Top 12 Managing Editor Skills to Put on Your Resume

Crafting a compelling resume as a managing editor demands a strategic showcase of key skills that highlight your adeptness at steering content creation and team leadership. This article delineates the top 12 skills essential for managing editors to amplify their professional narrative and captivate potential employers.

Managing Editor Skills

1. Copyediting
2. InDesign
3. WordPress
4. SEO
5. CMS (Content Management Systems)
6. AP Style
7. Google Analytics
8. HTML/CSS
9. Project Management
10. Social Media
11. Photo Editing (Photoshop)
12. Video Editing (Premiere Pro)

1. Copyediting

Copyediting involves reviewing and correcting written material to improve accuracy, readability, and fitness for its purpose, ensuring that text is free of errors, and is consistent and coherent, in line with the publication's style guide.

Why It's Important

Copyediting ensures the clarity, coherence, consistency, and correctness of text, enhancing readability and professionalism, which is crucial for maintaining the publication's credibility and engaging the target audience effectively.

How to Improve Copyediting Skills

To improve copyediting skills as a Managing Editor, focus on the following concise strategies:

1. Understand the Basics: Solidify your understanding of grammar, punctuation, and style. Refer to resources like The Chicago Manual of Style for comprehensive guidelines.

2. Stay Updated: Language evolves, so regularly consult updated resources such as Merriam-Webster's Dictionary for current language usage.

3. Utilize Tools: Leverage editing tools like Grammarly for grammar checks and Hemingway App for readability improvements.

4. Read Widely: Improve your editing skills by reading a wide range of materials. This broadens your understanding of different writing styles and contexts.

5. Practice Regularly: Edit diverse texts to challenge and refine your skills. Offer to edit for different departments or volunteer for organizations in need of editors.

6. Feedback Loop: Create a feedback system with writers and fellow editors. Use platforms like Google Docs for collaborative editing and feedback.

7. Continuous Learning: Participate in workshops and courses from reputable organizations such as The Editorial Freelancers Association for professional development.

By consistently applying these strategies, you'll enhance your copyediting skills, contributing to the production of polished and engaging content.

How to Display Copyediting Skills on Your Resume

2. InDesign

InDesign is a professional desktop publishing software developed by Adobe Systems, used for designing, preflighting, and publishing documents for print, online, or mobile devices. It's essential for managing editors to create and layout periodicals, posters, and print media, offering advanced typography, graphics, and page design capabilities.

Why It's Important

InDesign is crucial for a Managing Editor as it enables precise layout design, efficient text and graphics integration, and streamlined production of high-quality print and digital publications, ensuring consistent and professional results across all projects.

How to Improve InDesign Skills

Improving your InDesign skills as a Managing Editor involves mastering layout design, efficient workflow management, and leveraging the full suite of Adobe InDesign features. Here are concise tips and resources for enhancement:

1. Master Keyboard Shortcuts: Speed up your workflow by learning InDesign's keyboard shortcuts. Adobe's Shortcut Guide provides a comprehensive list.

2. Utilize Templates: Start with templates for consistent branding and design across documents. Adobe Stock offers a variety of professional templates.

3. Automate with Scripts: Automate repetitive tasks by using or writing InDesign scripts. InDesignSecrets is a valuable resource for finding scripts that can enhance your productivity.

4. Stay Organized with Layers: Use layers to manage different elements of your design effectively. Adobe’s tutorial on Working with Layers outlines best practices.

5. Harness GREP Styles for Text Formatting: Automate text styling with GREP styles for efficiency. Learn more through Adobe’s GREP in InDesign guide.

6. Learn Effective Use of Typography: Enhance readability and aesthetics with advanced typography. Adobe’s Typography section offers insights.

7. Optimize Images and Graphics: Understand the best practices for incorporating images and graphics to maintain high-quality outputs without compromising performance. The guide on Graphics can be a good starting point.

8. Stay Updated with New Features: Adobe regularly updates InDesign. Stay informed about new features and how they can benefit your workflow on the Adobe Blog.

9. Join InDesign Communities: Engage with other professionals for tips, tricks, and support. The InDesignSecrets community is a great place to start.

10. Participate in Training and Workshops: Continuously improve your skills through online courses and workshops. LinkedIn Learning and Udemy offer courses ranging from beginner to advanced levels.

By focusing on these areas, you can significantly improve your efficiency and expertise in Adobe InDesign, ultimately benefiting your role as a Managing Editor.

How to Display InDesign Skills on Your Resume

3. WordPress

WordPress is a content management system (CMS) that allows managing editors to create, edit, publish, and organize website content easily through a user-friendly interface, without needing to know how to code.

