Online Editor / Content Manager

Lothaar

Hi,
I was recently appointed as the online editor for a commercial magazine website. I have a background in journalism and magazine editing. That part's fine.

The problem is that I don't have any background in the technical side of websites. I'm computer and internet savvy... but I don't know any HTML, CSS or any of that.

My question is: what skills/qualifications should an online editor ideally possess. I want to move up the ladder in this job, and I think I need more than just a journalism background.

Any help would be gladly repaid with a hamburger on Tuesday!

Cheers.

Laslo

On-line Editor could really mean anything to be honest. A bit more information about the day to day tasks would be nice. Do you find yourself doing a lot of copy writing for the Web? Are you expected to do any coding, authoring or production of any kind (e.g. XHTML, JavaScript, PHP, Flash/actionscript, etc)?

Goodshape

I'd imagine it depends largely on the set-up and requirements of the online magazine you're working for, as Laslo says.

But.. and I'm making a few assumptions here... If you're reasonably computer and 'net savvy to start with, chances are that will be enough to get you a foothold.

I assume the online magazine already has a web based content management system in place? If that's the case then your skills in journalism and magazine editing are probably the most important requirements, as the actual HTML and CSS will be handled by the system created by your web designers.

Usually the systems you use (content management systems / CMS) are web based applications - but really the important word here is 'application'.. and just like any other computer application it's simply about getting used to the one you're working with, knowing it's strengths, weaknesses, best practice and limitations.

If you really feel like learning a bit about HTML and CSS, I'm sure it won't hurt.. but I'd imagine it's slightly beyond what is required for an online editor.

Web Developer (making it work) ... Web Designer (making it look nice.. this is the html/css/etc.) ... Content Editor (this is you)

Usually three different jobs.

wheres me jumpa

Agree with Laslo, its very vague. tbh a commerical magazine should have a content management system in place that allows people like you to come along and add content without the need for coding experience.

Lothaar

I'm content editor or conent manager. We have a CMS. I don't have to do any coding or authoring or anything.

I can do my job with the skills I have, but I'd like to be able to bring something extra. I can't make the site any better, beyond writing articles, because I don't know enough.

I know online editor is a bit vague - that has caused me no end of confusion. I can't find much info on the web that relates to me. Take www.hotpress.com - they have an online editor who writes, edits and manages content. That's what I do.

When I look at job descriptions for jobs that come up in the area, they tend to mention knowledge of HTML, CSS... and other things I haven't studied. There's also SEO and analysing traffic stats, etc.

Sometimes these jobs are actually NOTHING like what I'm doing. It's bloody confusing. I've been trying to get a handle on exactly what I need to know for months. I want to find out what the ideal skills for my job are and then actively pursue training and qualifications so that I can 'raise my stock' in the industry. Obviously, good content is a large part of that stock... but it's the other stuff that I need help with.

I'm posting here as a last resort, so please don't think I'm being lazy.

Laslo

A lot of the time it will depend on the CMS that you're using. Some CMS interfaces are very straightforward WYSIWYG affairs with no need to know any code. Others, IBM Websphere Content Management for example, require a good knowledge of HTML so that you can edit the source mark-up and content.

Goodshape

And surely your employers have given you some sort of idea of the skills you'll be needing?

luckylucky

Lothaar wrote: »

When I look at job descriptions for jobs that come up in the area, they tend to mention knowledge of HTML, CSS... and other things I haven't studied. There's also SEO and analysing traffic stats, etc.

I would think for your role, if you started getting involved with html and CSS you might just irritate the guys whose job it is already to do that. SEO and analysing traffic stuff though is something you could definitely get involved with I think. Also it shoudln't be as difficult for someone with less of a techincal background. I don't think you'd need to do any specific training on SEO as such, for one thing best SEO practices can change rapidly. Just google it and find out as much as you can. Hope that helps a bit.

Bob the Builder

Your job appears to be a manager rather than an editor if you ask me. Personally, I feel you should leave the skills to the professionals, but you should start asking people in your local area who read the magazine/newspaper to have a look at the website and ask them for their opinions. Then do a detailed analysis.

Because of your job, you workmates/fellow colleagues will be able to interpret the recommendations/analysis, and better again, you'll have little trouble composing one.

After that, if there's special work that needs to be done, then ask your superiors for an imprest to maintain and run the site.

Regarding skills.... if you spend as much time as you should spend, learning HTML and other languages proficiently, your as well off to give up your job, and be a full time web developer. However, it would be nice to get a book on HTML, and SEO, and a few subjects like that, just to have a grip on it, and be able to understand it.

Good Luck OP
~NevF

Lothaar

Thanks for the replies.

Ehh... I don't want to go into it too much for fear of being identified... but no, my employer didn't give me an outline of the skills required. I was given the job, promised training that I never got and put in a series of impossible situations. That's behind me now, I got through it... but I'm still wondering how to improve my skillset for the role. (I wouldn't mind going to a different company...)

Luckylucky - there ARE no guys to do that job! It's just me!! Nobody's going to get irritated. If I don't do stuff, it doesn't get done. The initial development was outsourced.

Nevf - again, there is nobody employed to do these specialised jobs. I would like to have a good understanding of all the little bits and pieces associated with the website.

Bob the Builder

Lothaar wrote: »

Nevf - again, there is nobody employed to do these specialised jobs. I would like to have a good understanding of all the little bits and pieces associated with the website.

What I mean is that you should do your market research and then outsource what needs to be done, using the imprest...

Have a look at www.w3schools.com for a basic idea of the various bits and pieces of web design.. Start with HTML, Javascript and CSS and work from there...

democrates

You're not sure what skills are required to "move up the ladder". There are lots of ladders and you're going to spend years on them, follow your passion.

colm_c

OP: Have you thought about doing some kind of web writing course? The skills from journalism come over very well but there are a lot of things on the web that work and don't work and knowing these will make your role.