How to Become a Successful Social Media Manager

If you want to become a rising star in the social media management world but don’t how to start, this post is just for you to become a successful social media manager.

First let’s delve into what a social media manager means and what are the responsibilities he/she must perform. 

Who is a Social Media Manger?

Social media management is a lot more than writing or posting content on social media. When you are working as a social media manager for a brand, you are responsible for curating a brand’s social networking channels. Above all, you are monitoring the progress of your social media campaigns as well as responding to comments from audience. 

Some popular social media platforms include Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and Google Plus. In some cases, they also manage social media partnerships with other brands. These online professionals also work with content creators to design shareable content such as videos or blogs. 

Other responsibilities of social media managers include:

  • Strategizing and executing digital marketing campaigns
  • Collecting and analyzing data results from those campaigns
  • Working with the design team for making memes, GIFs, and illustrations
  • Tracking which pieces of content are performing best on a brand’s social media accounts

What Skills Should a Social Media Manage Have?

Some people believe than can be a social media manager because they know everything about Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. However, that’s not true. A social media manager must understand the dynamics of every social media platform. You must be capable of recognizing and understanding how every platform’s audience engages. 

While top-notch writing and communication skills help, a good sense of humor is an added advantage. Designing and distributing content that clicks with a particular set of audience is a great asset for any social media manager. Furthermore, such a professional should also be able to prioritize their tasks including responding to audience comments, creating a social media calendar, and choosing the best platforms for a brand’s audience. 

Who will be your Boss?

If you are exploring the world of social media for the first time, you may be working for yourself. However, if you are a seasoned marketer, working for a big corporation, chances are that you’ll be reporting to the head of marketing or communications. Many marketers set up their own social media management company and have their own clients companies.

How to Enter the Social Media Marketing Industry

While it’s all about staying on top of trends and being creative, you must come up with engaging content to establish a strong online presence for a brand. Sharply-written content, smart content marketing campaigns, and identifying the best communication channels for clients are part of your job. 

Many marketers hold a degree in fields such as digital media, journalism, and public relations. But anyone can be a promising marketer if he/she learns how to create and manage a successful brand reputation on social media platforms. 

Why do Businesses Hire Social Media Managers?

If you are wondering what’s all the fuss about, here are some of the top benefits that corporations and small businesses reap with a social media manager. 

Cost-effective Marketing

Regardless of the scope and nature of a social media campaign, it is usually a lot less than a campaign designed for the print or offline media. Social media is free to join and paying for paid ads on networking networks don’t cost a fortune. Responding to user comments, posting content, and sharing information is a cost-effective way to promote a brand. 

More Reach

Since social media allows brands and companies to connect with not just local but global users, it is a great way to expand their consumer reach. 

Social media networks, such as LinkedIn and Facebook, bridge the gap between brands and consumers. Using social media platforms like Pinterest and YouTube allow you to reach niche audiences. For that reason, social media management is a must for todays’ businesses. 

When businesses incorporate the use of social media into their marketing campaigns, they align their marketing initiatives with user behavior. For instance, nearly 74% of consumers turn to social media before making any purchases. Furthermore, almost 80% of individuals seek advice through social media before buying a product. 

Improved Performance

Both businesses and marketers agree on the benefits of social media marketing for generating sales and leads. Today, organizations and companies are building their brand through online platforms. That’s why it’s not surprising to see that nearly 45% of B2B marketers earn a click through Facebook.

What Does a Social Media Manager do?

Here are some other roles and responsibilities of a social media manager.

  • Writing and scheduling posts
  • Creating social media ad campaigns
  • Responding to fans
  • Sharing content ideas with content writers, graphic designers, and other creative professions 

When you work as a community manager, your duties will depend on the budget and marketing goals of your client. 

How Much does a Social Media Manager Earn?

Marketers either work for a company as an employee or as a freelancer for consulting multiple clients. According to PayScale, an average social media manager can earn up to $49k/year. If you work in a major city such as New York, you can earn up to $57k/year.

If you are working as a consultant or own your own social media management company, the number of clients you have will decide the profits you earn. Many marketers start solo and hire virtual assistant as soon as their venture takes off.

Your earnings and profits also rely on the skills you acquire along your professional journey. Staying updated of the latest marketing trends is also crucial to work as a successful social media manger. 

Tips for Becoming a Successful Social Media Manager

1: Build a Community of Your Own: If you work as a freelancer, expand your reach through email marketing, blogging, and search engine optimization.

2: Find Clients: Getting clients is tough for amateur marketers. Rely on word of mouth promotion, referrals, and cold calling to get more clients on-board. 

3: Network: Make sure you attend conferences, networking functions, and all important industry events. Present your business card to key professionals in the industry. You should also attend networking functions, conferences and other industry events.

4: Manage Your Time: Organize, automate, and prioritize. That’s the perfect recipe for any online professional. Managing different accounts on social media channels require significant time. Get familiar with the latest automation tools and resources to automate manual tasks such as uploading and sharing of posts. 

5: Create a Social Media Calendar: Whether you are managing one or ten brands, the key is to create a social media calendar for every client. When you have an easily accessible calendar, you are always a step ahead. 

6: Prepare a High-quality Proposal: Pitch for a job with the best proposal. If you are working as a freelancer or consultant, you must take care of all aspects of your personal brand. Include details like experience, skills, your hourly/project rate, and services you are willing to provide. 

7: Use an Easy Billing System: Make it easy for your customers to pay for your services. , make it easy for customers to pay by doing recurring billing.

Expand your Skill Set

If you want to grow as a social media marketer, you must continue to expand your skill set. Today’s businesses and consumers are aware of the difference between bad and good social media practices. 

  • Here are some advanced skills that you need for working as a professional social media manager. 
  • YouTube video optimization
  • In-depth knowledge of hashtag marketing 
  • Knowledge of hashtag marketing
  • Content curation
  • Strategic thinking
  • Community building 

Do you Want to Become a Social Media Manager?

Thanks to technology, social media managers can deliver a significant amount of work through their smartphones. Although, many people attempt to explore this wonderful field, some fail because they don’t have the thirst to learn and acquire knowledge. The key is to stay updated of the latest trends in the social media world and keep a close eye on how the industry is shaping.