An Editorial Assistant is a professional who provides crucial support to editorial teams in various industries, including publishing, journalism, and content creation. They play a vital role in ensuring the smooth operation of editorial processes and the timely delivery of high-quality content. In this blog post, we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Editorial Assistants.

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Main Responsibilities of an Editorial Assistant

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of an Editorial Assistant:

Analyze

Analyze both successes and failures for clues to improvement.

Assign

Assign additional stories to outside freelance editors.

Assist in

• Assist in brainstorming and pitching ideas for new content initiatives.

• Assist in conducting reader surveys and market research initiatives.

• Assist in managing permissions and copyright clearance for published content.

• Assist in managing subscriptions, distribution, and circulation of publications.

• Assist in researching and gathering information for articles, manuscripts, or content pieces.

• Assist in the development of marketing and promotional materials.

• Assist in the development of story ideas and editorial themes.

• Assist in the general preparation of documents for publication.

• Assist in the preparation and distribution of press releases or media kits.

• Assist in the production of print materials, digital content, or multimedia projects.

• Assist with BridgeUniverse Website.

• Assist with editing as needed and notifies quality control of errors.

• Assist with planning editorial calendar.

• Assist with the running of films when required.

• Assist with various ad hoc editorial tasks and provide support to editors when requested.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate with graphic designers, photographers, and other creative professionals.

• Collaborate with marketing and product team to refine and finalize calendar.

Collect

Collect, process, and maintain data for print and electronic products.

Compile

• Compile and edit various reference and promotional reels.

• Compile content for newsletters, choosing what performs best in email.

• Compile data and statistics for use in reports, articles, or presentations.

Conduct

Conduct interviews and gather quotes from sources as needed.

Coordinate

• Coordinate editorial board meetings.

• Coordinate event coverage and attend industry-related functions as needed.

• Coordinate photo shoots, video recordings, or multimedia projects.

• Coordinate with writers, authors, and contributors to ensure timely submission of materials.

Create

• Create and sends quarterly ELT News Digest Email.

• Create news article briefs with sources, article resources, and context.

• Create tracked links for use on social assets.

Curate

Curate a round-up of the best "life-hack” podcasts for guys for our weekly newsletter.

Design

Design and deploy schedules for various editorial teams when necessary.

Develop

• Develop an actionable travel itinerary / adventure that informs a catalog theme.

• Develop relationships and sources in the industry.

Drive

Drive – Demonstrates a strong personal and professional will to accomplish objectives.

Edit

Edit and fact-checks news articles as needed.

Encode

Encode and transcode material using Media Encoder and other tools.

Enjoy

Enjoy the challenge of unfamiliar tasks.

Filter

Filter external communications.

Follow

Follow brand guidelines to create native Stories on Instagram, sharing UGC and press coverage daily.

Format

Format and layout content for publication across various platforms.

Generate

• Generate and tracks writer contracts and invoices.

• Generate reports on website traffic, audience engagement, and content performance.

Handle

Handle special projects as assigned.

Help

• Help build video versions of our slideshow stories.

• Help Deputy Editor track story status from assignment through payment.

• Help facilitate training, hiring, content organization.

Hire

Hire, onboard, and train ELT journalists.

Improve

Improve the site's reputation by spot checking the websites for issues.

Investigate

Investigate writer and content quality issues as flagged by customer teams.

Learn

Learn quickly when facing new problems.

Liaise with

Liaise with freelancers, ensure invoices are received and directed to the appropriate place.

Maintain

• Maintain appropriate files, records, and other documents as required.

• Maintain archives of past issues, articles, and reference materials.

• Maintain a relentless focus on driving deadlines.

• Maintain databases (Filemaker & in-house databases).

• Maintain department databases and directories.

• Maintain team spreadsheets to a high standard.

Manage

• Manage and maintain the internal reference library.

• Manage approval of freelancers' invoices.

• Manage correspondence and communications with authors, agents, and other stakeholders.

• Manage freelance ELT journalists.

• Manage multiple projects and work efficiently with tight deadlines in a professional manner.

• Manage overall organizational and administrative needs of the Content teams.

Monitor

• Monitor and respond to comments and feedback on digital platforms.

• Monitor and track social media channels for engagement and feedback.

Organize

Organize and maintain editorial calendars and schedules.

