Looking to become a social media manager but don't know where to start? We'll cover everything you need to know, from job responsibilities and required skills to education and earning potential.
A social media manager is responsible for developing, executing, and managing a company's social media strategy. They are the ones who create and publish engaging content, monitor the brand's social media presence, and engage with followers. They also analyze data to determine what's working and what's not and make adjustments to improve the company's social media performance.
To be a successful social media manager, you need to have a good understanding of social media platforms and be able to create compelling content that resonates with your target audience. You need to be able to write well and have excellent communication skills. You also need to be organized and able to manage your time effectively, as there are often multiple tasks to juggle at once.
If you want to work from home, partner with your favorite brands and influencers, and even grow your personal brand, then becoming a social media manager might just be THE career choice for you!
As a social media manager, you'll get to be creative, social, and stay It's a super fun job that offers high earning potential and amazing opportunities to collaborate with exciting companies. So why not give it a try?
Job Description
A social media manager is responsible for managing the social media accounts of a company. This includes creating content, scheduling posts, engaging with the audience, and analyzing the performance of social media campaigns. They are also responsible for creating and implementing social media strategies that align with the company's goals and objectives. A social media manager must be able to manage multiple social media accounts, stay up-to-date with the latest social media trends, and adapt quickly to changes in the industry.
Responsibilities
A social media manager has many different jobs to do. They need to be organized and creative, and they also need to be good at working with data. Some of their main jobs include making plans for social media, creating posts, talking to people who follow the company on social media, and checking to see how well everything is working. If they do these things well, they can help the company meet its goals and make people like it more. Some common responsibilities include the following
Developing and implementing social media strategies: This involves creating a plan for how to effectively use social media to meet business goals, such as increasing brand awareness, driving website traffic, or generating leads. You will need to conduct research on the target audience, analyze competitor strategies, and identify the best platforms and tactics to achieve the desired outcomes.
Creating and curating content for social media platforms: As a social media manager, you will be responsible for creating engaging and shareable content that resonates with your target audience. This could include writing copy, designing graphics, taking photos or videos, or curating user-generated content. You will need to ensure that the content is consistent with the brand's tone and values, and meets the needs and interests of the target audience.
Scheduling and publishing social media posts: To maintain a consistent and active presence on social media, you will need to plan and schedule posts in advance using social media management tools. You will also need to ensure that the posts are published at the optimal times for maximum reach and engagement.
Monitoring social media accounts and engaging with the audience: This involves regularly checking social media platforms for comments, messages, and mentions, and responding in a timely and professional manner. You will need to build relationships with followers, answer questions, and address concerns to foster a positive and engaging community.
Analyzing the performance of social media campaigns: To measure the effectiveness of your social media efforts, you will need to track and analyze key metrics such as reach, engagement, and conversions. You will need to use analytics tools to generate reports, identify trends and insights, and make data-driven decisions to optimize future campaigns.
Managing social media advertising campaigns: As social media platforms continue to prioritize paid advertising, you may also be responsible for creating and managing social media ads. This could involve setting budgets, targeting specific audiences, creating ad content, and monitoring performance.
Collaborating with other departments within the company: Social media management often involves working closely with other departments such as marketing, PR, and customer service. You will need to communicate effectively with team members, share information and resources, and collaborate on cross-functional projects.
Staying up-to-date with the latest social media trends and best practices: Social media is constantly evolving, and as a social media manager, you will need to stay informed about the latest trends, features, and best practices. This could involve attending industry conferences, following thought leaders on social media, and participating in online forums and communities.
Skills Needed
Being a social media manager requires a lot of skills. Here are some of the most important ones you'll need to be successful:
Being able to communicate well with others is really important. You need to be able to talk to people and get your message across clearly.
You also need to be a good writer. This will help you create posts and other content that people will enjoy reading and engaging with.
Being creative is really important too. You need to be able to come up with new ideas that will make your social media accounts stand out from the rest.
Being analytical means looking at data and figuring out what's working and what's not. This will help you make better decisions about how to run your social media accounts.
You need to understand how different social media platforms work, and how they are different from each other. Knowing the algorithms will help you get the most out of each platform.
Being able to manage lots of different projects at once is really important too. You'll need to be able to prioritize your tasks and make sure everything gets done on time.
There are lots of different tools and software you'll need to use as a social media manager. You'll need to be comfortable using them and learning new ones as they come along.
Finally, you need to have really good attention to detail. This means that you're careful and thorough in everything you do, so you don't make any mistakes.
