A social media manager is a professional person responsible/answerable for managing a company’s social media presence. This includes creating and scheduling content, engaging with followers, monitoring analytics, and measuring results. Social media managers also work with other departments, such as marketing and customer service, ensuring their social media strategy aligns with their overall business goals.
The Role of a Social Media Manager
The role of a social media manager has evolved over the years. In the early days of social media, managers were primarily responsible for creating and scheduling content. However, as social media has become more complex, the role of the social media manager has expanded.
Social Media Managers can report to a Social Media Director (in larger organizations). They usually work with other creative groups, such as marketing and public relations & can work with the sales department, to drive lead-generation campaigns that the sales team can convert into revenue. A Social Media Manager must keep up with new trends and company and industry news.
Today, social media managers are responsible for the following:
- Creating and scheduling content – The tips/tricks which you used to expand your reach on Facebook won’t necessarily work on Instagram. Research on what content will work for each platform, e.g., video, gif, infographic, blog, etc.
- Engaging with followers and responding to comments
- Monitoring social media analytics to track the performance of content and campaigns
- Measuring the results of social media campaigns to determine their effectiveness
- Developing/implementing social media strategies that align with the company’s overall business goals
- Working with other departments in the company, such as marketing and customer service, to ensure that the company’s social media presence is consistent.
An in-demand role, Social Media Manager positions typically require a bachelor’s degree in marketing, public relations, or similar. According to Glassdoor, Social Media Managers earn an average salary of over $46,000 in the U.S.
The Skills Needed to Be a Social Media Manager
To be a successful social media manager, you need to understand social media platforms, content marketing, and analytics. You should also be able to write clear and concise copy and have a creative eye for design. In addition, you need to be able to work independently and as part of a team and meet deadlines under pressure.
Here are some of the specific skills that a social media manager needs:
Content Creation
Content creation is developing and producing content, such as articles, blog posts, social media posts, videos, and infographics. It is an essential part of any marketing strategy, as it helps to attract and engage customers, build brand awareness, and drive sales.
To be successful in content creation, you need to understand your target audience, what they are interested in, and what kind of content they will find valuable. You also need to be able to write straightforward, concise, and engaging content that will capture their attention.
In addition to writing skills, content creators also need to have strong research skills, as they need to find and gather relevant information for their audience. They must also be creative and have a good eye for design, as they must create visually appealing content.
Community Management
Community management is a skill of building and maintaining relationships with customers and other stakeholders. It involves listening to feedback, responding to questions and concerns, and resolving issues. Community managers also play a role in promoting the brand and engaging customers in conversations.
To succeed in community management, you need to build trust and credibility with your audience. It would help if you were patient and understanding, as dealing with customer complaints can be challenging. Additionally, you need to be able to think strategically and come up with creative ways to engage customers.
Analysis and Reporting
Analysis and reporting are collecting, interpreting, and presenting data. It is an essential part of any marketing campaign, as it helps track campaigns’ performance and make informed decisions about future strategies.
Analysts and reporters need to have strong data analysis skills, as they need to interpret data and identify trends. They also need to be able to communicate their findings clearly and concisely.
Presentation and Sales
Presentation and sales are the skills to communicate a message to an audience and persuade them to take action. They are essential for businesses of all sizes, as they help generate leads, close deals, and build customer relationships.
Presenters and salespeople need to be able to speak clearly and confidently, and they need to be able to tailor their message to their audience. They also need to be able to answer questions and objections, and they need to be able to close the deal.
Client Relationship Management (CRM)
Client relationship management (CRM) manages interactions with customers and other stakeholders. It involves tracking customer data, managing customer interactions, and providing customer support. CRM is crucial for businesses, as it helps very much to improve customer satisfaction and retention.
CRM professionals need to have strong customer service skills, as they need to resolve customer issues and provide excellent customer support. They also need to be able to manage customer data and track customer interactions.
Trendspotting
Trendspotting is the process of identifying and tracking trends. It is an essential/crucial skill for businesses, as it helps to identify new opportunities and stay ahead of the competition.
Trendspotters need to be able to identify trends early on, and they need to be able to understand the implications of these trends. They also need to be able to communicate their findings to others clearly and concisely.
Project Management
Project management is the skill of planning, organizing, and overseeing the execution of a project. It is essential for businesses of all sizes, as it helps to make sure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required standards.
Project managers need to have vital planning and organizational skills, as they need to break down projects into smaller tasks and assign tasks to team members. They also need to be able to track progress and make adjustments as needed.
Marketing and Strategy
Marketing and strategy are the processes of developing and executing marketing plans. They are essential for businesses of all sizes, as they help to reach target audiences, generate leads, and close deals.
Marketers and strategists need to understand the target market, the competitive landscape, and the marketing mix. They also need to be able to develop creative and effective marketing campaigns.
These brief articles have given you a better understanding of these critical topics.
How to Become a Social Media Manager
There are a few different ways to become a social media manager. One way is to get a degree in marketing, communications, or a related field. Another way is to gain experience by working as a social media intern or volunteer. You can also learn the skills by taking online courses & completing certifications or reading books and articles on social media marketing.
If you’re really interested in becoming a social media manager, here are a few things you can do to get started:
- Learn about social media platforms: Take some time to learn about the different social media platforms and how they work.
- Create a portfolio of your work: Collect examples of your social media content and design work to create a portfolio to impress potential employers.
- Get involved in the social media community: Attend social media conferences and workshops, and connect with other social media professionals online.
- Stay up-to-date on social media trends: Read industry publications and blogs, and follow social media experts on Twitter and other social media platforms.
The Future of Social Media Management
The field of social media management is constantly evolving. As new social media platforms emerge and the way people use social media changes, social media managers need to be able to adapt and stay ahead of the competition.
In the future, social media managers will need to be even more creative and strategic in their approach to social media marketing. They will also need to be able to use data analytics to measure the results of their campaigns and make informed decisions about future campaigns/strategies to increase sales.
Conclusion
Social media has become an essential tool for all businesses. Well-managed social media presence can help businesses to connect with customers/build brand awareness/drive sales. Social media managers do play a vital role in helping businesses to achieve these goals.
If you’re interested in a career in social media management, I encourage you to start learning the skills you need today. The field constantly evolves, but the demand for skilled social media managers will only grow.
FAQs
How much do I make as a freelance social media manager?
ZipRecruiter shows that freelance social media professionals make around $25 per hour. Upwork says freelance social media manager ranges from $14-$35 per hour. Glassdoor data comes in at approximately $29 per hour.
What does a social media manager do?
Social media managers are ordinarily responsible for developing strategies to increase followers, creating and overseeing social campaigns, producing content, reviewing analytics, and communicating with key stakeholders in a company.
How can I become a social media manager with zero experience?
Yes, becoming a social media manager with no experience is possible. But earning social media certifications is a great way to hone your skills. Many courses are free. You can get certificates from Google about Creatives.
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