With billions of people using popular platforms every day, our daily routine has been impacted by social media. As companies recognize the power of reach through social media, the demand for social media managers has increased, making it an attractive career option for many.
If you’re aspiring for the popular job role, this article covers all aspects of being a social manager, the core responsibilities that come with the role, how to become one, and more. Let’s start.
A social media manager job is one of them the best digital marketing careers to apply for. The influence of social media is commendable as it allows online marketers to reach large audiences in a matter of seconds. As a result, social media management has become essential as more businesses use social media to attract potential buyers.
As the name suggests, a social media manager is responsible for managing a company’s profiles on various social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and more. As a social manager, you can also work for clients including influencers, celebrities, small organizations and various startups from different industries.
In addition, working as a social media manager is one of the best remote friendly career opportunities Offer the flexibility to work from the comfort of your home or from anywhere.
Social media managers grow businesses through social networks by setting predefined goals like increasing brand exposure, customer acquisition, and more. However, this role is not exclusive to managing social media accounts, it encompasses many other aspects of the function as well.
The role of a social media manager includes managing clients’ social media platforms, interacting with audiences through comments and direct messages, and managing the company’s overall online presence. However, as mentioned earlier, the role has a lot more to it in a broader aspect.
Here are some core responsibilities of a social media manager:
- Development of social media strategies and campaigns according to the defined goals.
- Working closely with the creative team to develop graphics and content for posts.
- Track engagement on social media platforms and create performance reports.
- Analyze your competitors’ social media platforms to compare your results with them.
- Consistent alignment of social media activities with brand guidelines.
- Keep up to date with the latest social media trends, changing algorithms and news in the industry.
In addition, the main tasks also depend on the size of your company. In larger organizations, you may only need to work with the creative team and provide approvals for designs and posts.
However, if you work at a startup or a single client like an influencer or celebrity, you may find yourself having to take care of everything including setting up their social media profiles, writing posts, and scheduling more often.
Like any other job, the social media manager job has its own pros and cons that you should consider before deciding to apply.
One of the main perks of the job role is getting paid to spend time on social media. Keeping up with the latest trends could be fun if you love being on social media platforms all the time.
Additionally, being a social media manager gives you the power of creativity and storytelling with the potential to positively impact your audience. The instant boost of satisfaction while seeing engagement with your post is motivating and gives you the ability to measure your performance in real-time.
While it sounds easy and fun to become a social media manager, the job can get very stressful to keep up with the pressure of constantly evolving with the ever-changing trends, changing algorithms, and more. Social media posts go through a lot of strategy and analysis, and sometimes they fail while potentially going viral, which can be daunting at times.
Additionally, the fast pace of social media platforms requires you to be on your toes every day to keep up with the big news in the industry for timely content.
As a social media manager, you can choose a full-time job or work freelance or part-time. Corresponding wage scaleOn average, a social media manager makes about $16.19 per hour and $56,816 per year.
According to the source, entry-level social media managers make an average of $50,803 per year, while a seasoned social media marketing manager with 10-19 years of experience makes about $72,109 per year. The report also mentions key competencies such as strategic planning, digital advertising, paid media marketing, and more that positively impact the job salaries.
Social Media Management is a popular and dynamic career option with unlimited opportunities and growth. While a strong interest in social media platforms is a requirement for the position, the career requires strong analytical skills and a strategic mindset to constantly generate new ideas and remain competitive.
In addition, excellent communication and presentation skills are required to get your ideas across to the client and collaborate with your team. If being a social media manager excites you the most and sounds like one of your dream jobs, these tips might help:
1. Get a relevant degree
While a degree isn’t mandatory to become a social media manager, a degree in marketing or business could help you get the basics right and lay your ground. In addition, you will get an advantage over other candidates when you apply for the role in organizations.
2. Upskill with online courses
You can continue your education Learn the basics of social media marketing with free online courses and guides. Plus, you can take relevant courses or a full-fledged learning program on popular ed-tech platforms like Coursera, Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, and more.
3. Apply for internships
To experience what it’s like to be a social media manager, it would be helpful to first gain hands-on experience through internships, part-time jobs, and freelance work. With hands-on experience, you can acquire the necessary skills and build your portfolio.
4. Familiarize yourself with tools and platforms
Familiarize yourself with tools that can be helpful to get things done like scheduling posts, reviewing analytics, monitoring your social media engagements, and more. We have an article about them best free apps to manage your social accounts to make your work a breeze.
5. Build your online presence
Creating and maintaining your own online presence will help you explore social media platforms and practice your own strategies to see what works best. Try to post useful content with consistent planning to increase engagement and reach of your post.
As fun and exciting as the idea of being a social media manager sounds, the area is also dynamic and demanding. With skills such as strategic planning, copywriting and a curiosity to explore ever-changing social media platforms, you can successfully build expertise and rise as a social media manager over time.
