Pathways, Titles, and Job Skills for a Technical Communicator in Content Strategy

Abstract

This project surveyed professionals who perform content strategy in their work environment or identify their profession as content strategists to find out the kinds of pathways, titles, and job skills in the field of content strategy. The paper will help better understand the opportunities practitioners have in this field in hopes to influence future academic research, industry trends, and college instruction within the field of technical and professional communication. The project used a survey that was shared with online communities known by thousands of content strategists. Participants surveyed included conference attendees, technical communicators, and members of professional associations. 116 participants responded to the survey, resulting in 18 categories of data. The field of content strategy contains many specific domains, such as multichannel content publishing, marketing, information architecture, user interface design, or user experience. Professionals in the field have a variety of roles and use modern online technology to complete their tasks. While there is no right or wrong way to do content strategy, the field encompasses many business, design, editing, organizational, technical, and writing skills, and one person may not fully do content strategy but is a component of their everyday job. The study is a treasure that can show insight about the health of the field and anyone who wishes to stay intune with the industry must pay close attention to this study.