How do you become an editorial director?

1 Skills and Education

To become an editorial director, you need a combination of hard and soft skills, as well as a relevant education. Some of the hard skills you need are writing, editing, proofreading, research, SEO, analytics, and content management systems. Some of the soft skills you need are communication, leadership, collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving. You also need to have a keen eye for detail, a strong sense of style and tone, and a good understanding of your target audience and market. A bachelor's degree in journalism, communication, English, or a related field is usually required, but some employers may also prefer a master's degree or a certification in a specific niche or industry.

2 Experience and Portfolio

To become an editorial director, you need to have several years of experience in editorial roles, such as writer, editor, copy editor, or managing editor. You need to demonstrate your ability to produce high-quality content for different formats and channels, such as print, online, social media, video, or podcast. You also need to show your leadership and management skills, such as hiring, training, mentoring, and supervising editorial staff, freelancers, and contributors. You need to have a portfolio that showcases your best work and your editorial vision, as well as your achievements and impact on the publications or organizations you worked for.

3 Networking and Job Search

To become an editorial director, you need to build and maintain a strong professional network that can help you find opportunities and referrals. You can network with other editorial professionals, industry experts, influencers, and potential employers through online platforms, such as LinkedIn, Twitter, or Medium, or through offline events, such as conferences, workshops, or meetups. You can also join professional associations, such as the American Society of Magazine Editors, the Online News Association, or the Society for Editors and Proofreaders, to access resources, education, and connections. You can search for editorial director jobs on job boards, such as Indeed, Glassdoor, or ZipRecruiter, or on niche sites, such as Mediabistro, JournalismJobs, or Ed2010.