Website Content Producer Jobs

About This Music Career

Even as society moves more towards the internet as a venue for learning more about music, artists, etc., there is still a need for Website Content Producers. Similar to how a newspaper or magazine needs writers and editors, websites need Content Producers. This individuals main responsibility is to develop interesting and unique content for a record label's website. To do this, he or she must spend time researching and writing relevant articles, blurbs and blogs, with topics including artist biographies, tour information, announcements regarding new albums, and other features.

Usually, larger labels require larger websites, which in turn may require more than one Content Producer, with maybe one Content Producer handling a few of the label's artists, and another to handle the remaining artists. Another Content Producer may be responsible for home page content, contest information, or promotional copy.

Website Content Producers at larger record labels usually report to the Senior or Executive website Content Producer, who oversees the work of all of the other content producers. The website Content Producers themselves may be in charge of staff copywriters and graphic designers, while other Content Producers are tasked with finding freelancers to write articles on a variety of subjects. Once these stories are completed, the Content Producer would probably edit and ready them for the Webmaster to put online.

Other than physically writing, the website Content Producer may be responsible for interviewing label artists and obtaining photos to add to the stories in order to make the stories more interesting. It is also the Content Producer's job to create surveys, questionnaires or other materials distributed to site visitors.

In terms of who the website Content Producer works with, they are usually in discussions with the Promotion and Publicity Departments in order to distribute as much information as possible.

Pretty much above all else, it is imperative for record labels to keep their sites fresh, attractive and informative, or else they will lose visitors.

Salaries
A website Content Producer can expect to earn a salary ranging from $29,000 to $80,000 or more per year. This all depends on the size and prestige of the record label, where the record label is geographically located, the experience and reputation of the individual.

Smaller labels hire consultants to take care of the responsibilities of the website Content Producer, and they can earn between $15 and $50 or more per hour.

Employment
Because of the fact that more websites are becoming part of our everyday lives, with more sure to come with ever new act or record label, employment prospects are fair. It is also fairly common for the website Content Producer to be located off-site, performing their work remotely.

Advancement
The most common method of advancement for the website Content Producer is finding a similar position at a larger record label, giving the individual increased responsibilities and thus, higher earnings.

If he or she is working on a specific part of the website, it is possible for them to be promoted to position of Executive content Producer. Also, some website Content Producers move into publicity or public relations positions.

Education and Training

Due to competition and the nature of the work, most record labels require those in this position to have a minimum of a four-year college degree. Useful college majors include communications, journalism, English, Public Relations, Marketing, and Liberal Arts.

Those who know HTML will definitely have a leg up on other candidates who don't. Any workshops or seminars that allow you to learn more about public relations, writing, promotion, journalism, and the music industry in general will be helpful in grasping new skills and establishing new contacts.

Experience, Skills, and Personality
Individuals must have some sort of experience with writing and editing – some have journalism backgrounds, and others may have worked in publicity or public relations. Website Content Producers also need to command the English Language, and possess advanced writing skills and creativity.

Due to the nature of the job, Website Content Producers must know how to multitask and work under pressure without getting flustered or frustrated.

Unions and Associations
The Internet Professionals Association (IPA) and the World Organization of Webmasters (WOW) are useful organizations for individuals interested in learning more about careers in the field. Website Content Producers may also belong to various music-related associations like the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) or specific associations like the Country Music Association (CMA) or the Gospel Music Association (GMA).

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