Teaser

Term from Newspaper Publishing industry explained for recruiters

A teaser is a short, attention-grabbing piece of text that appears at the beginning of a news article or on the front page of a newspaper. It's designed to make readers curious and want to read the full story. Think of it like a movie trailer, but for news stories. Teasers are crucial in both print and digital publishing, appearing in newspapers, news websites, and email newsletters. They help editors showcase important stories and help readers quickly decide which articles they want to read in full.

Examples in Resumes

Wrote compelling teasers for front-page stories that increased readership by 25%

Created engaging teaser headlines for digital news platform

Developed teasers and headlines for daily newsletter reaching 50,000 subscribers

Typical job title: "Copy Editors"

Also try searching for:

News Editor Digital Content Editor Editorial Assistant Content Writer Headline Writer Web Editor Front Page Editor

Where to Find Copy Editors

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you decide which stories deserve front-page teasers?

Expected Answer: A senior editor should discuss news value assessment, reader interest patterns, and how to balance breaking news with feature stories, while also considering digital engagement metrics.

Q: How have you adapted teaser writing for digital platforms?

Expected Answer: Should explain differences between print and digital teasers, SEO considerations, and how to write teasers that work well on various platforms like mobile, web, and social media.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How do you write teasers that drive reader engagement?

Expected Answer: Should describe techniques for creating compelling teasers without clickbait, understanding audience interests, and using analytics to improve teaser effectiveness.

Q: What's your process for editing teasers for different sections of the publication?

Expected Answer: Should discuss adapting writing style for different newspaper sections (news, features, sports), maintaining consistency, and meeting space constraints.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What makes a good teaser?

Expected Answer: Should explain basic elements of effective teasers: being concise, engaging, accurate, and giving just enough information to make readers want more.

Q: How do you ensure your teasers are accurate and ethical?

Expected Answer: Should discuss fact-checking processes, avoiding misleading statements, and maintaining journalistic integrity while writing engaging teasers.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic copywriting and editing
  • Understanding of journalism ethics
  • Knowledge of house style guide
  • Basic digital publishing tools

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Strong headline writing
  • SEO optimization
  • Analytics interpretation
  • Multi-platform content adaptation

Senior (5+ years)

  • Editorial strategy development
  • Team leadership
  • Content performance analysis
  • Cross-department collaboration

Red Flags to Watch For

  • Poor grammar and spelling in writing samples
  • No understanding of journalistic ethics
  • Inability to write concisely
  • No experience with digital publishing platforms