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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Entertainment Writer

💰 $45,000 - $75,000

WritingMediaEntertainmentContent CreationJournalism

🎯 Role Definition

Are you obsessed with the latest blockbuster films, binge-worthy TV shows, and the pulse of pop culture? We're looking for a dynamic and talented Entertainment Writer to join our team. The ideal candidate is a natural storyteller with a sharp, witty voice and a deep passion for all things entertainment. You will be responsible for pitching, researching, and writing a variety of content—from breaking news and in-depth features to critical reviews and engaging listicles—that captivates our audience and drives conversation. This is an opportunity to lend your expert voice to the cultural zeitgeist, connect with a massive audience, and grow as a digital media professional.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Junior Writer / Staff Writer
  • Editorial Assistant
  • Freelance Blogger / Contributor
  • Social Media Coordinator

Advancement To:

  • Senior Entertainment Writer
  • Features Editor / TV Editor / Film Editor
  • Content Strategist
  • Managing Editor

Lateral Moves:

  • Branded Content Writer
  • Public Relations Specialist
  • Social Media Manager
  • Copywriter

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Pitch, research, and write a high volume of engaging daily articles (3-5+ per day) covering breaking entertainment news, television, film, celebrity culture, and music.
  • Develop and write in-depth, long-form features, critical reviews, and thought-provoking op-eds on current trends and significant events in the entertainment industry.
  • Conduct and transcribe interviews with industry talent, including actors, directors, musicians, and creators, for exclusive Q&A features and profiles.
  • Craft compelling, clickable, and SEO-optimized headlines, meta descriptions, and body content to maximize organic search traffic and reader engagement.
  • Watch and analyze screeners for television shows and films to produce timely, insightful reviews, recaps, and critical analyses ahead of public release dates.
  • Stay meticulously up-to-date on breaking entertainment news, pop culture moments, and social media trends to identify and pitch unique, timely story angles.
  • Master the publication's distinct voice, tone, and style guide to ensure all content is consistent with our brand identity and editorial standards.
  • Source, format, and properly credit high-quality images, videos, and social media embeds to visually enhance articles and improve reader experience.
  • Actively participate in daily and weekly brainstorming sessions with the editorial team to develop new content franchises, coverage strategies, and tentpole event planning.
  • Work collaboratively with editors to refine pitches, incorporate constructive feedback, and produce polished final drafts that meet all editorial requirements.
  • Utilize content management systems (CMS) like WordPress to build, format, and publish articles efficiently and accurately.
  • Monitor analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Chartbeat, Parsely) to track content performance, identify audience behavior patterns, and inform future content strategy.
  • Cover live events, such as award shows, film festivals, and press junkets (virtually or in-person), providing real-time updates and comprehensive follow-up coverage.
  • Develop and maintain a network of industry contacts, including publicists, studio representatives, and sources, to secure exclusives and gain early access to information.
  • Write engaging scripts for video and social media content based on published articles and trending topics.

Secondary Functions

  • Update and refresh existing evergreen content to ensure it remains accurate, relevant, and optimized for current SEO best practices.
  • Contribute to the creation and maintenance of the editorial calendar, planning content around major entertainment premieres, album releases, and seasonal trends.
  • Assist in fact-checking and copy-editing articles from other writers to maintain a high standard of quality and accuracy across the publication.
  • Collaborate with the social media and audience development teams to create compelling promotional copy and assets for published articles across various platforms.
  • Engage with the reader community through article comments and on social media channels to foster a loyal and active audience.
  • Participate in the creation of multimedia content, such as podcast segments or on-camera appearances, to complement written articles and expand brand reach.
  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
  • Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • SEO Expertise: Proficient in SEO best practices, keyword research tools (e.g., SEMrush, Ahrefs), and Google Trends to identify opportunities and drive organic traffic.
  • CMS Proficiency: Hands-on experience with modern Content Management Systems such as WordPress, Chorus, or similar proprietary platforms for publishing digital content.
  • Digital Analytics: Ability to interpret data and pull insights from tools like Google Analytics, Chartbeat, or Parsely to understand content performance and inform strategy.
  • AP Style Mastery: Strong command of AP Style and English grammar, with the flexibility to quickly adapt to an in-house style guide.
  • Basic Photo Editing: Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop or other image editing tools for cropping, resizing, and optimizing images for the web.
  • Social Media Tools: Deep understanding of how to use platforms like X (Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook for news gathering, sourcing, and content promotion.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional Writing & Storytelling: A superior command of the English language with the proven ability to write clean, compelling, and accurate copy under tight deadlines.
  • Strong News Judgment: A keen, innate sense of what makes a compelling story and the ability to identify unique, buzzworthy angles on trending topics.
  • Deadline-Driven Time Management: Proven ability to juggle multiple assignments, prioritize tasks effectively, and consistently meet deadlines in a fast-paced, 24/7 news environment.
  • Creativity & Idea Generation: A proactive and endlessly creative mindset with the ability to consistently pitch original, engaging, and well-researched story ideas.
  • Collaborative Communication: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for working effectively and respectfully with editors, fellow writers, and cross-functional teams.
  • Adaptability & Versatility: The flexibility to pivot quickly between different content formats (news, features, reviews) and cover a wide range of entertainment verticals with authority.
  • Meticulous Attention to Detail: A commitment to accuracy, fact-checking, and producing polished work that is free of errors.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree or equivalent professional experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor's or Master's Degree in a relevant field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Journalism
  • Communications
  • English / Creative Writing
  • Film / Media Studies

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 2-5 years of professional experience in digital media writing, with a portfolio showcasing published work.

Preferred:

  • At least 2 years of experience at a major digital media publication with a specific focus on entertainment news, television/film criticism, or pop culture commentary. A strong personal social media presence and a robust portfolio of published clips are highly desirable.
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