How to Become a Web Editor
If you have experience as a traditional print editor, it makes sense to apply your skills to become an editor for the Web as well. However, being a web editor involves learning some new tricks because the Web is an entirely different medium than traditional publishing. Get the whole picture by learning how to become a web editor.
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Instructions
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Expect that you will need a college degree to become a web editor, preferably in English or communications. At the very least, you should possess a bachelor's degree. However, some companies prefer candidates that have master's degrees.
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Make copies of previously published material for a portfolio, especially any work that has been published electronically. Before you can convince an employer that you can effectively manage content to drive the company's Internet presence, you'll need to demonstrate that you have solid writing ability and 1 to 5 years of writing experience, preferably for the Web.
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Provide examples of previous work as an editor if possible. Showing that you have a clear understanding of different editing styles can help to establish your eligibility to become a web editor. At the very least, you should know that the Chicago Manual of Style is applied to fiction, and the American Medical Association (AMA) and American Psychological Association (APA) guides pertain to medical and academic writing.
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Be aware that you will need exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to become a web editor. Unlike many traditional editing positions, the web editor is more likely to have the responsibility of 'knitting together' various departments involved in the web production process, as well as implementing user feedback. The ability to work with others collaboratively and efficiently is important.
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Make sure you have a thorough understanding of the mission of a company or organization and what it hopes to accomplish with an Internet presence before you apply to become its web editor. This kind of dialog is much more meaningful to a potential employer than anything than can be gleaned from your resume.
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Upload your resume, search and apply for web-editing jobs and track your submissions from an active, online employment service, such as CareerBuilder.com (see Resources below).
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Tips & Warnings
A web editor plays a much more expanded role than an editor engaged with a print publication. Other than managing content and a pool of writers, the web editor must take the entire visual presentation of the website into consideration, with an understanding of how all of the elements impact its architecture and user experience.
