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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Writing Intern

💰 $15/hr - $30/hr

InternshipWritingContentCommunicationsMarketing

🎯 Role Definition

The Writing Intern is an entry-level content specialist who supports the editorial and content marketing team by researching, drafting, and optimizing written materials for blogs, email, social media, and product pages. This role emphasizes strong written communication, basic SEO and CMS competency, attention to detail, and the ability to take feedback and iterate quickly. The Writing Intern will help scale content production, maintain editorial standards, and learn content strategy and analytics in a fast-paced team environment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • College student majoring in Journalism, English, Communications, Marketing, or related field
  • Recent graduate with a portfolio of writing samples
  • Volunteer content creator, campus newspaper writer, or freelance writer

Advancement To:

  • Content Writer / Junior Copywriter
  • SEO Content Specialist
  • Editorial Assistant / Associate Editor

Lateral Moves:

  • Social Media Coordinator
  • Marketing Coordinator
  • Communications Assistant

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Produce high-quality, SEO-friendly blog posts, articles, and long-form content on assigned topics by conducting thorough research, synthesizing sources, and delivering clear, accurate copy that aligns with brand voice and target audience intent.
  • Draft concise, persuasive social media captions and short-form copy for platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Instagram, and Facebook, adapting tone and messaging to platform-specific best practices and audience segments.
  • Write, format, and proof-edit email newsletter content, including subject lines, preheaders, body copy, and CTAs, while collaborating with the email marketing manager to A/B test headlines and optimize open and click-through rates.
  • Perform keyword research and apply on-page SEO best practices (title tags, meta descriptions, header tags, keyword placement) to increase organic search visibility and drive qualified traffic to published content.
  • Edit and fact-check content for grammar, clarity, accuracy, and consistency with the company style guide (AP/Chicago/Brand Voice), ensuring every piece meets editorial standards prior to publication.
  • Publish and update content in the CMS (WordPress, Contentful, or equivalent), including proper metadata entry, internal linking, image alt text, and formatting for readability on desktop and mobile.
  • Collaborate with designers, videographers, and product teams to produce integrated content (blogs with embedded visuals, infographics, and short video annotations), ensuring written copy complements design elements and accessibility standards.
  • Repurpose long-form content into multiple formats (social posts, email snippets, slide decks, FAQs) to maximize content ROI and extend the lifecycle of high-performing assets.
  • Conduct interviews with subject matter experts, customers, or partners to gather quotes, insights, and primary-source material that strengthen story credibility and depth.
  • Assist in content ideation sessions, pitch new article topics, and maintain an evergreen content backlog aligned to SEO opportunities and business goals.
  • Maintain and update the editorial calendar, track deadlines, and coordinate with stakeholders to ensure timely content delivery and campaign alignment.
  • Support content localization and tone adjustments for international markets by adapting messaging to cultural norms and regional audience preferences under editorial guidance.
  • Create clear, scannable content using headings, bullet lists, and concise paragraphs to improve reader engagement and dwell time metrics.
  • Prepare content performance summaries by pulling basic analytics (traffic, engagement, time on page) and reporting learnings to the content manager to inform future editorial decisions.
  • Optimize product and category page copy for conversions by incorporating benefits-focused language, user intent insights, and SEO-driven keywords.
  • Implement brand-compliant CTAs and landing page copy in collaboration with growth or demand-gen teams to support lead generation campaigns and sales enablement initiatives.
  • Contribute to content governance by flagging outdated content, suggesting updates or consolidation opportunities, and maintaining content inventories and version control.
  • Support public relations or corporate communications projects by drafting press release snippets, media pitches, or executive bios as assigned.
  • Produce short-form scripts and storyboards for social videos, explainer videos, and podcast show notes that drive engagement and support distribution strategies.
  • Track and respond to basic content comments or community questions under supervision, escalating nuanced or sensitive issues to the appropriate team member.
  • Assist with voice and tone audits across existing content to identify inconsistencies and recommend concrete updates that improve brand clarity and user experience.
  • Research competitor content and industry trends to benchmark content quality, discover gaps, and propose timely editorial angles that differentiate our voice.
  • Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and accessibility requirements in copy (disclosures, copyright attributions, alt text) and flag potential issues to legal or compliance teams.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc research, keyword discovery, and content performance analysis using Google Analytics, Search Console, or internal dashboards.
  • Help maintain content production workflows, ticketing systems, and sprint boards (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira) to keep editorial projects on schedule.
  • Assist with basic image sourcing, captioning, and metadata entry, coordinating with the design team for any custom visual assets.
  • Participate in weekly editorial meetings, brainstorms, and feedback sessions to continuously improve writing craft and content impact.
  • Contribute to customer-facing FAQ updates and knowledge base entries to improve self-service support and SEO discoverability.
  • Support outreach for content promotion, including drafting outreach emails and influencer/media briefs under guidance from the PR/marketing team.
  • Shadow content strategy and performance review sessions to learn how editorial decisions tie to business metrics and revenue goals.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • SEO writing and on-page optimization (title tags, meta descriptions, H1/H2 structure, keyword placement).
  • CMS proficiency (WordPress, Contentful, Drupal, or similar) including publishing workflows and content templates.
  • Familiarity with content research and keyword tools (Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, Ahrefs, Moz).
  • Basic Google Analytics and Search Console literacy to read traffic and engagement metrics.
  • Strong command of English grammar, AP or Chicago style, and experience with editing tools (Grammarly, Hemingway).
  • Experience drafting social media copy and understanding platform-specific best practices (LinkedIn, Instagram, X/Twitter).
  • Email copywriting basics and familiarity with email platforms (Mailchimp, HubSpot, or similar).
  • Ability to format content in Markdown or basic HTML for web publishing.
  • Proven ability to create content that follows brand voice guidelines and accessibility best practices (alt text, readable contrast, headings).
  • Familiarity with collaborative tools (Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Slack) and project management software (Asana, Trello, Jira).
  • Basic multimedia scripting skills for short-form video and podcast show notes.
  • Competency in conducting primary and secondary research, interviews, and synthesizing sources into clear copy.

Soft Skills

  • Excellent written and verbal communication with attention to nuance in tone and style.
  • Strong attention to detail, accuracy, and fact-checking discipline.
  • Curiosity and a research-driven mindset that produces well-informed content.
  • Ability to accept constructive feedback and iterate quickly.
  • Time management and organizational skills to meet multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Creative thinking and ideation skills to propose unique editorial angles.
  • Collaboration and interpersonal skills for cross-functional teamwork.
  • Resilience and adaptability in a dynamic content calendar and shifting priorities.
  • Critical thinking and audience empathy to tailor content for specific user intents.
  • Initiative and ownership mindset with a willingness to learn new tools and best practices.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from an undergraduate program (Associate or Bachelor's) in Journalism, English, Communications, Marketing, or related field; equivalent demonstrated writing portfolio accepted.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in Journalism, English, Communications, Marketing, or Creative Writing.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Journalism
  • English Literature
  • Communications
  • Marketing
  • Creative Writing
  • Digital Media / Media Studies

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–1 years (internship, campus media, freelance writing, or volunteer content roles)

Preferred: 6–12 months of relevant internship or freelance experience with a portfolio of published writing samples, familiarity with CMS publishing, and basic SEO/content analytics experience.

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