How to become A Social Media Manager

As marketers worldwide depend increasingly on social media to reach their target audiences, the demand for Social Media Managers, at the nerve centre of creativity and innovative ideas, is growing.

• Digital Marketer
• Marketing Executive
• Marketing Manager

What do Social Media Managers do?

A Social Media Manager would typically need to:

• Create unique and engaging social media strategies to enhance the employer’s presence on social media and improve their business
• Plan and deliver multimedia content across all relevant platforms; adapt the content to suit diverse audiences; manage and promote campaigns
• Assist customers with queries; develop discussions with the audience; form beneficial relationships with influencers; consult with editors to ensure the content is informative
• Undertake audience research; collaborate with copywriters and designers to create educational and pleasing content; monitor SEO and user engagement
• Evaluate latest trends and techniques and come up with superior tools to measure social media activity; analyse competitor activity; recommend measures for content optimisation
• Set goals to increase brand awareness and customer engagement; manage a budget for social media activities
• Assist or lead the creation of a social media marketing plan in collaboration with the marketing, sales, and product development teams
• Liaise with clients face-to-face or via telephone, email, and conference calls; upload posts on behalf of customers to their social media profiles
• Use social media to create a strong network with industry professionals and influencers; ensure all social media activities are legal and above board
• Recruit, train and manage others in the team.

Social Media Managers employed by larger organisations may need to work in the office to facilitate regular communication with the advertising and marketing departments. Some employers will allow you to work from home since the job entails a significant amount of work on a computer.

You might report to the head of communications or marketing if you work for a large company. If you work for a small entity or startup, you might report directly to the CEO. Meetings with clients and attending media events necessitate travel. Jobs in multinational companies may require you to travel abroad or take up overseas assignments.

You may often work Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. Campaign deadlines may need you to work evenings and over the weekend. The number of hours a freelancer needs to put in will depend on the needs of the clients and the kind of projects undertaken.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. Social Media Managers can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies. Full-time employment is the norm, but part-time and contract work are also options. Experience allows you to work as a freelancer too.

Social Media Managers are generally employed by:

• Public & Sector Enterprises
• Manufacturing Industry
• Finance & Insurance Companies
• Consumer Industry
• Retail Businesses
• Wholesale Industry
• Marketing Agencies
• Advertising Agencies
• Recruitment Agencies
• The Media
• Professional, Scientific & Technical Services
• Information Technology Industry
• Higher Education Institutions
• Government Agencies
• Non-Profit Organisations
• Charities

Professional associations and organisations, such as the International Marketing Association (IMA), are crucial for those interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• Tight deadlines and the need to work concurrently on multiple projects while communicating with clients, suppliers, and creative agencies in an effective manner
• The ongoing creation of original content for various channels; lack of in-house multimedia resources
• Convincing clients about the need for social media management; getting their approval for your techniques
• Developing a persuasive and authentic voice for each of the channels; tracking engagement and conversion with limited resources at hand

Establish a solid online presence and personal brand through various social media platforms to showcase relevant experience. Writing a high-quality blog and incorporating multimedia elements such as videos, images, and infographics into your content will help you gain a large following. Monitor the impact of your posts as data-driven evidence of your successful social media communication.

Demonstrate that you can use social media effectively on a professional level. Look for paid social media placement years or summer internships that can be available with large corporations. Take an advanced digital marketing apprenticeship where you can combine work with part-time academic study.

You could also inquire about job experience opportunities by contacting marketing departments of businesses, digital marketing/social media firms, and charities directly.

You will probably enter the field as a junior, assistant or secretary after significant work experience in marketing, public relations, or advertisement.

As in any career, reading as much as possible about the profession and interviewing those working in social media are other important ways to explore your interest.

A high school diploma and dedicated social media training may get you an entry-level job as a Social Media Manager. However, candidates with at least a bachelor's degree in journalism, business management, public relations, advertising, psychology, digital marketing, media & communications, and creative writing will have a better chance in the job market. Classes in mathematics, communication and marketing will prove beneficial.

Certification demonstrates a Social Media Manager’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination.

Certifications are not often essential. Still, they can offer training and a strong understanding of the channels and resources to help you remain competitive in an ever-changing field.

Social media management is a relatively new role with no set career path. Career advancement may happen in the form of movement to a larger organisation or promotion to senior management roles such as Head of Social Media and those with a broader digital communications remit.

Individuals who can navigate the digital environment should have the best opportunities as social media marketing gains momentum.

As communication channels grow and new and improved technologies emerge, it is critical to keep your skills and knowledge up to date throughout your career to provide optimal service to your clients. Joining a professional organisation will elevate your status as an industry expert, provide opportunities to attend activities, participate in mentoring programs, and gain access to webinars that keep you informed about current trends.

You may also continue your education at the postgraduate level in internet marketing, business intelligence & social media, digital & social media marketing, or social media & interactive technologies to further your knowledge and skills.

Understanding how to use social media platforms' increasingly nuanced analytical tools and comprehensive knowledge of organic and paid social media marketing strategies could help you advance.

Businesses and advertisers may use social media management software to manage, control, and analyse their social media profiles and activities.

Tools Of The Trade

Social Media Managers use Sprinklr, Hootsuite, Asana, and Olapic to schedule their posts. Google Analytics and Facebook Insights help analyse the engagement of their posts.

Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment

Freelancing Social Media Managers have more flexible work schedules and locations. They have full ownership of the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.

A full-time Social Media Manager, on the other hand, has company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety. When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.

To Succeed

Social Media Managers who are creative, have a deep insight into media trends and make optimal use of their analytical skills will have a successful career. Monitor your campaigns and make the most of testing so you have optimal results.

Social media users rose to 328 million in 2019, which amounts to 10 new users per second.

A successful Social Media Manager optimises their social intelligence to steer an online campaign towards spreading the brand’s message, identity, and services.

Practise your writing and design skills to convey your message better or promote a product.