Freelance Video Content Strategist

Freelance Video Content Strategist

This role sits at the intersection of content strategy, SEO-driven storytelling, and YouTube growth, with a strong focus on transforming search insights into high-performing video content. You will be responsible for shaping ideas into structured scripts that maximize retention, clarity, and audience engagement across long-form and short-form formats. Acting as both strategist and editorial reviewer, you will guide content from concept through publication, ensuring each video aligns with discovery goals and viewer intent. The position also includes ownership of channel operations, metadata optimization, and performance tracking across YouTube and Instagram. You will collaborate closely with production teams, helping refine edits, improve pacing, and ensure creative consistency. This is a hands-on freelance role ideal for someone who understands both algorithmic performance and human-centered storytelling in sensitive subject areas like behavioral health.
Accountabilities:

Translate SEO-driven topic clusters and search intent into structured, high-performing YouTube video briefs.
Write engaging, retention-focused scripts (9–15 minutes) with strong hooks, narrative flow, and clear calls to action.
Provide editorial review of video cuts, delivering precise feedback on pacing, clarity, tone, and alignment with the original brief.
Identify and integrate short-form opportunities (Reels, TikTok) directly within scripts and concepts during pre-production.
Develop video packaging elements including titles, thumbnail concepts, and metadata to optimize search and click-through performance.
Own YouTube publishing workflows, including uploads, scheduling, descriptions, tags, end screens, and playlist management.
Coordinate cross-posting and basic operational support for Instagram Reels distribution.
Track and analyze monthly performance metrics (watch time, CTR, search traffic, engagement) and provide actionable insights.
Maintain channel health by monitoring content performance, updating metadata where needed, and staying aligned with platform best practices.
Collaborate with production teams and on-camera talent to ensure content quality and alignment with strategic goals.
Requirements:

3+ years of experience in YouTube content strategy, scripting, or editorial development for brand or creator channels.
Proven ability to create content that ranks and performs for specific SEO-driven queries.
Experience reviewing video edits and providing clear, structured editorial feedback.
Strong understanding of YouTube growth mechanics, audience retention, and content discovery.
Hands-on experience managing YouTube channels, including publishing workflows and analytics (YouTube Studio).
Familiarity with short-form content repurposing across TikTok and Instagram Reels.
Strong scriptwriting skills with the ability to balance SEO optimization and natural storytelling.
Ability to develop titles, thumbnails, and packaging strategies that drive engagement.
Comfortable working with subject matter experts and non-professional on-camera talent.
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple content workflows simultaneously.
Willingness and ability to travel once per month to NYC, SF, or LA.
Experience in behavioral health or sensitive-topic content is strongly preferred.
Benefits:

Freelance retainer compensation of $8,000/month (covering 4–5 videos per month and related deliverables)
Remote-first working arrangement with monthly collaboration travel
Opportunity to shape and scale a high-impact YouTube content strategy from the ground up
Direct ownership of content strategy, scripting, and editorial direction
Creative influence across both long-form and short-form video ecosystems
Exposure to mission-driven behavioral health storytelling
Potential for long-term engagement beyond initial 3-month trial period
Collaborative environment with cross-functional creative and production teams