They say rules are meant to be broken.
Well, “they” never hired anyone.

The hiring process is no joke. I know this because I spent the last three weeks scanning and sorting and Google-doc-organizing dozens of resumes. I have been clicking and scrolling and clicking and scrolling through digital portfolios. But mostly what I have been doing is crying on the inside.

A great writer is hard to find.
And to be honest, I need more than just a great writer.

I need someone who can create content and market it. I need a genetically modified organism: I need a content marketing copywriter. Know any?

Here’s what every content marketing copywriter should possess in order to a). make it through an interview with me and b). write well in today’s digital world:

#1. An Insane Passion for Content
Writing is hard. Really hard. If you don’t love writing it, nobody will love reading it. Speaking of reading, your passion for creating content should also include your passion for consuming content. Stephen King said, “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write.” Did I mention writing is hard?

#2. A Healthy Respect for Content Strategy
You can craft the most compelling content. (And I hope you do.) But if the right people don’t see it, at the right time, in the right place, in the right format, for the right device, it’s unlikely that your content will drive any awareness. That’s why strategy always comes before tactics. What are your goals? Do you know the brand’s voice? Who is the target audience? What’s your competition have to say? Oh, and, what’s your strategy for managing all that content once it’s published? Yep, you need to know that too.

#3. A Strong Regard for Content Optimization
Copywriting isn’t just about writing. Content marketing isn’t just about content. No matter where you work, if you’re a content creator, you must know how to optimize your words for responsive design, for SEO, for UX, for blogs, for social media, for paid media, and last, but definitely not least, for conversion.

Am I being too picky? I don’t think so.

Ask yourself: How important is content in emerging media? It’s vital. In an integrated marketing campaign, brands seek to leverage multiple channels. But in order to maximize your performance on any platform, you need the right message.

Which of these “rules” do you like best? Least? Help me out, I have more interviews lined up. What would you add to the list?