How to Become a Successful Social Media Manager | Steps, Eligibility, Courses

How to become a social media manager? A pivotal role within a company, the social media manager spearheads the content strategy and fosters engagement across diverse social platforms. Success in this position hinges on the ability to weave compelling narratives, a discerning eye for design, and a knack for dissecting audience preferences—what resonates and what doesn’t. Understanding how to be a social media manager involves mastering these skills while leveraging analytics and staying updated with the ever-evolving trends in the digital landscape.

The realm of social media has emerged as a pivotal marketing arena, offering an invaluable avenue to connect with customers while gathering insights into their preferences and sentiments. Its widespread adoption spans across industries, encompassing corporations, brands, non-profits, public figures, and various entities, thereby opening doors to multifaceted career opportunities. In this piece, we’ll delve into the core responsibilities of a social media manager, essential skill sets required for this role, courses in media management and the pathways to kickstart a career in this dynamic field, exploring how to become a social media manager and thrive in this evolving landscape.

Who is a Social Media Manager?

Social media managers typically craft strategies to boost follower counts, oversee social campaigns, generate content, analyze analytics, and engage with crucial stakeholders in a business.

The specific tasks of a social media manager often hinge on the company’s size. In larger corporations, many social media managers handle approval processes for copy or videos rather than their creation. Conversely, at smaller companies, social media managers commonly engage more in content creation.

For aspiring social media managers, typical responsibilities could encompass:

Augmenting followers and fostering engagement: Elevate a company’s profile on active social platforms by enhancing follower counts and engagement metrics. Crafting written or visual content may be part of this endeavor.

Crafting content strategies and campaigns: Creating and implementing social campaigns that align with broader marketing strategies. This could include devising both timely and evergreen content ideas or repurposing user-generated content.

Analyzing data insights: Beyond creative tasks, analyzing performance data to assess how a company’s content is faring. This could involve social listening, tracking sentiments around the brand or competitors.

Presenting metrics to stakeholders: Reporting achievements or challenges to the marketing team and company stakeholders. Highlighting follower growth, increased engagement, and successful content and campaign development may be among the key metrics.

Managing social media platforms: Depending on team size, managing and monitoring multiple social platforms. This may involve scheduling posts, observing follower responses, and engaging with comments and messages.

Ensuring brand uniformity: Ensuring a consistent brand tone and voice across all content and digital materials. Maintaining brand coherence across various materials is critical in representing the company accurately.

Eligibilities to Become a Social Media Manager

Want to know how to be a social media manager? The qualifications required to become a social media manager vary based on the employer and the specific role. However, some common eligibility criteria include:

Education: A bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field is often preferred. Some employers may also seek candidates with a degree specifically focused on digital marketing or social media management.

Experience: Relevant work experience in social media management or digital marketing is valuable. This might include internships, freelance work, or previous roles handling social media accounts.

Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills, creativity, analytical abilities, and a good understanding of social media platforms and their analytics tools are essential. Proficiency in content creation, data analysis, and knowledge of social media trends and best practices is highly beneficial.

Certifications: While not always mandatory, certifications in social media marketing or digital marketing from reputable institutions or platforms like Google, HubSpot, or Hootsuite can enhance your credentials.

Portfolio: A portfolio showcasing successful social media campaigns, content creation, or community management can significantly strengthen your candidacy. It demonstrates practical skills and your ability to achieve results in social media roles.

Social Media Manager Skills

Understanding how to become a social media manager involves honing skills. Here are some of the skills required to become a social media manager:

Writing Expertise: Beyond grammar and spelling, proficient copywriting tailored to a brand’s voice is essential. Captivating content creation is crucial to engage the target audience effectively.

Editing Skills: Ensuring error-free content and reviewing team submissions demand proficient proofreading and copy editing abilities, assuring brand safety.

Platform Proficiency: A comprehensive understanding of diverse social media platforms is vital. Knowing their unique attributes, demographics, and strengths helps manage accounts efficiently across Meta, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and TikTok.

Design Acumen: Collaborating with designers and articulating strategic choices for visual content is valuable. Having an eye for effective imagery and visual storytelling is beneficial.

Analytical Tools Mastery: Proficiency in analytics tools like Hootsuite, HubSpot, Microsoft Office, and Google Analytics aids in understanding consumer preferences and optimizing content strategies.

Adaptability: Adapting to rapid changes in social media trends and algorithms is essential. Being flexible ensures timely and innovative responses to evolving platforms.

Timeliness and Relevance: Staying updated with current events and online conversations ensures posts remain relevant and sensitive to prevailing sentiments, maintaining the brand’s reputation.

Management Abilities: Some roles may involve leading teams to achieve brand objectives. Effective management skills aid in guiding and coordinating employees to execute initiatives effectively.

How to Be a Social Media Manager

Securing a role as a social media manager often demands a blend of education and practical experience, albeit the prerequisites may vary across companies.

Craft a Relevant Background

While traditional qualifications in marketing are often preferred, they’re not always mandatory. Many social media managers showcase their expertise through having an MBA degree in media and self-study. Taking online marketing classes, attending digital bootcamps, or pursuing courses at local colleges can help build the necessary skills. Potential employers generally seek skills in content creation and management, copywriting, data analytics, customer relationship management, budgeting, technical proficiency (like Adobe Indesign, Photoshop, Microsoft Office), critical thinking, and effective written communication.

Secure an Entry-Level Role

Gaining hands-on experience in social media is pivotal before climbing up to managerial positions. If lacking experience, target entry-level positions that provide foundational knowledge in social media management. Roles such as Social Media Coordinator/Specialist, Social Media Associate, Marketing Assistant, Social Media Analyst, or Digital Content Producer are often entry points. Strengthen your resume and establish a portfolio showcasing your skills and accomplishments. If lacking a portfolio, consider online courses or projects to hone your abilities and present tangible examples of your work.

Courses to Become a Social Media Manager

There are various courses that can help pave the way toward a career as a social media manager. Here are a few worth considering:

Social Media Marketing Specialization (Coursera): Offered by Northwestern University, this specialization covers various aspects of social media marketing, including strategy creation, content development, and advertising.

Diploma in Social Media Marketing (Shaw Academy): This program focuses on the fundamentals of social media marketing, equipping students with skills in content creation, campaign management, and analytics.

Social Media Management Certificate (UCLA Extension): UCLA offers a comprehensive certificate program covering social media strategy, community management, content marketing, and analytics.

Digital Marketing Nanodegree Program (Udacity): This program provides a broader view of digital marketing, including social media marketing, SEO, content strategy, and more.

Advanced Social Media Certification Training (Simplilearn): This course delves deep into social media marketing strategies, exploring various platforms, tools, and techniques to excel in the field.

HubSpot Social Media Certification: HubSpot offers a free certification course covering social media marketing strategies, content creation, and analytics using their tools.

Before enrolling, consider your career goals, the course content, the institution’s credibility, and any hands-on experience or practical assignments offered as part of the program. Each course varies in duration, focus, and level of expertise covered.