Why It's Important

WordPress is important for a Managing Editor because it offers an easy-to-use platform for publishing content, managing workflows, and customizing the look and feel of a website, thereby streamlining editorial processes and enhancing online presence.

How to Improve WordPress Skills

Improving WordPress as a Managing Editor involves optimizing content management, enhancing user experience, and ensuring website security. Here are concise strategies with relevant resources:

1. Optimize Content Workflow: Use editorial plugins like Edit Flow to manage your editorial calendar, content team, and workflows efficiently.

2. SEO Improvement: Incorporate SEO plugins such as Yoast SEO to optimize your content for search engines, improving visibility and traffic.

3. Speed Optimization: Utilize caching plugins like WP Rocket to speed up your website, enhancing user experience and SEO rankings.

4. Security Enhancement: Implement security measures by using plugins like Wordfence Security to protect your website from threats.

5. Mobile Optimization: Ensure your website is mobile-friendly with responsive themes and plugins like AMP to improve user experience on mobile devices.

6. Regular Updates and Backups: Keep WordPress, themes, and plugins updated. Use backup solutions like UpdraftPlus to safeguard your website's data.

7. Engage with Analytics: Integrate Google Analytics with WordPress using MonsterInsights to track and analyze your site's performance for informed decision-making.

8. Quality Content Creation: Focus on creating high-quality, engaging content. Tools like Grammarly can help ensure error-free writing.

9. User Feedback: Implement feedback tools or plugins to collect user input, helping you to address their needs and improve their experience.

By following these strategies and utilizing the linked tools and plugins, a Managing Editor can significantly improve the performance and user experience of a WordPress site.

How to Display WordPress Skills on Your Resume

4. SEO

SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, involves optimizing online content so that a search engine prefers to show it as a top result for searches of a certain keyword, aiming to increase web traffic and visibility. For a Managing Editor, it means guiding content creation in ways that enhance its discoverability and ranking on search engines.

Why It's Important

SEO is crucial for a Managing Editor because it enhances the visibility of content online, attracts more organic traffic to the website, and ensures that the material reaches its intended audience effectively, thereby increasing engagement and supporting the overall success of the publication.

How to Improve SEO Skills

As a Managing Editor aiming to improve SEO, focus on:

• Keyword Research: Identify relevant keywords using tools like Google Keyword Planner. Incorporate these keywords naturally into your content, titles, and meta descriptions.

• Quality Content: Create high-quality, engaging content that provides value to your audience. Use Grammarly for grammar and plagiarism checks.

• On-Page Optimization: Optimize page titles, headers, and images. Use descriptive alt text for images. Tools like Moz Pro can guide on-page SEO efforts.

• Site Structure: Ensure your website has a clear, logical structure with a sitemap. This helps search engines understand and index your content efficiently.

• Mobile Optimization: Ensure your site is mobile-friendly with tools like Google's Mobile-Friendly Test.

• Page Speed: Improve website loading times using Google PageSpeed Insights.

• Backlink Building: Gain high-quality backlinks from reputable sites in your niche. Tools like Ahrefs can help analyze backlinks and find opportunities.

• Social Media Engagement: Increase visibility by promoting your content on social media platforms. Engage with your audience to drive traffic back to your site.

• Analytics: Regularly monitor your SEO performance with Google Analytics and adjust strategies accordingly.

Concentrate on creating a user-friendly experience that satisfies search intent, while leveraging SEO tools and analytics to refine and improve your approach over time.

How to Display SEO Skills on Your Resume

5. CMS (Content Management Systems)

A CMS (Content Management System) is a software platform that allows managing editors and other users to create, edit, publish, and manage digital content without needing specialized technical knowledge.

Why It's Important

CMS is crucial for a Managing Editor as it streamlines content creation, collaboration, and publication processes, ensuring efficient, consistent, and timely delivery of high-quality content across various platforms.

How to Improve CMS (Content Management Systems) Skills

Improving a Content Management System (CMS) as a Managing Editor involves focusing on:

1. User Experience (UX): Enhance the backend for editors and the frontend for users. Ensure intuitive navigation and responsive design. Nielsen Norman Group provides excellent UX design principles.

2. Content Workflow: Streamline content creation, review, and publication processes. Implementing a clear workflow within your CMS can lead to more efficient content management. Contentful's guide on content modeling and workflows can be helpful.

3. SEO Optimization: Integrate SEO tools for keyword analysis, readability checks, and on-page optimization. Yoast SEO is a popular plugin for WordPress sites.

4. Security Measures: Regularly update the CMS and plugins to the latest versions to protect against vulnerabilities. Sucuri offers comprehensive guides on website security.

