Look, we all love social media – it’s fun, engaging, and who wouldn’t want to sit around making TikToks and watching cat videos all day!
BUT, as you might already be learning, there is a lot more to working in social media than adding an Insta-story and scrolling the latest influencers.
It’s a rewarding field to get into but not for the faint-hearted. Let’s find out more!
What Does a Social Media Manager Do?
A significant part of being a social media manager is planning and strategy. Many big platforms work on algorithms; getting your content in front of the right people means knowing how to work with these processes.
Working in social media is a process of assessing what is and isn’t working and adapting an actionable strategy to get results.
Key duties for social media managers include (but are not limited to):
- Establishing asocial media strategy and developing brand identity.
- Administering social media accounts and posting/updating content.
- Establishing and following a content calendar.
- Creating content and optimising this for SEO.
- Community management, including responding to followers’ DMs, comments and emails.
- Finding, following, sharing, and actively growing accounts and online communities.
- Managing partnerships with influencers.
- Building, monitoring and evaluating social media campaigns, including ad budgets.
Why not check out our interview with Morgan Stein – current Design and Media Coordinator at Infinite Care – to learn more!
What Qualifications Do You Need to Become a Social Media Manager?
There are no strict qualification pathways to becoming a social media manager, but proving you know your stuff with appropriate qualifications will help.
You could pursue:
- A degree in marketing and strategic communications (which often include units on social media management).
- Vocational qualifications such as certificates and diplomas in digital media, marketing, communications and/or social media.
- Professional development courses in marketing, communications and/or social media.
More than qualifications, employers are often keen to see a proven skillset that aligns with what will be expected from you in the role.
This includes:
- Knowledge of digital media creation and production.
- Knowledge of key marketing and communication strategies for business.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Ability to work well with others.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Innovative, creative and strong initiative.
- Analytical with excellent reasoning and decision-making skills.
- Top-tier verbal communication skills.
There are also plenty of ways to get started with qualifications in this sector through digital media traineeships or apprenticeships. This pathway is the perfect way to marry on-the-job skills development alongside gaining an industry-recognised qualification.
What Steps Can You Take to Start Your Career?
Whether you choose to pursue the degree route or an alternative pathway, there are always vital steps you can take to set yourself up for success.
Here are our top recommendations to help you get started:
1. Be a lifelong learner.
No matter where you’re at on your journey to a career in social media management, this industry is constantly changing. Set yourself up for success early by committing to your professional learning.
Seek out industry-recognised short courses and certifications in digital marketing, advertising or social media management. And keep doing this!
2. Seek out work experience opportunities.
Whether it’s in your school, helping a local charity or spending some time within a local business, there are many ways to grow your knowledge and start building your skills through work experience.
Look out for opportunities, and don’t be afraid to make some happen! Got an event coming up at school? Ask if you can create some short social videos or content to promote it.
3. Grow your network and learn from others.
There are plenty of people online showcasing how they work on social media, sharing their tips and giving out free resources. Find some you connect with and whose work you align with and give them a follow. Take part in online communities and be active in the industry.
3 Tips From an Expert
This blog would not be complete without asking our resident expert on all things social media, Maddie Barwell, for her advice!
Maddie is our Social Media & Marketing Coordinator, and there’s nothing she doesn’t know about making things happen in the realm of social media. We asked her for her top three tips she’d give young people interested in working in the sector:
1. Don’t be afraid to be creative!
“Let yourself be creative and try to showcase who you really are,” says Maddie. “Social media is a place for innovation and creativity, so bring your ideas to the table.”
2. Get analytical.
“Always analyse anything you see, especially from companies, because chances are there are multiple strategies in place that got that post in your feed,” advises Maddie.
3. Build your skill base.
“There are so many resources and courses available on social media marketing,” Maddie tells us. “If you’re interested in a career in this field, do as many of those as possible to build your skill base – it will set you apart in your applications and interviews.”
Find Out More
There are plenty of ways to uncover your way forward with a career in social media management right here at Explore Careers!
Check out our Industry Profile on the sector to start with, and then explore our employer partners to see who’s who and what opportunities they offer.
