What Does a Social Media Manager Do?

Social media managers craft and curate content, monitor social channels and analyze social media analytics to drive strategy, growth and share their brand's voice and identity. They also stay on top of trends, manage community interactions and often oversee paid social media campaigns. This role requires a mix of creativity, analytical skills and a deep understanding of various social media platforms. The hats social managers wear are ever-changing. With that in mind, we're here to share what social managers do and how to build your social media marketing career.

No longer seen as the intern’s job, social media management careers have matured alongside social platforms, and the list of skills needed to be successful has grown longer. And just as every business has different needs, a role in social media will look different for every social media manager and every company. 

Why do social roles differ from person to person? This is because of the complexity of the role itself and the wide range of tasks associated with managing a brand’s social presence. To give you an understanding of what a social media management career looks like, this blog covers:

• What the role of a social media manager entails and the skills needed to be successful.
• Types of social media jobs.
• Career tips to get started in the industry.
• Social media marketing best practices to excel in the role.

A social media manager is a marketing professional who specializes in managing and implementing social media strategies for businesses. They are responsible for creating engaging content, monitoring social media channels, analyzing performance metrics and interacting with their audience on various platforms. A social media manager is the driving force behind a brand's social media presence and helps to shape its online reputation and cultivate meaningful connections with customers.

A social media manager is responsible for developing a social media strategy and executing social campaigns. They're also responsible for developing, honing and managing a brand's voice and identity on social media. As mentioned, no two social media managers will have the same responsibilities, so no two days will look the same for a many social media managers. The role is dynamic and requires context switching, which is part of the appeal for most social media managers. However, the tasks typically executed by a social media manager include:

• Copywriting.
• Graphic design.
• Producing, shooting and editing video.
• Producing, shooting and editing photos.
• Curating content.
• Managing relationships with influencers, creators and brand ambassadors.
• Content planning.
• Content strategy is often in collaboration with a larger marketing team.
• Community management is often in collaboration with customer service and sales teams.
• Analyzing and reporting on content performance.
• Staying updated on industry trends and news.

Social media professionals often have a variety of diverse backgrounds that lead them to their roles. While a degree in marketing, communications or a related field is beneficial, practical experience and a strong understanding of social media platforms are equally important.

While most gain practical experience through internships or entry-level roles, freelance projects or building a personal social media brand are some untraditional ways that can lead to a job in social. Some social media professionals have backgrounds in more creative fields like photography while others can transition from customer service or other marketing roles.

All businesses can benefit from a social media manager, extending the role beyond industry boundaries. Whether you're interested in working for a business-to-consumer (B2C) company, business-to-business (B2B) enterprise or exploring freelance opportunities, social media management offers diverse career paths. 

With the breadth of tasks needed to succeed in social media beyond content creation and posting, like auditing and researching, brands also build social teams based on specialties. 

For example, if you’re terrific at filming and editing content, you might consider freelancing as a content creator or applying to content production roles. Other companies structure their teams based on platforms, so if you have a deep understanding of TikTok, you might be hired to solely manage a TikTok account. The opportunities in social media are endless when businesses see the potential of this marketing channel. 

Embarking on a career in social media requires strategic planning and a proactive approach. Here are some essential tips to help you get started and excel in the industry:

Build Your Professional Brand on Social

Showcase your skills and expertise by curating an impressive social media presence. Share valuable content, engage with industry influencers, and demonstrate your knowledge to establish yourself as a go-to professional.

Network On and Offline

Engage with professionals in the social media industry by attending virtual webinars or conferences, following the marketers behind your favorite brands on LinkedIn, and having coffee chats both on and offline. Building meaningful connections can open doors to exciting opportunities and help you stay updated on the latest trends.

Take Advantage of Free Courses

Leverage the abundance of online resources and free social media marketing courses available to enhance your skills. Platforms like HubSpot Academy and Google Digital Garage offer valuable courses and certifications that can bolster your credentials.

Browse Job Openings

Regularly explore job boards, company websites and their social accounts and professional networking platforms to discover social media management positions. LinkedIn, Indeed, and specialized marketing job boards, like Link in Bio from Rachel Karten, can be great places to start your search.

Stay on Top of Industry Trends

Social media is an ever-evolving landscape. Stay informed about the latest platform updates, algorithm changes and emerging trends in the industry. Subscribe to reputable blogs, follow industry leaders on social media and participate in relevant online communities to stay ahead of the curve.

Dash Social is a leading social media management software designed to streamline and optimize your social media strategy. From content planning, publishing posts and analyzing performance, Dash Social empowers social media managers to drive results efficiently. Its intuitive interface and powerful tools make it an indispensable asset for managing multiple social media platforms, analyzing data and discovering insights that help you maximize your social media ROI.

How much do social media managers make?

Social media manager salaries can vary based on experience, location and industry. On average, social media managers earn a salary range of $50,000 to $75,000 per year.

‍What skills should a social marketer have?  

Successful social media marketers possess a combination of creative, analytical, and communication skills. They should have expertise in social media platforms, content creation, community management, data analysis and staying up to date with the latest industry trends from TikTok Trends to popular Instagram Reels songs.

What are some role titles to seek out?

Social media coordinator, community manager, social media specialist, social media strategist and digital marketing manager are some common role titles associated with social media management positions.