The Question We Are Asked Most Often
'How do I make sure I am still relevant in five years?' It is the question that comes up in almost every career conversation we have with publishing professionals right now. And it is the right question to be asking. The industry is changing at a pace that means standing still professionally is effectively moving backwards.
The reassuring answer is that the fundamentals of great publishing -editorial judgement, author relationships, an understanding of what audiences want and need, quality and accuracy - remain as valuable as they ever were. The challenging answer is that those fundamentals are necessary but no longer sufficient. The most secure careers in publishing right now are those built on strong craft foundations with deliberately developed modern skills layered on top.
The Skills That Will Define the Next Phase of Publishing
Data fluency is non-negotiable. You do not need to be an analyst, but you need to be analytically literate. That means being comfortable with dashboards, understanding what metrics matter for your specific function, and being able to translate data insights into practical decisions. This is learnable, and there has never been more accessible resource to develop it.
AI collaboration skills are emerging as a genuine differentiator. The professionals who will thrive are not those who resist AI tools but those who understand how to work alongside them effectively, knowing when to use them, when not to, and how to maintain quality and editorial standards within AI-assisted workflows. Publishers are already looking for this; by 2027 it will be expected rather than exceptional.
Commercial literacy is increasingly important across all publishing functions. Understanding how your role contributes to revenue, directly or indirectly, and being able to speak that language with senior stakeholders will distinguish strong performers from excellent ones. This is as relevant for editors and publicists as it is for sales and marketing professionals.
Mindset Matters as Much as Skills
Beyond specific skills, the professionals we see building the most durable careers in publishing share a particular mindset: genuine curiosity about the business, willingness to engage with unfamiliar disciplines, and an expansive rather than defensive view of their role. They do not see data as a threat to editorial judgement. They see AI as a tool to evaluate thoughtfully. They understand that the boundaries between functions are dissolving.
Practical Steps to Take Right Now
• Audit your current skill set honestly against the roles you want to move into
• Identify one data or digital skill to develop substantively in the next six months
• Seek out cross-functional projects or secondments within your organisation
• Build relationships outside your immediate discipline; talk to colleagues in data, product, and commercial functions
• Update how you describe your skills externally; use both traditional and modern publishing language
• Stay connected to the wider industry through professional bodies, events, and peer networks
A Final Thought
Publishing is a resilient industry that has navigated technological disruption before. The professionals who have navigated it best are those who remained genuinely engaged with change rather than waiting for it to pass. The skills, roles, and expectations we have described in this series of blogs are not a temporary disruption. They represent the direction the industry is moving in.
If you would like to talk through how your current experience maps to where the market is heading, we are always happy to have that conversation. Career planning conversations are some of the most valuable we have, and there is no obligation attached to them. Reach out - the best time to think about the future is before you need to.