Career Options and Salary
Career options for social media managers are very diverse. Some may choose to start their own social media agency, working with various clients across different industries. Others may choose to stay in-house and work their way up to a social media director or digital marketing manager role. And freelancing is always an option for those who crave flexibility and independence.
Climbing the Corporate Ladder. Social media managers can climb the corporate ladder and move into higher-level positions within their company. This may include roles such as social media director or digital marketing manager. These roles often come with more responsibility and a higher salary.
According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a social media manager in the United States is around $50,000 annually. However, salaries can vary depending on experience, location, and the company you work for. Social media managers can earn anywhere from $35,000 to over $100,000 annually.
Starting an Agency. Starting a social media agency can be a lucrative career option for experienced social media managers. By starting an agency, you can work with multiple clients and offer various services, including social media management, content creation, and advertising. Starting an agency requires a lot of hard work and dedication, but it can be very rewarding.
The earning potential for social media agency owners varies depending on the size and success of their business. Some agencies charge a flat rate per project or campaign, while others may charge a percentage of the client's ad spend. According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual income for a social media agency owner in the United States is around $75,000, with some earning well over $100,000.
Becoming a Freelancer. Another career option for social media managers is to become a freelancer. As a freelancer, you can work with multiple clients and have more control over your schedule and workload. However, becoming a freelancer requires a lot of self-discipline and the ability to manage your time effectively.
According to Upwork, the average hourly rate for a social media manager freelancer in the United States is around $30-50, but some experienced freelancers can earn up to $100 per hour. Earning potential as a freelancer depends on factors such as experience, reputation, and the types of services offered.
Education
Education plays an important role in becoming a social media manager. While some SMM may be self-taught, having a degree in marketing, communications, or a related field can be an advantage in the job market. Many employers also prefer candidates who are social media or digital marketing certified.
There are several ways to gain the necessary education to become a social media manager.
Pursue a degree in marketing or communications from a college or university. These programs provide a strong foundation in marketing principles and often include courses in social media marketing.
Teach yourself by reading blogs, watching online tutorials, and experimenting with different social media platforms. While this approach may take longer, it can be a cost-effective way to learn and gain practical experience.
Digital marketing certification programs are available that provide comprehensive training in social media management and digital marketing. These programs typically cover various topics, including social media strategy, content creation, and analytics. Obtaining a certification can help you stand out in the job market and demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers.
If you're interested in pursuing a certification in digital marketing, our Women in Marketing certification program offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers all aspects of social media management and digital marketing. Our program is designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in the industry, and we encourage you to learn more about it here: https://www.majestyacademy.co/certificate-program
Becoming a social media manager is a great career choice that allows you to work from home, partner with your favorite brands and influencers, and even grow your own personal brand!
As a social media manager, you get to be creative, social and stay on top of the latest trends. You'll develop social media strategies, create content, and manage campaigns while engaging with your audience. It's a fun job that offers high earning potential and a chance to collaborate with exciting brands.
Is Being a Social Media Manager Your Destiny? Take This Quiz to Find Out!
Here's a short and fun quiz to help you determine if being a social media manager is the right fit for you!
Do you enjoy spending time on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter?
A. Yes
B. No
Answer: A. If you enjoy spending time on social media platforms, then being a social media manager might be the right fit for you. You'll be able to use your knowledge and skills by creating engaging content and interacting with your followers.
Are you good at coming up with creative ideas?
A. Yes
B. No
Answer: A. Being a social media manager requires a lot of creativity. If you're good at coming up with unique ideas and thinking outside the box, then you'll be able to create content that stands out from the rest.
Do you enjoy analyzing data and using it to make decisions?
A. Yes
B. No
Answer: A. Analyzing data is an important part of being a social media manager. You'll need to be able to look at metrics and figures to see how your campaigns are performing and make decisions based on that data.
Can you manage multiple projects at once and prioritize your tasks effectively?
A. Yes
B. No
Answer: A. Being a social media manager often means juggling multiple projects at once. You'll need to be able to manage your time effectively and prioritize your tasks so that everything gets done on time.
Do you have strong communication skills?
A. Yes
B. No
Answer: A. Communication is key in being a social media manager. You'll need to be able to talk to people and convey your message clearly, both in written and spoken form.
If you answered mostly "A"s, then being a social media manager might be the right fit for you! If you answered mostly "B"s, then you might want to consider a different career path.