The rise of digital media in the 21st century has led to a profound change in how marketers reach and connect with their audiences. Social media is no longer only about staying connected with friends and family, it has transcended how we interact with brands and organizations daily.
On the other end of that appealing curated content you recently liked on Instagram, is a Social Media Manager who is responsible for creating and measuring the results of that post. If you have an interest in social media marketing, you will likely apply for this kind of position in your career.
So, what exactly does a social media manager do and what does it take to become a successful one? In this blog post, we will outline the key duties of a social media manager and the skills needed to be successful in this career path.
What is a Social Media Manager?
According to WayUp, a social media manager develops a company’s social media strategy and manages its social channels. This might include multiple channels or a select few such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube, Pinterest, and TikTok.
An effective social media manager not only knows how to create engaging content but they also have the skills to analyze the data and measure results. We like to think of social media marketing as both an art and a science.
The art and creativity come in when you are drafting copy and visuals for a social media campaign. While the science part can be seen in the evaluation and measurement processes social media managers practice.
What responsibilities come with the job?
We’ve mentioned that a social media manager is responsible for curating engaging content and analyzing the results, but what does that exactly entail? Social media marketing isn’t just limited to social media platforms, it also includes blogging, email newsletters, podcasts, and videos.
A good social media manager knows how to leverage various channels to meet specific target audiences. As someone in this profession, you would be responsible for making sure that the brand “voice” stays consistent across all platforms.
Here are a few other job requirements for a social media manager from SalesForce:
1. Research
2. Scheduling and planning
3. Developing visual content
4. Search Engine Optimization
5. Customer Service
6. Copywriting
As you can see, social media managers don’t just spend their days scrolling through social media feeds. They are always planning, creating, and monitoring.
Why is the role of a Social Media Manager important?
Social media marketing has become an integral part of businesses’ overall marketing efforts. A social media manager can reach large segments of people in seconds and in a cost-effective way.
Brands now recognize the importance of having a dedicated team or employee to manage all of their online strategic marketing efforts.
DigitalMarketing.org lists 10 reasons why social media marketing is important for businesses and brands, it allows you to:
1. Tell your brand story
2. Grow an audience with a small budget
3. Stay top of mind with people who matter the most
4. Learn about your competitors
5. Build custom audiences
6. Learn the buying patterns of your ideal customers
7. Increase your overall ROI
8. Build relationships with your target consumers
9. Increase your brand awareness
10. Promote products and services
Tips for aspiring Social Media Managers
It might seem overwhelming now to see all of the responsibilities that come with being a social media manager, but there are steps you can take to gain a better understanding of the industry today.
You can start by familiarizing yourself with the most popular social media platforms in marketing. If you don’t already have accounts on at least Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, you begin with those.
Also, start following industry experts and working professionals who share educational content on social media marketing and their experiences. There are a plethora of blogs out there that can serve as great research sources for social media marketing practices.
Take as many free online certifications as possible; HubSpot and HootSuite are just a couple of examples of great online resources that are free.
Lastly, pay attention to the kind of social media content that resonates with you and catches your eye. Not everything in content creation has to be original, marketers are often inspired by what other successful brands are doing.
In conclusion
The influence of social media marketing is continuously growing, and with that, so is the importance of having effective communicators who can manage multiple platforms.
Social media managers are expected to have a wide range of communication skills and the ability to engage specific audiences. Their actions are strategic and require careful planning to stay consistent across all branding efforts.
If you want to play a significant role in shaping your organization’s or brand’s identity, becoming a social media manager may be for you. Don’t forget that it’s an art and a science, you can have fun with it while driving results.
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