Commerce Writer (Lifestyle & Entertainment)
BenefitsPulled from the full job description
- Health insurance
- 401(k) matching
- Paid time off
- Paid holidays
Full job description
We’re seeking an entry- to mid-level Commerce Writer to join our Lifestyle & Entertainment team. Reporting to the Senior Commerce Editor, this role is responsible for pitching, researching, and writing a high volume of shoppable stories that help readers discover products they love, spanning celebrity fashion and beauty, sales and deals, fashion roundups, product reviews, gift guides, and more. You’ll combine a strong service-journalism sensibility with a sharp eye for trends, thoughtfully connecting our audience with products that are useful, on-brand, and aligned with our editorial standards.
The anticipated base pay range for this position is between 60k and 65k annually. Individual base pay may vary within that range depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, relevant education, department equity, training, geography, and local wage and hours laws.
Key Responsibilities
- Pitch, research, and write 4-8 commerce-focused stories per day, including:
- Celebrity fashion and beauty content
- Fashion roundups
- Sales and deal coverage tied to key retail moments and tentpole events
- Gift guides for tentpole holidays, seasonal moments, and trending occasions
- Product reviews and recommendations based on thorough research and testing (when applicable)
- Use SEO best practices, trend analysis, and audience insights to shape pitches and packaging.
- Optimize headlines, ledes, and on-page elements to drive engagement and conversion while maintaining editorial integrity.
- Collaborate with editors to package stories with compelling imagery and clear calls-to-action.
- Monitor celebrity style, social media, and shopping trends to identify story opportunities.
- Update and refresh evergreen commerce content to keep product recommendations current and competitive.
- Track performance of commerce stories using analytics tools and incorporate insights into future coverage.
- Adhere to editorial and commerce guidelines, including clear labeling, FTC-compliant disclosures, and reader-first recommendations.
- Experiment with company-owned AI tools/agents to improve workflow and scale content.
Required Qualifications
- 1–3 years of professional experience writing commerce content, preferably for a fashion, lifestyle, or entertainment publication.
- Demonstrated portfolio of shoppable stories (e.g., celebrity-inspired shopping content, product roundups, deals coverage, reviews, gift guides, etc.).
- Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to translate research and product details into clear, engaging, and serviceable copy.
- Familiarity with commerce/affiliate best practices, including how to balance editorial voice with conversion goals.
- Comfort working in a fast-paced digital environment, consistently meeting deadlines and managing multiple assignments at once.
- Working knowledge of SEO principles (keyword research, search intent, headline optimization) and how they inform content strategy.
- Ability to identify and quickly translate trends in celebrity style, fashion, beauty, and lifestyle into compelling story ideas.
- Detail-oriented and organized, with strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset.
Preferred Skills
- Experience working with content management systems and analytics tools.
- Prior experience in a digital newsroom or editorial commerce team environment.
This is a leadership role, reporting to the Senior Director of Commerce, based remotely.
About McClatchy:
Our impact is growing every day. 30 growing markets. Over 65 million monthly readers. 56 Pulitzer Prizes. A strong portfolio of dynamic partnerships and smart investments. Our award-winning journalism, digital reach, and commitment to innovative growth have never been stronger.