In today’s world, social media is super important for brands to talk to their customers. If they want people to know about them, interact with them, or keep coming back, they need to be on social media. And the folks who run those social media accounts? They’re called social media managers, and they’re like the superheroes of the internet.
If you’re curious about social media and want to be one of these superheroes, you’re in luck! Even if you’ve never done it before, don’t worry!
I’ll guide you through what you need to learn, where to find jobs, and how to impress clients. So, get excited because you’re about to become a social media pro!
Table of Contents
Social media managers are like the online cheerleaders for brands. They handle various tasks to engage audiences and promote brand growth. Here’s a breakdown of what they do:
Listening: They pay attention to audience needs and perceptions by monitoring conversations on social media. They also manage the brand’s online reputation.
Influencing: They establish brand authority by creating and sharing valuable content across social platforms, aiming to shape positive brand perceptions.
Networking: They connect with influential figures and brands to expand the brand’s reach and enhance its reputation.
Selling: For eCommerce businesses, they use platforms like Instagram and Facebook to convert interest into leads and customers, driving business growth.
Daily Tasks: They handle day-to-day activities like scheduling posts, creating graphics, responding to inquiries, curating content, optimizing profiles, and reporting metrics.
To be effective in the role of a social media manager, there are several essential skills you need to develop:
Copywriting: Writing well is vital for sharing your brand’s message effectively. You’ll need to create concise and engaging content that resonates with your audience.
Graphic Design: Creating visually appealing graphics is crucial for grabbing attention and keeping your audience engaged.
Customer Service: Strong customer service skills help you address inquiries and feedback from your audience promptly and effectively.
Research Skills: Staying updated on social media trends and industry news is essential for crafting successful strategies and seizing new opportunities.
To become a social media manager, you can follow a structured path that includes education, experience, and skill development. Here’s what you need to do:
Step 1: Acquire Knowledge in Social Media Marketing
To succeed in this role, it’s essential to not only build skills but also grasp the workings of various social media platforms. Let’s break down what you need to know.
Getting good at managing paid promotions and organic outreach is vital for a social media manager. Paid ads offer a great chance for businesses to connect with their target audience, grow their customer base, and get a good return on investment. So, be sure you know how to run effective paid campaigns.
Don’t overlook search engine optimization (SEO)! Social media platforms work like search engines themselves. Knowing how to do keyword research and structure your content will help you reach a highly relevant audience.
Now, let’s look at the main platforms you’ll need to master:
- Facebook: With over 2.5 billion users, Facebook is a social media giant. It’s a top marketing tool for businesses. Making business pages, joining groups, and running paid ads are key ways to engage with your audience here.
- Instagram: Instagram lets users share captivating images and short videos with comments. Almost half of its users follow at least one business, making it a hot spot for discovering brands and products.
- LinkedIn: LinkedIn is for professionals. Users focus on business, networking, and consuming high-value content like blog posts and thought leadership articles. It attracts older users in high-level positions.
- Twitter: Though not as big as Facebook or Instagram, Twitter is still valuable for marketing. It’s popular among millennials and is another place people go to learn about brands.
- Pinterest: Pinterest is an image-based platform that’s like a search engine. People use it to explore interests, hobbies, and find products. Its largest demographic is women with higher incomes, and it offers a good return on investment.
Remember, each platform has its own audience and content preferences. Knowing these details will help you tailor your strategies effectively.
Step 2: Develop Your Managerial Skills
To become a social media manager, you need to master some soft skills, including:
- Communication: You need to convey your strategy and tactics clearly to achieve goals. Clear communication with clients and your team builds better relationships and ensures smooth projects.
- Time Management: Running a successful social media strategy requires excellent time management. You must plan and execute campaigns while juggling multiple projects. Make sure you know how to develop processes and use tools to keep everything in order.
- Analytical Skills: Whether it’s paid or organic campaigns, analytical skills are crucial. A social media manager is good at reading the numbers to understand what works and what doesn’t, making informed adjustments for better campaigns.
Step 3: Master Social Media Marketing Tools
Handling multiple social media accounts can be tough, but there are tools out there to make it easier. Let’s check out some popular ones:
- Buffer: Buffer is great for scheduling posts across all your social media platforms. Its simple dashboard lets you plan and manage content from one place. Plus, it offers analytics to track your account’s performance.
- Hootsuite: Hootsuite streamlines managing multiple campaigns. Instead of handling each account separately, you can oversee them all from one dashboard. Schedule posts, collaborate with your team, and track messages effortlessly.
- Sendible: Sendible is perfect for managing numerous client accounts. Schedule posts across platforms and organize everything neatly. You can even create an editorial calendar for blogs and stay on top of brand mentions.
- Canva: Canva helps you create eye-catching visuals for your social media. Its user-friendly interface and thousands of design elements make it accessible to everyone. With pre-made templates, crafting high-quality graphics is a breeze—and it’s free!
Step 4: Establish Your Presence On Social Media
To become a great social media manager, start by using your own social media profiles to improve your skills. They’re not just for personal use – they’re also a way to attract potential clients.