5. Customization and Scalability: Customize themes and plugins to fit your needs. Plan for future growth in content and traffic. WordPress Codex provides extensive resources for customization.

6. Training and Support: Provide training for your editorial team to make the most out of your CMS features. Regularly review and adapt your training materials as the CMS evolves. HubSpot Academy offers free online training that can be adapted for CMS training purposes.

7. Analytics Integration: Use tools like Google Analytics to monitor user behavior and content performance directly from your CMS dashboard. Google's Analytics Academy can guide you through setting up and understanding analytics.

Focusing on these areas can significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of a CMS from a Managing Editor's perspective.

How to Display CMS (Content Management Systems) Skills on Your Resume

6. AP Style

AP Style, short for Associated Press Style, is a standardized approach to writing and formatting news and journalistic content, focusing on clarity, brevity, and accuracy. It covers grammar, punctuation, usage, and journalistic principles, serving as a guide for writers and editors in maintaining consistency across publications.

Why It's Important

AP Style is important for a Managing Editor because it ensures consistency, clarity, and professionalism in written content, facilitating readers' understanding and maintaining the publication's credibility.

How to Improve AP Style Skills

Improving AP Style as a Managing Editor involves a multifaceted approach focused on consistency, clarity, and staying updated with the latest guidelines. Here are concise steps:

1. Familiarize Yourself: Ensure you and your team are well-versed with the AP Stylebook. Regularly review key sections relevant to your publication's focus.

2. Stay Updated: AP Style is regularly updated. Subscribe to the AP Stylebook Online for the latest changes and participate in webinars or training sessions offered by AP.

3. Create a Style Guide Supplement: Develop an internal style guide that addresses any organization-specific styles or exceptions to AP Style. This document should be easily accessible to all editors and writers.

4. Implement Regular Training: Organize periodic training sessions for your staff to refresh their knowledge and introduce new updates. Use resources from the AP Stylebook's official site for accurate training materials.

5. Use Editing Tools: Implement tools like Grammarly or AP StyleGuard that can help automate and catch common AP Style errors.

6. Encourage Team Discussion: Foster an environment where team members can discuss and clarify AP Style questions. Consider creating a dedicated communication channel for style queries.

7. Review and Feedback: Regularly review published content for AP Style adherence and provide constructive feedback to your writers and editors to improve.

8. Read Widely: Encourage your team to read widely, especially publications that adhere to AP Style. This helps familiarize them with the style in practice.

By focusing on these areas, you can enhance your team's AP Style proficiency and ensure your publication's content is consistent and up-to-date with the latest journalistic standards.

How to Display AP Style Skills on Your Resume

7. Google Analytics

Google Analytics is a web analytics service that provides detailed statistics and insights about a website's traffic, user behavior, and engagement, enabling a Managing Editor to make informed decisions on content strategy and audience targeting.

Why It's Important

Google Analytics is important for a Managing Editor because it provides detailed insights into website traffic, reader behavior, and content performance, enabling informed decisions to enhance engagement, optimize content strategy, and increase audience retention.

How to Improve Google Analytics Skills

To enhance Google Analytics for a Managing Editor, focus on the following key points:

1. Set Clear Goals: Define specific, measurable objectives for your content. Use the Goals feature in Google Analytics to track conversions and engagements.

2. Custom Dashboards: Create custom dashboards tailored to your needs for a quick overview of the metrics that matter most to you.

3. Content Grouping: Implement Content Grouping to categorize and analyze the performance of different types of content, helping you understand what resonates with your audience.

4. Enhanced Link Attribution: Enable Enhanced Link Attribution to see how users interact with your links, providing insights into user behavior and navigation patterns.

5. Integrate with Google Search Console: Link Google Analytics with Google Search Console to gain insights into search queries, click-through rates, and how users find your content.

6. Audience Segmentation: Use Audience Segmentation to analyze specific groups of visitors, enabling more targeted content strategies.

7. Leverage Annotations: Make use of Annotations to note important events or content updates, helping you track their impact on your site's traffic and engagement.

8. Regular Audits and Training: Conduct regular audits of your Google Analytics setup and stay updated with Google's Analytics Academy for the latest features and best practices.

By implementing these strategies, a Managing Editor can effectively use Google Analytics to track performance, understand audience behavior, and optimize content strategy.

How to Display Google Analytics Skills on Your Resume

8. HTML/CSS

HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the standard language used to create and design web pages by structuring content. CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) is used alongside HTML to define the visual appearance and layout of web pages, allowing for customization of colors, fonts, and spacing. Together, they form the backbone of web design, enabling the creation of visually appealing and well-structured websites.

