The first in a series of Blogs on new jobs that have emerged in recent years
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
WHAT DOES A SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER DO?
The job basically involves planning and developing an organisation's Social Media and general on-line presence. It is linked in with the overall marketing strategy that a company might have. In fact, the role is sometimes combined with other marketing and communications responsibilities, particularly in small and medium sized companies.
WHAT ARE THE DAY TO DAY TASKS?
- Designing engaging multi-media content for all social media platforms
- Monitoring and reporting on performance In social media platforms and using tools such as Google Analytics
- Responding to social media posts and developing discussions
- Developing and managing a company-wide social media strategy
- Educating other staff on using and promoting social media
Image courtesy of fantasista at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
WHAT ARE THE DAY TO DAY TASKS?
- Designing engaging multi-media content for all social media platforms
- Monitoring and reporting on performance on social media platforms using tools such as Google Analytics
- Responding to social media posts and developing discussions
- Developing and managing a company-wide social media strategy
- Educating other staff on using and promoting social media
WHERE ARE THE JOBS?
Opportunities are available in all sizes of companies, from large international organisations to medium sized and even small companies. For those wanting to gain experience there often voluntary opportunities within charities and small organisations
Image courtesy of KROMKRATHOG at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
WHAT SKILLS WILL I NEED?
- Strong editing and writing skills
- Creative skills for contributing new and innovative ideas
- Organisational skills
- Data analysis skills and ability to use statistics
- Customer service Skills
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
HOW DO I GET INTO THIS JOB?
As this is new role there is no real set route to get into it. A degree or an apprenticeship are both possibilities:
Apprenticeship Route
There are regularly Social Media apprenticeships available. As an apprentice, you would start off as a Social Media Assistant and with the right company you could progress to Social Media Manager. On the apprenticeship website at the time of writing (May 2017), a search for Social Media vacancies in England bought up 365 Vacancies!
Make sure you research thoroughly any companies who are advertising and that the apprenticeship vacancy offers progression to Advanced, Higher and Degree level apprenticeships
University Route
Many Social Media Managers will have a degree and some companies will require this
Useful Degrees are :
- business management
- marketing (particularly digital marketing)
- media and communications
- public relations.
HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE?
See the prospects website for more information about this job and what it involves:
See the Institute of Digital Marketing for more information including details of professional qualifications
Thanks to the excellent Prospects graduate website for some of this information