to engage and persuade their audience effectively. Here are concise tips with external resources for enhancing your copywriting:

1. Understand Your Audience: Knowing your audience's needs and preferences allows you to tailor your message effectively. HubSpot's Guide on Understanding Your Audience offers comprehensive insights.

2. Practice Writing Headlines: Compelling headlines grab attention. Use CoSchedule's Headline Analyzer to refine your headlines for impact.

3. Focus on Benefits, Not Features: Highlight how your product or service improves lives. QuickSprout's Guide delves into consumer psychology and the importance of benefits.

4. Keep It Simple and Clear: Avoid jargon and complex language. The Hemingway App helps simplify your writing for better clarity and engagement.

5. Use Persuasive Techniques: Familiarize yourself with persuasive writing techniques. Copyblogger's Introduction to Persuasive Copywriting provides valuable strategies.

6. Create a Strong Call-to-Action (CTA): Encourage your readers to take action. For tips on crafting effective CTAs, check out WordStream's CTA Guide.

7. Edit and Proofread: Ensure your copy is free from errors and flows smoothly. Grammarly (Grammarly) is a useful tool for catching mistakes and improving your writing.

8. Read and Analyze Good Copy: Learn from successful copywriters. Swipe-Worthy is a collection of effective marketing and copywriting examples.

9. Continuously Learn and Practice: Copywriting is a skill that improves with practice and ongoing learning. Copyhackers offers free tutorials and articles to hone your skills.

By consistently applying these strategies and leveraging the resources provided, you can significantly enhance your copywriting abilities and create more effective, engaging content.

How to Display Copywriting Skills on Your Resume

7. Proofreading

Proofreading is the process where a content writer reviews their text to correct typos, grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors, ensuring the content is error-free and polished before publication.

Why It's Important

Proofreading is crucial for a Content Writer as it ensures accuracy, enhances readability, eliminates errors, and maintains professionalism, thereby elevating the quality of the content and reinforcing credibility with the audience.

How to Improve Proofreading Skills

Improving proofreading skills is essential for a content writer to ensure the accuracy and quality of their work. Here are concise steps to enhance your proofreading abilities:

1. Take a Break: After writing, take a short break before proofreading to refresh your perspective. This helps in catching errors more effectively.

2. Read Aloud: Reading your content aloud enables you to notice mistakes and awkward phrasing that you might skip while reading silently.

3. Use Tools: Utilize proofreading tools like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor for initial checks.

4. Check for Consistency: Ensure consistency in style, voice, and tense throughout your content.

5. Focus on One Type of Error at a Time: Tackle spelling, grammar, punctuation, and style separately, rather than trying to catch everything in one go.

6. Print it Out: Sometimes, reading a printed version of your work can help you spot mistakes that you might overlook on a screen.

7. Get External Feedback: Have someone else read your work. A fresh pair of eyes can catch errors you might have missed.

8. Create a Checklist: Make a list of common errors you make and check your work against this list every time you proofread.

9. Read Backwards: For checking spelling, read your text backwards. This technique forces you to focus on individual words rather than the content flow.

10. Practice Regularly: The more you proofread, the better you become. Regular practice sharpens your skills and helps you identify errors more quickly.

For further improvement, consider taking online courses or workshops focused on proofreading and editing. Platforms like Coursera and Udemy offer relevant courses that can enhance your skills.

How to Display Proofreading Skills on Your Resume

8. HubSpot

HubSpot is an all-in-one inbound marketing, sales, and CRM platform that helps businesses attract, engage, and delight customers, offering tools for content management, email marketing, social media, and analytics, tailored for effective content creation and distribution.

Why It's Important

HubSpot is important for a Content Writer because it offers an all-in-one platform for content management, SEO, analytics, and marketing automation, enabling writers to create, optimize, and track the performance of their content efficiently.

How to Improve HubSpot Skills

To enhance HubSpot for a Content Writer, focus on key areas for optimization:

1. SEO Optimization: Utilize HubSpot's SEO tools to research keywords and optimize content for better visibility. Learn more about SEO on HubSpot.

2. Content Strategy: Develop a content calendar within HubSpot to plan and execute a consistent strategy. Explore content strategy tools.

3. Analytics Tracking: Track the performance of content using HubSpot's analytics to understand audience engagement and refine strategies. Discover how to analyze content performance.

4. Automation for Promotion: Use HubSpot's email and social media tools to automate the distribution of content. Check out HubSpot's automation tools.

5. Continual Learning: Stay updated with HubSpot Academy for the latest content marketing strategies and tools. Visit HubSpot Academy.

6. Integration for Content Creation: Integrate external tools with HubSpot for enhanced content creation, such as Canva for graphics or Grammarly for writing. Explore HubSpot integrations.

By focusing on these areas, you can significantly improve your content creation and distribution process within HubSpot.

How to Display HubSpot Skills on Your Resume

9. Social Media

Social media refers to online platforms where users create, share, and interact with content, including text, images, and videos, fostering community and communication. For a content writer, it's a space to engage audiences, share written content, and enhance brand visibility.

Why It's Important

Social media is crucial for a Content Writer as it amplifies content reach, engages directly with the audience, builds brand presence, and drives traffic to digital content, effectively enhancing visibility and engagement.

How to Improve Social Media Skills

To improve social media as a Content Writer, focus on these concise strategies:

1. Understand Your Audience: Use analytics tools and surveys to learn about your audience's preferences and tailor your content accordingly. SproutSocial offers insights on utilizing analytics tools.

2. Create High-Quality Content: Ensure your content is engaging, informative, and visually appealing. Canva’s Design School provides excellent tips on creating eye-catching visuals.

3. Use SEO Techniques: Incorporate relevant keywords and hashtags to increase visibility. Moz’s Beginner’s Guide to SEO is a great resource for understanding SEO basics.