Make sure you’re visible online. Show off your social media skills to people who might hire you. Whether you want to freelance or work for a company, create profiles on all the major platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Your personal accounts are a great place to try out new ideas. Experiment with different strategies before using them for clients. This helps you get better at what you do and feel more confident when working with clients.
Step 5. Gain Some Hands-on Experience
If you’re passionate about social media and eager to pursue a rewarding career as a social media manager, you’ll need to gain some hands-on experience first.
One of the best ways is to become a a social media freelancer.
As a freelancer, you have the freedom to find your own clients and offer services that align with your interests and talents. The best part? You get to enjoy the flexibility of setting your own schedule and working from anywhere you please.
There are plenty of freelance platforms available that can help you connect with potential clients, including:
- Upwork: Upwork is a widely recognized platform where freelancers from various industries can find gigs. It offers a vast range of job opportunities, including social media management, content creation, and marketing.
- Freelancer: Freelancer is another popular platform that brings together freelancers and clients across different fields. You can create a profile, showcase your skills, and bid on social media projects that align with your expertise.
- PeoplePerHour: PeoplePerHour is a freelance marketplace that allows you to offer your services and connect with clients looking for social media specialists. You can set your own hourly rates, create a portfolio, and collaborate with clients directly.
Step 6. Define Your Services
As a social media manager, it’s important to define the services you offer and determine how much to charge for your work.
To start, focus on a few key services. This helps you become an expert faster and makes it easier to attract clients.
Here are some popular services to specialize in:
Paid Advertising Campaigns: As a specialist in this field, your role involves crafting strategic campaigns, crafting engaging ad content, and fine-tuning campaigns to get the best return on investment (ROI). By mastering this service, you can support companies in reaching their marketing objectives and attracting high-quality leads.
Graphic Design: With expertise in graphic design, you can craft visually stunning content such as logos, banners, infographics, and social media posts. Striking visuals not only enhance engagement but also contribute to establishing a memorable brand identity.
Optimizing Profiles: This includes writing compelling bios, choosing suitable profile and cover photos, and fine-tuning content for each platform. A well-optimized profile can attract more followers, increase visibility, and drive traffic to the company’s website.
Customer Service and Community Engagement: As a social media manager, you usually have to interact with your clients’ audience and deliver outstanding customer service across their social media channels. Timely responses to inquiries, comments, and messages can help your clients cultivate a loyal and content customer base.
Content Creation: This means writing catchy captions, blogs, and articles, and finding and sharing top-notch content from trusted sources. Awesome content can make more people know about a brand, bring more visitors to a website, and encourage audience interaction.
Step 7: Build Your Client Portfolio
You’ve got some clients as a social media manager, and now you want more. One way to attract new clients is by building a portfolio that highlights your work and proves your value.
Start by making a website that explains what you do. Get your own domain name to make your business look more professional.
On your website, write detailed stories about your past projects. Talk about what you did, what problems you solved, and what results you got. The more success stories you have, the better.
As you get more clients, put their logos on your site and ask for testimonials. This helps show potential clients what you can do.
If you don’t have any clients yet, don’t worry. You can still get started.
- Offer your services for free to a non-profit or a friend. This gives you experience and something to put in your portfolio.
- Or offer your services at a discount to your first few clients. This helps you get started and build your reputation.
Building a portfolio takes time, but it’s important. By showing what you can do and getting your first clients, you’ll be on your way to growing your business.
Step 8: Apply For Social Media Manager Jobs
Now that you’ve acquired the skills and some hands-on experience, it’s time to find a social media manager job. It’s within reach if you follow these steps:
Search Online Job Boards: Use websites like Indeed, Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter, and Google for Jobs to find job openings in social media management.
Leverage Your Network: Ask friends, family, and professional contacts if they know of any job opportunities. Personal connections can be a big help in landing interviews.
Consider the Value of a College Degree: While not always necessary, having a degree in marketing, communications, or business can increase your chances. But don’t worry if you don’t have one – experience and skills matter too.
Get Certified: Stand out by earning certifications in social media marketing. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and tools like Hootsuite offer courses to boost your expertise.
Remember, landing a social media manager job is about highlighting your skills, experience, and enthusiasm for the role. With some dedication, networking, and a bit of self-promotion, you can land the job you’ve been dreaming of.
Final Words
Social media management offers an exciting career path for those passionate about digital marketing.
To become a social media manager, you need to be familiar with various social media platforms and tools. In most cases, you’ll need a skill set of copywriting, design, research, time management, and communication.
As you build up your personal brand on social media with first-hand experience, you’ll start to attract clients on job boards. Don’t be afraid to reach out to some big names in online marketing when the time is right.
Show the companies your expertise and a portfolio of client testimonials you’ve accumulated from freelancing social media tasks. Bosses love to hire people who can work right away!
As social media’s influence grows, there are ample opportunities for digital marketers. Just keep refining skills and staying updated on industry trends
Anthony Smith is an internet entrepreneur. He created the Side Hustle Ideas Database to help people find side hustles for making extra money, with the potential of turning into a full-time income.
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a business degree, he gained business experience at a consulting firm. At the same time, he tried various side hustles including freelance writing, blogging, and eCommerce. He managed to turn his side hustles into a full-time business, earning over $3 million. Now, he enjoys financial freedom and travels around the world as a digital nomad.