Contract News Writer, Pets – $22 to $25 per hour
The Arena Group is seeking an experienced Contract News Writer, Pets with excellent writing skills and online know-how to join our team. If hired, you will be responsible for producing quick-turnaround, 400-500 word articles on a daily basis, which will be assigned each morning by the Deputy Editor. We are specifically looking for candidates that have 3-5 years experience (ideally) writing for a reputable publication/website. Applicants without any pet-related experience will not be considered.
We are hoping to find someone who is team-oriented, detail-oriented, creative, possesses great time-management skills, and is able to turn around clean, accurate copy in a timely manner, without the need for a heavy top edit. You have a thorough understanding of how to write in an online capacity, including properly sourcing and hyperlinking material, and also composing articles in an engaging tone that aims to provide the most optimal reader experience. You also have a willingness to learn, and an ability to apply feedback to further hone your craft and develop your skills as a writer. Bonus points if you are a pet parent and are obsessed with your fur baby!
Important Details to note:
You will work eight-hour shifts during usual Monday – Friday business hours (e.g. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). You will work with the Deputy Editor to establish exact deadlines/details.
The Arena Group’s expected hourly pay rate range for this position is currently $22 – 25 per hour. Actual pay may vary based on multiple factors including education, experience and other factors permitted by law. Due to the volume of applications we receive, only applicants selected for consideration will be contacted.
What You’ll Do:
- Writing multiple short, quick-turnaround articles on topics related to pets & animals (minimum of six daily)
- Searching social media channels of key players in the niche industry to find potential sources of content
- Searching for and choosing appropriate photos for each article
- Pitching ideas for articles to the Deputy Editor
- Accepting and applying feedback from the Deputy Editor to improve the quality of articles
What You’ll Bring:
- Excellent verbal and written communication
- Strong work ethic and reliability
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
- At least 3 years of writing experience in a news capacity with clips to serve as examples
- Thorough knowledge, experience, and understanding of the niche topics touched upon in pet care & wellness, pet products/accessories, viral animal stories (e.g. zoos, rescues, cute pet videos, etc.)
- The ability and bandwidth to work Eastern Standard Time business hours
- A genuine interest/love of animals is a plus
- Willingness to take a writing test as a part of the recruitment process