A Step-by-Step Guide to Starting Your Career as a Social Media Manager

Are you passionate about social media and love engaging with people online? Consider a career as a Social Media Manager! Social media has become an integral part of modern communications, and businesses across industries need skilled professionals to manage their online presence.

Using social media for personal use is very different from using it for work, and it requires a lot of skills, including crisis and risk management, stakeholder relations, public relations, and analytics.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you start your career as a Social Media Manager.

Step 1: Get a Degree in Communications or Marketing

Effective social media management requires more than just experience using social media. The most successful professionals have degrees in marketing, communications, design, PR, or similar fields, as well as experience and ongoing learning.

A degree in communications or marketing can give you a solid foundation to start your career as a Social Media Manager. You can enrol in undergraduate programs in communications, marketing, public relations, or journalism to gain knowledge of communications and marketing concepts and principles. Some universities also offer graduate programs for those seeking advanced degrees.

Managing social media is not just a “fun” job; it involves managing people’s livelihoods and can make or break a company. It is important to be committed to your clients and focused on their success.

If you prefer online learning, consider taking online communications or marketing courses that provide a flexible schedule and a cost-effective alternative to traditional education.

Step 2: Gain Relevant Social Media Experience

There are many tools for social media management, and automating tasks can be helpful in this fast-paced industry. If you are serious about making social media management your career, it is important to do all the training offered by the various platforms, play around with different platforms to see where your talents lie, and grow your community and knowledge. You can also join social media clubs and participate in networking events to meet other professionals in the field.

Having relevant work experience is critical to becoming a successful Social Media Manager. Consider seeking internships, entry-level jobs, or volunteer work to gain hands-on experience in social media management. You can also join social media clubs and participate in networking events to meet other professionals in the field.

Step 3: Develop Your Social Media Skills

Skills that entry-level social media managers should have include basic Google analytics, knowledge of social media platforms, graphic design skills, video editing, copywriting, marketing theory, and campaign tactics. You should be proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, have a good eye for design, and possess strong copywriting skills. Attention to detail and the ability to use formulas in Excel are also important. Being an expert on TikTok and Reels is necessary, as is a well-designed resume that includes detailed, accomplishment-oriented bullet points.

Hiring managers tend to look at applicants’ social media presence and may be impressed by a personal website built using a platform like Wix or Square Space. In interviews, applicants should be prepared to answer questions about why they want to work for a particular company, how they could improve the company’s social media presence, and their thoughts on current trends in social media, such as NFTs.

Step 4: Build Your Social Media Network

Networking is an essential part of any career, and social media is no exception. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and connect with social media professionals on social media platforms to build your network. Your network can provide valuable resources and opportunities for career advancement.

Step 5: Find Your First Social Media Management Job

Entry-level positions in social media management require a portfolio of work, and freelancing is typically for those who already have experience. Having experience and a strong portfolio is important to show success in social media management. Take a chance and reach out to local businesses with ideas and suggestions. This can be more effective than competing with many applicants online.

Employers are actively seeking social media managers, as social media is crucial to marketing plans. Platforms like LinkedIn jobs, social media forums, recruitment websites, and manpower recruitment agencies are great places to search for job opportunities.

Landing your first social media management job can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can succeed.

Specialisations

Social Media Management offers several specialisations, such as:

Social Media Strategy
Community Management
Content Creation
Paid Social Media Advertising

Important Things To Note Before Starting Your Career In Social Media Management

The responsibilities of a social media manager vary wildly, from solely posting some funny pictures and doing some light web care to being fully responsible for aligning all social output with an SME company’s business objectives. Social media marketing is much more than posting pictures and requires professional knowledge and strategy.
Content creation is important, but understanding the different social media channels and nuances that different businesses would benefit from is equally important. You should be able to put strategies together for different channels.
Experiment and try new ways to grow a personal niche Instagram or TikTok account. This can provide hands-on experience and a foot in the door when meeting potential clients.
When starting out, it is important to think from the viewpoint of skills you already possess and determine what kind of service can be offered.

Expected Social Media Management Salary Range

Social media management can be a high-paying job, but it depends on the area you go into. For instance, social media managers for government organizations can make a lot of money.

Conclusion

Overall, social media management requires a strategic approach that considers the client’s business goals and objectives, audience engagement, and content creation. A strong understanding of marketing tools, industry research, and SMART targets can lead to a successful social media campaign.

Before starting, it’s important to ask the client what they hope to achieve from social media and what their overall business goals are. This will help in setting SMART targets for the plan.

Social Media Management is a dynamic and exciting profession that offers a wide range of opportunities and career paths. With the right education, skills, and network, you can succeed in this exciting field.