Why It's Important

HTML/CSS is essential for a Managing Editor as it provides control over the structure and presentation of content, ensuring it is accessible, engaging, and consistent across various platforms.

How to Improve HTML/CSS Skills

Improving your HTML/CSS skills involves understanding the fundamentals, practicing regularly, and staying updated with the latest web standards. Here’s a concise guide:

1. Understand the Basics: Start with the core concepts of HTML (structure) and CSS (style). Mozilla Developer Network (MDN) provides an excellent introduction.

2. Practice: Apply what you learn by building small projects. Websites like CodePen allow for experimentation with HTML/CSS in real-time.

3. Learn Responsive Design: Understanding how to make designs work on different devices is crucial. CSS Tricks offers great tips on responsive design.

4. Utilize Frameworks: Frameworks like Bootstrap can accelerate development and ensure responsiveness.

5. Follow Best Practices: Write semantic HTML and maintainable CSS. Resources like Google's Web Fundamentals provide guidelines on best practices.

6. Stay Updated: Web standards evolve. Follow blogs, forums, and communities dedicated to web development. Smashing Magazine is a great place to keep up with trends and techniques.

7. Use Developer Tools: Learn to use browser developer tools to inspect and debug your HTML/CSS. Here’s a beginner’s guide on Chrome DevTools.

By following these steps and continuously practicing, you’ll see significant improvement in your HTML/CSS skills.

How to Display HTML/CSS Skills on Your Resume

9. Project Management

Project management involves planning, organizing, and overseeing tasks and resources to achieve specific goals within a set timeline, ensuring a project is completed efficiently and effectively. For a Managing Editor, it entails coordinating the production process of publications, ensuring content meets quality standards, deadlines are met, and resources are allocated appropriately.

Why It's Important

Project management is crucial for a Managing Editor as it ensures the efficient coordination of tasks, resources, and timelines, facilitating the timely and quality publication of content while aligning with budgetary constraints and stakeholder expectations.

How to Improve Project Management Skills

Improving project management, especially for a Managing Editor, involves a strategic blend of clear communication, streamlined processes, and leveraging the right tools. Here are concise steps to enhance project management:

1. Define Clear Objectives: Establish and communicate clear, achievable goals for each project. SMART criteria can guide this process.

2. Implement a Project Management System: Utilize tools like Trello, Asana, or Monday.com to organize tasks, deadlines, and responsibilities.

3. Regular Check-ins: Schedule weekly or bi-weekly meetings to update on progress, address issues, and adjust timelines as necessary. Tools like Zoom or Slack can facilitate communication.

4. Feedback Loop: Establish a system for feedback among team members and stakeholders to continually refine processes. SurveyMonkey can be an effective tool for gathering feedback.

5. Time Management: Encourage the use of techniques like Pomodoro or time tracking tools like Toggl to improve individual and team productivity.

6. Professional Development: Invest in training and resources to enhance the team's project management skills. Platforms like LinkedIn Learning offer courses on various aspects of project management.

By focusing on these areas, a Managing Editor can significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their project management approach.

How to Display Project Management Skills on Your Resume

10. Social Media

Social media refers to online platforms that facilitate user-generated content sharing, interaction, and community building among users.

Why It's Important

Social media is crucial for a Managing Editor as it amplifies content reach, engages directly with the audience, enhances brand visibility, and provides real-time feedback, thereby driving more effective content strategies and audience growth.

How to Improve Social Media Skills

Improving social media, especially from a Managing Editor's perspective, involves strategic content creation, audience engagement, and analytics monitoring. Here's a concise guide:

1. Content Quality: Prioritize high-quality, relevant content that aligns with your audience's interests and platform trends. Use tools like BuzzSumo to research popular content in your niche.

2. Consistent Brand Voice: Ensure all posts reflect your brand's voice and values. This consistency strengthens brand recognition. Sprout Social offers solutions for managing your brand voice across channels.

3. Engagement: Actively engage with your audience by responding to comments and messages. This builds community and loyalty. Hootsuite can help manage all social media interactions in one place.

4. Visuals: Incorporate compelling visuals into your posts. Tools like Canva offer easy-to-use features for creating eye-catching images and graphics.

5. Analytics: Regularly review analytics to understand what works and refine your strategy. Platforms like Google Analytics and native analytics on social networks provide valuable insights.

6. Scheduling: Use scheduling tools to maintain a consistent posting frequency. Buffer is a popular option that supports various platforms.

7. Trend Monitoring: Stay updated with social media trends and algorithm changes. Websites like Social Media Today can be helpful.

