Who's a Social Media Manager?
Do you spend a lot of time on social media? Are Instagram, Twitter and Facebook your go-to apps? Do you enjoy posting and figuring out what your followers would enjoy? If so, consider becoming a social media manager!
As a social media manager, you will put all of these skills into helping individuals and brands build a great social media presence! You will be involved in creating posts, strategising campaigns, analysing your audience’s requirements, etc. Basically, you will be running a social media account and get paid for it!
However, there is more to it. You will also manage social campaign ads, post and comment on other relevant pages and blogs, engage in conversations with users, respond to queries and feedback, increase your brand’s presence online, and build a network of influencers to add more value to your brand. Interested in pursuing a career in the field of social media? Read on to know more!
What will you do?
Where will you work?
How do you get there?
What skills would you need?
Communication Skills
It’s harder than ever to get people’s attention, what with so much information being thrown at them. But, people cannot resist a good story. Every good marketing campaign has a story to tell their customers and relate to them on an emotional level. Marketers who tell great stories through their marketing campaigns are always in great demand.
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Technical Skills
You will be frequently using accounting software and other financial tools as many CAs need to work with technology to analyse data and prepare financial reports. build this skill
Analytical and Data Skills
You will receive huge amounts of data from your client. This data will have to be analysed effectively so you can find ways that will help your client reach their customers is the best way possible. While it is true that the more data you analyse, the more insights you generate; analytical thinking will help you narrow down your search and find your key actionable items, thus saving you a lot of time and resources.
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Creative Skills
As a marketer, you need to get people hooked on your brand. This requires you to come up with fun, entertaining, and exceptional ways to engage your audience. There is a lot of competition in the market, and the only way to be on top is by constantly doing something new and innovative.
build this skillAdaptability
As a marketer, you will deal with different types of customers. You could be working with a manufacturing company that sells paper to businesses, or a company that sells chips to the masses. Your skill will be measured by how you deal with different consumers.
Time Management
The best - and worst - part about marketing is that there is never a dull moment. But this also means that there is NEVER A DULL MOMENT. Be prepared to be working on several tasks at once. That means that there are times when you will have to put certain projects on the backburner. You will have to know how to prioritise so that you don’t lose out on any opportunities.
How do you make it to the top ranks?
Social Media Executive
You can get a job in social media as soon as you finish your graduation. At the entry-level, you do not require much experience as you might only be required to do basic tasks like analysing the social media data, posting some updates with the assistance of your seniors, and creating reports.
Social Media Senior Executive
After your initial experience, which can last up to two to three years, you are involved in the creation of content across social media channels beyond just Facebook and Twitter. You get the hold of running contests as well as managing, optimising and executing various social media campaigns for the business.
Social Media Specialist
As a social media specialist, you not only assist executives with their work but also run social media ads and generate more leads for the business from your activities. You can also be given the responsibility of account management, which requires you to handle the social media of one or more clients and make a record of their day-to-day social activity.
Social Media Manager
This is the highest post you can achieve. It takes the experience of almost six to ten years to finally get here and have a whole team working under you. Your job is to mostly manage their work and make day-to-day plans for them to execute. Additionally, you are also responsible for creating the social media strategy and working towards goal fulfilment.
Pursuing your career locally VS abroad
The social media field is relatively new in India and thus there are no specific degrees for it. Since the work of a social media manager is similar to that of a public relations specialist, many students choose to pursue a degree in communications, followed by a post-graduation in PR. However, there are many ways to go about the same. Bachelor of Mass Media is a three-year graduation course, which is one of the most preferred options for social media aspirants. The cost of this course ranges from INR 5,000 to INR 8,00,000 depending on your choice of college. Additionally, there are social media certifications you can opt for either after your graduation or later in your career such as Hubspot and Hootsuite certifications.
A social media manager’s job mainly involves the creation of content. Thus, it is a little difficult to look for a job abroad with an Indian degree, mostly because countries like the US and UK often look for native English speaking candidates. However, you can pursue advertising, public relations, business, media or journalism degrees abroad and then move on to a specialisation in digital marketing or social media either through a certification course or online classes. If you have studied here and wish to apply abroad, you might have to pass some competitive exams like NPAT, DSAT, and PESSAT at the undergraduate level and CAT, CMAT, and SNAP at the post-graduate level. You could even work with international clients by working with top marketing and digital agencies in India, thus building your network and reputation in order to apply for jobs abroad.
How much would you get paid?
Your salary completely depends on your experience, location, organisation and various other factors. However, we can give you a general idea of how much you could make as a social media manager.
What are your career options?
Social Media Development
Social media enthusiasts with a degree in computer science, software engineering, or web design can choose a career in social media development. A social media developer works in the technical management of the organisation’s social media channels, handling responsibilities like programming, content uploads, and reporting of daily trends. You will create and develop various social media applications in order to engage your target audience and enhance their social experience.
Social Media Marketing
Social media marketing involves the use of social media platforms and websites to promote a product or service. With the boom in digital, content, and e-mail marketing, social media marketing is relatively new but is growing steadily. If you have a degree in marketing or communications, pursue this career. Choose to specialise in digital marketing followed by a certification in social media marketing. It is the most preferred and lucrative option in the field as every organisation wants to capitalise on the power of social media to boost sales.
Online Writing/Editing
Social media professionals with a flair for writing can also choose a career solely in online writing and/or editing. This career requires a bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or any other related course, followed by a certification course in creative writing. You must be proficient with spelling, grammar, and communication skills and must know how to write content across different social media platforms as well as the basics of Word processing, email, and other content management systems.
Graphic Online Designing
Similar to the profile of online writers, online designers only work on the graphic design aspect of social media posts. This career requires a bachelor’s degree in communications or a related course, followed by a certification in design. From logos, to banners, to posts, to ads, you must be adept at creating visuals for all kinds of social media activities across all digital platforms through various software, especially Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
Online Video Production
Social media video producers create, test and optimise videos for social media activity, especially Instagram and Snapchat. Most producers have a bachelor’s degree in some form of media or computer science course followed by several years of work experience in an occupation related to motion picture, TV, or other video production. You must be proficient with software like Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom & Premier with technical expertise regarding video editing and social posting.
Social Media Strategy
Social media strategists are social media experts, responsible for planning, developing and implementing the company’s overall social media strategy. Your main task is to support and improve the company’s online presence through various digital marketing efforts. You will work with social media managers to devise social media strategies and ensure that the content on social platforms enables them to achieve marketing targets. You will also work with social media writers and designers to ensure that the content is informative and appealing while collaborating with marketing and product development teams to create a social buzz regarding new product launches.
Search Engine Optimisation
SEO professionals can also work in social media by analysing how the organisation’s social media activities affect the traffic on the website. You will require certification in SEO, which can be procured through an online programme, followed by knowledge and expertise of social media. You will be responsible for optimising the organisation’s social media profiles, optimising the site for social sharing, occasionally posting updates, and improving the quality of social updates.
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