What does a social media manager do?
A social media manager is responsible for overseeing a company's or an individual's social media accounts. Their main duties include creating and publishing engaging content, interacting with followers, analyzing data, and implementing social media marketing strategies.
Some specific tasks of a social media manager may include:-
- Creating and curating content for social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.
- Developing and implementing social media campaigns and strategies to reach target audiences and achieve business goals.
- Engaging with followers and responding to their comments, messages, and inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
- Monitoring social media trends, analyzing data, and adjusting strategies to improve engagement, reach, and conversions.
- Collaborating with other departments such as marketing, sales, and customer service to align social media efforts with overall business objectives.
- Managing social media budgets, negotiating contracts with influencers and other third-party vendors, and tracking expenses.
- Staying up-to-date with the latest social media platforms, tools, and best practices to ensure maximum impact and effectiveness.
How much should I pay a social media manager?
The salary of a social media manager will vary depending on location, industry, experience and skillset. In the United States, the average salary for a social media manager is around $50,000 to $70,000 per year. Freelance social media managers usually charge from $25 to $500 per hour.
How do I become a social media manager?
To become a social media manager, you can take the following steps:-
Gain social media knowledge and skills
Social media managers need to have a deep understanding of the different social media platforms and how to use them effectively. You can gain this knowledge by taking online courses, attending workshops, or by self-learning.
Start by mastering one platform first, don't try to learn all platforms at the same time.
Build a social media presence
You can showcase your social media skills by building and maintaining a strong social media presence. Start by creating and sharing content on your own social media accounts and building a following.
Gain practical experience
Gain practical experience by offering to manage social media accounts for small businesses or non-profit organizations. You can also consider volunteering your time for a local charity or organization to help build your portfolio.
Network
Attend industry events and connect with other professionals in the social media space. Building relationships with other social media managers and industry experts can help you learn more about the industry and find job opportunities.
Consider certification
While not required, becoming certified in social media management can help you stand out in the job market. Organizations like Hootsuite and Hubspot offer certification programs that can validate your skills and expertise.
Apply for social media manager jobs
Once you have the necessary skills, experience, and certification, start applying for social media manager jobs. Be sure to tailor your resume and cover letter to each job you apply for and showcase your relevant skills and experience.
What software is used for social media management?
There are many software options available for social media management, and the choice depends on your specific needs and budget. Some popular options include:-
This is one of the most popular social media management platforms available. It allows you to manage multiple social media accounts, schedule posts, monitor social media mentions and track your analytics.
This platform offers similar features to Hootsuite, including scheduling posts and tracking analytics. It also offers a unique feature called "Buffer Reply" that helps you manage social media conversations.
This platform offers a more comprehensive suite of social media management tools, including social listening, social CRM, and social analytics.
This platform focuses on social media engagement, allowing you to manage conversations and engage with your audience across multiple social media channels.
This platform specializes in Instagram scheduling and management, allowing you to schedule posts, stories, and IGTV videos in advance.
This platform offers a marketing calendar that allows you to plan and organize your social media content alongside your other marketing activities. It also offers features like social media automation and analytics.
This platform allows you to manage multiple social media accounts, schedule posts, and analyze your performance across social media channels.
This platform offers a unique feature where it categorizes and saves your content so you can easily recycle and repost it in the future. It also offers scheduling and analytics tools.
This platform offers a collaborative content planning and publishing tool for social media teams. It also offers features like post previews and analytics.
This platform offers a variety of social media management tools, including social media scheduling, monitoring, and reporting. It also offers a content library for storing and managing your social media assets.
This platform offers a comprehensive set of features for social media management, including content creation, scheduling, and publishing. It also offers social listening and analytics tools.
This is an enterprise-level social media management platform that offers a variety of tools for managing large-scale social media operations, including social listening, customer care, and social advertising.
This platform specializes in Instagram management, offering tools for planning and scheduling Instagram posts and stories. It also offers analytics tools for tracking your performance on Instagram.
This platform offers a variety of social media management tools, including scheduling and publishing, content curation, and social listening. It also offers a feature called "Pablo" for creating social media graphics.
Brandwatch is an all-in-one social media tool which lets you manage content and campaigns across social media platforms.
Why should I hire a social media manager?
If you're running a business or managing a brand, having a social media manager can be extremely beneficial for several reasons:
Saves Time
Social media management is time-consuming. By hiring a social media manager, you can free up your time to focus on other aspects of your business while they take care of creating, scheduling, and publishing content on your social media accounts.
Expertise
Social media managers have the knowledge and expertise needed to create engaging and effective social media campaigns. They can help you create a strong social media strategy that aligns with your business goals and target audience.
Consistency
Consistency is key when it comes to social media. A social media manager can ensure that your social media accounts are updated regularly with high-quality content, which helps build your brand's online presence and reputation.
Analytics
Social media managers have access to analytics tools that allow them to track the performance of your social media campaigns. They can provide you with regular reports on your social media metrics, including engagement, reach, and follower growth, and use this data to adjust your social media strategy accordingly.
Stay Up-to-Date
Social media trends and algorithms are constantly changing. A social media manager can stay up-to-date with the latest social media trends, updates, and best practices to ensure your social media presence remains relevant and effective.
Hiring a social media manager can help you save time, improve the quality and consistency of your social media content, and ultimately, help you achieve your business goals through a strong social media presence.