8. User-Generated Content: Encourage and share content created by your audience. It enhances community feeling and provides authentic material.

9. Collaborations: Partner with influencers or brands that share your audience to expand your reach. Tools like Upfluence can help identify potential partners.

10. Training: Continuously educate yourself and your team on social media best practices. Platforms like LinkedIn Learning offer courses on various aspects of social media management.

By focusing on these areas, a Managing Editor can significantly improve their organization's social media presence and effectiveness.

How to Display Social Media Skills on Your Resume

11. Photo Editing (Photoshop)

Photo editing, particularly in Photoshop, involves altering and enhancing digital images to improve their quality, adjust their appearance, or achieve a desired effect, encompassing tasks from basic adjustments like cropping and color correction to complex manipulations like object removal and composite creation.

Why It's Important

Photo editing, particularly through tools like Photoshop, is crucial for a Managing Editor as it ensures visual content is compelling, aligns with narrative goals, and meets professional standards, enhancing overall publication quality and reader engagement.

How to Improve Photo Editing (Photoshop) Skills

Improving photo editing skills, especially in Photoshop, is essential for a Managing Editor overseeing visual content. Here are concise steps to enhance your Photoshop proficiency:

1. Master the Basics: Start with understanding the fundamentals of Photoshop. Adobe’s official tutorials are an excellent place to begin.

2. Learn Keyboard Shortcuts: Speed up your workflow by memorizing Photoshop keyboard shortcuts.

3. Follow Online Courses: Platforms like Udemy and Skillshare offer comprehensive courses tailored to all levels.

4. Practice Regularly: The key to proficiency is consistent practice. Challenge yourself with projects that push your boundaries.

5. Join Communities: Engage with online forums and social media groups like the r/photoshop subreddit to exchange tips and feedback.

6. Stay Updated: Photoshop updates regularly. Keep abreast of new features and tools via Adobe’s What’s New page.

7. Use Presets and Plugins: Enhance efficiency by using presets and plugins. Find resources on Adobe Exchange.

8. Critique Your Work: Regularly review and critique your projects. Identify areas for improvement and seek feedback from peers.

By following these steps and dedicating time to learn and practice, your photo editing skills in Photoshop will significantly improve, supporting your role as a Managing Editor.

How to Display Photo Editing (Photoshop) Skills on Your Resume

12. Video Editing (Premiere Pro)

Video editing in Premiere Pro involves the process of manipulating and rearranging video clips to create a new work, focusing on structure, content, sound, pace, and aesthetics. It enables the managing editor to oversee the post-production phase, ensuring the final product aligns with the project's vision and goals.

Why It's Important

Video editing, particularly with Premiere Pro, is crucial for a Managing Editor because it enables the creation of polished, engaging content that can captivate audiences, enhance storytelling, and maintain brand consistency across multimedia platforms. This skill ensures the efficient production of high-quality video content, vital in today’s digital and visual media landscape.

How to Improve Video Editing (Premiere Pro) Skills

Improving video editing skills in Adobe Premiere Pro as a Managing Editor involves continuous learning and practice. Here’s a concise guide to enhancing your capabilities:

1. Learn the Basics: Start with Adobe's official tutorials to understand fundamental concepts and workflows.

2. Keyboard Shortcuts: Familiarize yourself with Premiere Pro's keyboard shortcuts to speed up your editing process.

3. Color Grading Mastery: Enhance your videos visually through color correction and grading. Explore courses on platforms like Skillshare or Lynda.

4. Audio Editing: Good video is half seen, half heard. Learn to improve audio quality within Premiere or using Adobe Audition. Adobe provides a handy guide here.

5. Efficient Workflow: Develop an efficient editing workflow by using bins, sequences, and markers. Adobe's tips on organizing your projects can be very helpful.

6. Use Templates and Presets: Save time by using templates and presets for effects, transitions, and titles. Sites like Motion Array offer numerous options.

7. Stay Updated: Premiere Pro is constantly updated with new features. Keep an eye on Adobe's What's New page.

8. Join Communities: Engage with other video editors by joining forums or groups like the Premiere Pro User Group on Facebook or r/premiere on Reddit for tips, feedback, and networking.

9. Practice Projects: Practice your skills with real projects or by re-editing existing videos. Challenge yourself with new techniques and effects in each project.

10. Feedback and Critique: Submit your work for critique by peers or mentors. Constructive criticism is invaluable for growth.

By dedicating time to learn, practice, and incorporate feedback, you can significantly improve your video editing skills in Premiere Pro.

How to Display Video Editing (Premiere Pro) Skills on Your Resume