Good content is hard to come by; it doesn’t grow like wild fruit that is ready to be picked or purchased. It has to be created then managed in order to meet quality standards. There’s a process involved in ensuring that your message remains innovative and fresh.

This is where a professional content marketer is important. Demand is on the rise for them but the supply is scarce. More and more companies are interested in hiring a content manager so there’s greater competition to such a limited talent pool.

It’s up to you to figure out how to make your organisation and job offer irresistible to your ideal candidate. That’s easier said than done because not everyone has a network of specialists who they might ask for insight about what they must look for.

How to hire the best content manager

Make sure you choose someone who keeps your leads coming, warms them up, and convert them into sales. We’ve put together these tips for employers who are looking to add a content marketer to your team.

Know the work they do

They are responsible for overseeing your digital content on a day-to-day basis. Their tasks include:

• Making and managing an editorial calendar
• Making content e.g. blog posts from scratch
• Researching keywords and key phrases
• Uploading articles on a content management system
• Monitoring content marketing conversions and goals
• Checking that content is up-to-date (contact information and more)
• Learning about new trends in content marketing

Most content managers start out as writers and got promoted to editors before eventually reaching a managerial position. Thanks to their experience, they know which applicants have the greatest potential in content marketing so rely on them when recruiting for your team.

Check for these factors

The required skills depend on your specific needs as a company. Generally speaking, when hiring a content manager, consider if they possess:

Writing or editing skills

Even if they won’t be writing on a daily basis, they must be capable of catching any typos and perform basic proofreading. They are the last line of quality control before content get published so you want to be sure that they don’t miss any spelling or grammar errors.

Organisational skills

Writers are meant to write and editors are meant to edit. Content managers, on the other hand, are meant to systematise things. Find someone who will make your job simpler for you and the rest of the team, by keeping all of their data and documents organised.

Technical skills

Likely, they are responsible for overseeing your content management system, email marketing tools, editorial calendar tools, and other apps. It’s important that they are tech-savvy so they won’t get lost while navigating the different software. Basic knowledge of CSS and HTML is strongly preferred as well.

Other skills to look for:

• Search engine optimisation and search engine marketing
• WordPress and other preferred content management systems
• Graphic design and video production
• Verbal communication
• Social media marketing especially monetisation and paid ads

Search in these places

Want to know how to hire the best content manager? Learn where to access the best talent pools with prime candidates. We suggest that you begin your headhunting in places like:

LinkedIn: This is a social networking site focused in business thereby attracting a huge number of professionals. Their interface allows you to post job listings here and contact any prospective employees. Member profiles let you see their working experience and connections too.

Upwork: Formerly known as Elance-Odesk, this is a freelancing platform where organisations and online workers collaborate. If you’re interested in hiring someone for a short time before offering them a long-term contract, this is the ideal place.

Mediabistro: It may not be as well-known as the two websites above but it has a community of over 1 million users. Their rates start at USD 297 for a single job posting that will be active for 30 days once published. Their talent pool is full of creatives including content specialists.

Ask the right questions

After making a list of good candidates, the next step in hiring a content manager is the interviews. Consider the questions you’ll be asking to separate the best applicants from the mediocre. To get you started in the right direction, we suggest asking:

• What content management systems have you worked with in the past?
• What do you believe is the advantage of good content to a business?
• How would you rate your experience with CSS or HTML?
• What is the difference between ‘good’ content and ‘okay’ content?
• What tools do you recommend that companies use for content marketing?
• How do you determine if your content is successful or not?
• How many social media profiles and websites did you manage at one time?
• How large were the online presence you have been responsible for before?
• Which aspects of our content do you think needs improvement?
• What is your process in creating a content strategy tailored to your client?

Give them breathing room

In the process of hiring a content manager, remember that they are a creative bunch so allow them some freedom. It’s fine to have a preexisting editorial calendar but don’t expect them to adhere to it without asking for their input. Seek their suggestions and opinions for your content.

Let them write sometimes

Much of the skill required for successful content marketing is managerial. However, content specialists are naturally creative and appreciate the chance to write articles sometimes. Provide leeway in their schedules wherein they may create the content instead of delegating it all the time.

Avoid micromanaging

Check that your expectations or requirements aren’t counterproductive to content creation. This means you mustn’t require your content manager to get permission from you for every topic or copy. Trust them to know what is up to standard and see them produce more content than ever before.

Consider the team size

Think about the kind of team you want them to manage. For smaller teams, hiring a content manager with years of experience is a smart move. This is because they prefer a blank canvas and the freedom to choose the people working under their wing.

Thinking of hiring a content manager?

Content marketing is an essential technique when you want to keep your target audience engaged. The thing is, you want a content manager to handle your campaigns to ensure that you are going in the right direction and investing in the correct resources.

When you need help to hire a content manager, we at Remote Workmate know how to go about it. We are a global staffing agency specialising in connecting employers with professional content marketers and other virtual workers.