What You’ll Learn:

In this post, we’re going to be exploring:

• What training and education is needed to become a social media manager
• Tips for succeeding as a social media manager
• How working as a social media manager could be the right social media career for you

If you’re anything like the 70-plus percent of Americans that log onto social media every day, you already know that platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have become incredibly important in the world of marketing. These days, having a solid social media presence can make or break a company, which has increased both the demand for and value of a good social media manager.

Whether you’re interested in running your own social media management business one day, or have dreams of being in charge of the social media strategy for one of your favorite brands, it can be a fascinating and lucrative career path. And even though having strong social media skills is a must for your future, getting the right training and pursuing an education is equally important. 

We’re breaking down the basics of how you can turn your talent for creating content on your own social media channels into a long-term career with a bright future. From the basic tasks a social media specialist juggles on any given day to the average salary and expected education, you’ll learn everything you need to know about how to become a successful and skilled social media manager. 

What Does a Social Media Manager Do?

In the case of “social media manager,” the job title does an impressively accurate job of summarizing the main duties and responsibilities involved. A social media manager may work for a specific organization or business, or they may be employed by a marketing agency or public relations firm. Others work remotely as a freelance social media manager.

Because social media has become a necessity for nearly every company’s marketing strategy, a wide variety of businesses and brands work with social media managers. But even though working environments may differ, the primary responsibilities associated with the job generally include:

• Planning editorial calendars for potential social media content
• Publishing content on various social media channels, working with platforms specifically tailored to a brand’s target audience
• Interacting with online users to deliver a positive brand experience
• Designing social media advertising campaigns
• Analyzing content and campaign performance using relevant metrics
• Supporting the development of visual marketing and design strategies
• Creating strategies for engagement and promotion, including influencer marketing, paid advertising, and generating organic traffic
• Being aware of social media trends
• Maintaining clear and consistent brand messaging

How much does a social media manager make?

Like any role in marketing and media, the average salary for a social media manager varies depending on location, experience, and training. Industry site Sendible collected information from PayScale, Indeed, and Glassdoor to find the most accurate estimated social media manager salaries, and here’s what they found:

• Experienced social media managers can earn upwards of $97,000 or more per year, with the industry average coming to about $45,000 yearly for all experience levels
• Even as an entry-level social media manager, earnings average about $42,000 per year
• Some social media managers have access to additional benefits, like profit sharing and bonuses

There are many people who work as freelance social media managers, combining it with other skills such as copywriting and SEO. If you’re interested in building a unique career based on your personal interests and passions, the earning potential – and ability to grow – is virtually limitless.

How to Become a Social Media Manager

Plenty of people assume that as long as you know how to craft engaging content and navigate popular social media tools, you have what it takes to work as a professional social media director. But actually, if you want to be in the running for competitive social media manager positions, the right training, education, and skills will make a world of difference.

What training is needed to become a social media manager?

Even if your social media expertise is built on years of personal experience on your own channels, that’s not quite the same thing as having the skills and knowledge available via education and training. 

As an element of digital marketing, social media strategy has many layers. Understanding topics like the customer mindset, lead generation, and online analytics are all critical to succeed as a specialist in social media. Communication skills are also vital, as is the ability to creatively problem-solve and work according to a results-driven approach. 

Is it hard to become a social media manager?

Many social media managers started their careers in different roles within digital marketing, especially those that have been in the industry for quite some time. However, as more businesses establish their brands on the numerous social media platforms out there, a growing demand for experts in social media has fueled a huge amount of interest in the field.

If you are well-prepared with excellent knowledge of media strategies, trends, and tools, and possess the skills needed to support a brand’s social media marketing goals, then you can distinguish yourself from your competitors. Breaking into the industry can sometimes be a challenge, but your odds of success increase considerably when you invest in an excellent education.

Tips for a Successful Career in Social Media Management

Whether you’re in the process of applying to social media degree programs in your area, or you’ve only begun to consider working as a social media freelancer or dedicated brand specialist, these tips can help you succeed:

 

• Learn about as many social channels as possible. If you’re going to manage the needs of multiple clients, you’ll need to be able to take advantage of all the available platforms. Social media is not a one-size-fits-all strategy, so it’s important to understand how each platform offers specific benefits and purposes.

• Consider gaining some experience in graphic design. Graphic design skills aren’t necessarily required for working in social media, but they’re definitely a strength that can help you be more effective. The core purpose of social media marketing is to drive engagement, and graphics are proving to be one of the best ways to reach a large audience.

• Be prepared for lifelong learning. In the ever-evolving social media landscape, there’s always something happening in industry news. From new platforms to viral trends, you’ll never know it all – so take an enthusiastic approach to educate yourself on an ongoing basis.

 

Start a Career in Social Media with the Right Education and Training

If you want to join a thriving, fast-paced field with an outstanding potential for growth, working in social media could be a great move. But first, you’ll need to build your knowledge, experience, and skillset so that you’re ready to attract the attention of potential employers – and ace your new role once you’re hired.

At the Beonair Network of Media Schools with campuses located in Miami, Chicago, Colorado, and Ohio, we offer a broad range of courses and programs to support your career goals. In our Media Sales & Marketing program, you can dive into the art of social networking and start building real-world experience as soon as possible. 

For more information about how we can help you train to be a social media manager, reach out to our team today.

Featured Image: 13Phunkod/Shutterstock