Participate in

Participate in editorial meetings and contribute insights and suggestions.

Perform

Perform final review of files for quality assurance before publication.

Pick up on

Pick up on technical things quickly.

Plan

Plan, organize, schedule and budget in an efficient, productive manner.

Prepare

• Prepare and run dailies sessions when required.

• Prepare daily data for publication as assigned.

• Prepare showreel shots for Artists.

Present

Present a total can-do attitude and willingness to learn and take direction.

Process

Process full-text or hard copy documents as necessary.

Proofread

• Proofread and edit written content for accuracy, clarity, and adherence to style guidelines.

• Proofread and perform light copy editing for consistency, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Provide

• Provide administrative support to editorial teams, including scheduling meetings and managing

• Provide administrative support to editorial teams, including scheduling meetings and managing expenses.

• Provide administrative support to editors, managers, and product managers.

• Provide basic email support to our freelance writers.

• Provide editorial support to editors and managers.

• Provide insights and ideas on how to improve and optimize our site.

• Provide user support through the Zendesk ticket system.

Research

• Research, collate, digitise and export video reference material.

• Research competitive publications and stay informed about industry trends.

• Research is second nature to you.

• Research trends and topics relevant to the publication or content focus.

Respond to

Respond to reader inquiries, feedback, and requests for information.

Review

Review a high volume of writer applications and issue invites to the platform.

Run

• Run conversions on data to conform to database formats.

• Run specific software processes to create database files for updating publications.

Select

Select images or works with designer to create images for the articles.

Stay on top of

Stay on top of ELT industry trends and events to provide insightful suggestions.

Support

• Support editors by providing information and resources, as well as reminders.

• Support other members of the Editorial team.

Take

Take initiative, persists in the face of obstacles, and is driven to succeed.

Translate

• Translate high-level ideas and vision into practical, executable actions.

• Translate materials from English to French.

Update

Update and maintain content management systems or databases.

Use

• Use his / her time effectively and efficiently.

• Use scheduling tools for weekend posting and brief the weekend team.

• Use this data to inform content calendar and develop future content initiatives.

Work with

• Work with editors and production department staff to meet established deadlines.

• Work with Senior Journal Editor to establish and maintain editorial calendar and content pipeline.

• Work with the Copy team to write copy for Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and the blog.

Write

• Write abstracts and summaries of assigned items for publication.

• Write a detailed buying guide for the Best Boots and what to wear with them.

• Write at least three of these slideshows per week.

• Write promotional copy for Facebook, Twitter and other social platforms.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of an Editorial Assistant:

1. Proficiency in word processing software (e.g., Microsoft Word, Google Docs).

2. Familiarity with content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal).

3. Knowledge of proofreading symbols and editing conventions.

4. Understanding of grammar, punctuation, and style guidelines (e.g., AP Stylebook).

5. Basic knowledge of HTML and CSS for digital content formatting.

6. Experience with photo editing software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, Canva).

7. Familiarity with social media platforms and scheduling tools.

8. Basic understanding of search engine optimization (SEO) principles.

9. Knowledge of email marketing platforms and newsletter software.

10. Ability to use project management tools for task organization and collaboration.

11. Proficiency in spreadsheet software (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets).

12. Basic understanding of web analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics).

13. Experience with video editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, iMovie).

14. Familiarity with desktop publishing software (e.g., Adobe InDesign, Scribus).

15. Knowledge of citation and reference management tools (e.g., Zotero, EndNote).

16. Understanding of data visualization tools for creating infographics.

17. Experience with audio editing software for podcast production.

18. Familiarity with online survey and polling platforms.

19. Knowledge of email etiquette and professional communication standards.

20. Ability to troubleshoot technical issues related to digital content production.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of an Editorial Assistant:

1. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

2. Attention to detail and strong proofreading abilities.

3. Time management and organizational skills.

4. Ability to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.

5. Adaptability and willingness to learn new skills.

6. Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively.

7. Problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.

8. Creativity and a keen eye for visual design.

9. Empathy and sensitivity to diverse perspectives.

10. Positive attitude and enthusiasm for the editorial process.

Conclusion

Editorial Assistants play a critical role in the creation, production, and dissemination of content across various media platforms. To excel in this role, professionals need a combination of technical expertise, editorial skills, and interpersonal abilities.