4. Engage With Your Audience: Respond to comments, messages, and mentions to build a community around your brand. HubSpot’s Guide to Social Media Engagement highlights strategies for effective engagement.

5. Leverage Analytics: Regularly review your social media analytics to understand what works and refine your strategy accordingly. Hootsuite’s guide on Social Media Analytics is a comprehensive resource.

6. Stay Consistent: Post regularly and maintain a consistent tone and style to keep your audience engaged. Buffer’s Social Media Calendar tips can help plan your content strategy.

7. Experiment and Innovate: Don’t be afraid to try new formats, platforms, and strategies to see what resonates with your audience. Social Media Examiner’s Social Media Trends report can offer insights into emerging trends.

By focusing on these strategies, you can significantly improve your social media presence and effectiveness as a Content Writer.

How to Display Social Media Skills on Your Resume

10. Content Management

Content Management involves organizing, storing, and overseeing the creation and modification of digital content, enabling Content Writers to efficiently create, edit, and publish textual material across various platforms.

Why It's Important

Content Management is crucial for Content Writers as it ensures the organized creation, storage, and delivery of content, enabling efficient updates, consistent quality, and strategic distribution, which are essential for engaging audiences and achieving content objectives.

How to Improve Content Management Skills

Improving Content Management involves streamlining the creation, storage, and distribution of content. Here are concise steps tailored for a Content Writer:

1. Organize with a Content Calendar: Plan your content creation and publication schedule. Tools like Trello or Asana help in organizing tasks and deadlines.

2. Use a Content Management System (CMS): A CMS like WordPress simplifies the process of creating, editing, and publishing content.

3. Optimize for SEO: Use tools like Yoast SEO for WordPress to improve your content's visibility in search engine results.

4. Leverage Cloud Storage: Services like Google Drive or Dropbox ensure your content is safely stored and accessible from anywhere.

5. Implement Version Control: Track changes and manage versions of your content with tools like Git and GitHub.

6. Regularly Review and Update Content: Keep your content relevant and up-to-date to maintain its value for the audience.

7. Analyze Performance: Use analytics tools like Google Analytics to track how well your content performs and tailor your strategy accordingly.

Each step incorporates tools and practices that enhance the efficiency and quality of content management, making the process more streamlined and effective for content writers.

How to Display Content Management Skills on Your Resume

11. Research

Research is the systematic investigation and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions, crucial for content writers to ensure accuracy, credibility, and depth in their work.

Why It's Important

Research is crucial for a Content Writer as it ensures accuracy, enhances credibility, and enriches content by providing well-informed, relevant, and engaging material for the audience.

How to Improve Research Skills

Improving research as a content writer involves continuously honing your ability to gather, analyze, and synthesize information from reliable sources. Here’s a concise guide to enhance your research skills:

1. Define Your Objective: Clearly understand what you are trying to achieve with your research. This helps in focusing your search and analysis efforts.

2. Use Advanced Search Techniques: Learn and utilize advanced search operators on search engines like Google to find precise information quickly. Google Search Operators

3. Evaluate Sources: Prioritize information from reputable and authoritative sources. Check the credibility of the website and the author. Evaluating Internet Sources

4. Bookmark Research Tools: Utilize a variety of tools and databases tailored to your niche. Tools like Google Scholar for academic papers, or Statista for statistics, can provide valuable data.

5. Organize Your Findings: Use digital tools to organize your research. Tools like Evernote or Zotero can help keep your research structured and accessible.

6. Cross-Verify Information: Always seek multiple sources to confirm the accuracy of the information. This is crucial for maintaining the credibility of your content.

7. Practice Critical Thinking: Analyze the information critically, looking for bias, relevance, and context. This is key in synthesizing information that adds value to your content.

8. Keep Notes and References: Documenting your sources as you go makes it easier to cite them correctly and enhances the credibility of your content.

9. Stay Updated: Fields and data can change rapidly. Use tools like Google Alerts to stay informed about the latest developments in your areas of interest.

10. Seek Feedback: Share your research with peers or mentors to get feedback. A fresh perspective can often identify gaps or new angles to explore.

By consistently applying these practices, you can significantly improve the quality and effectiveness of your research, leading to richer and more accurate content creation.

How to Display Research Skills on Your Resume

12. Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop is a powerful software tool designed for editing, manipulating, and creating images and graphics, widely used by content writers for enhancing visual content.

Why It's Important

Adobe Photoshop is important for a Content Writer because it enables the creation and optimization of visuals that enhance written content, making it more engaging and shareable across digital platforms.

How to Improve Adobe Photoshop Skills

Improving your Adobe Photoshop skills, especially as a Content Writer who might need to create or edit visuals for articles, blogs, or social media, involves several straightforward steps:

1. Explore Tutorials: Start with Adobe's own tutorials for a mix of basics and advanced techniques.

2. Practice Regularly: Consistent practice is key. Set aside time each week to experiment with new tools and techniques.

3. Use Templates: Leverage Adobe Stock templates to learn from professional designs.

4. Join Communities: Engage with Photoshop communities on platforms like Behance or Reddit to exchange feedback and tips.

5. Learn Keyboard Shortcuts: Memorize Photoshop keyboard shortcuts to speed up your workflow significantly.

6. Follow Blogs and YouTube Channels: Stay updated with the latest trends and tutorials by following renowned Photoshop educators on blogs and YouTube.

7. Experiment with Plugins: Enhance your Photoshop capabilities with plugins. Explore options on the Adobe Exchange for new tools and effects.

By incorporating these steps into your routine, you can significantly enhance your Photoshop skills, making your content visually appealing and engaging.

How to Display Adobe Photoshop Skills on Your Resume