The following article discusses the career path of Social Media Manager. Learn about how to become one, education requirements, job duties, traits and qualities, national salary outlook as well as top national employers of Social Media Managers.
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Social Media Manager Job Duties
Social media managers are specialists who are able to communicate with the public by using platforms through which online content can be created and shared. They hold overarching responsibility for the social media accounts of their employers and ensure these accounts are used to increase the reputation of a brand.
A social media manager posts regular pieces of content, including video, text, and images, in order to encourage others to have conversations and get to know the brand. They also encourage customers to share images, texts, and other forms of media about their experiences with the brand.
A social media manager also interacts with the public and follows conversations on the internet. This makes it a very interesting job, as it is impossible to predict what others will say, particularly in relation to online content. They must monitor trending topics and hashtags, for instance, and find ways to use them as part of the brand.
Sometimes, a social media manager will also work with other staff to further promote their brand. For instance, they may bring in marketing consultants if they want to publicize an event. They must also track whether their efforts have been successful, for which they must set goals and then measure success. This means they also work with various online analytics tools.
Other job duties a social media manager include:
- Developing a corporate social media strategy and implementing it
- Monitoring all online activities across geographical areas and departments, ensuring those who use the tools follow best practice rules and guidelines
- Encouraging greater participation in social media
- Spotting opportunities where public perception can be influenced, engaging with an audience and speaking publicly about the social media strategy
Where Social Media Manager’s Work
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a social media manager is grouped under the category of public relations specialists. There were 218,910 of these specialists in May 2015.
How to Become a Social Media Manager
A social media manager must have an in-depth understanding of the various social media platforms. They must also be comfortable in using those platforms, as well as in using tools that allow for the same post to be made available across different platforms. They must also be able to understand the interests the audience, finding out what fans are currently discussing.
Social Media Manager Education Requirements
A bachelor’s degree is usually required for someone to become a social media manager. Areas such as communications, public relations, business, and journalism are particularly important. Some also complete master’s degrees in internet marketing.
Companies often look for those who have proven experience in the workplace. Hence, completing an internship is generally recommended. Those who have previous experience in public affairs or social media are in the highest demand.
Certifications are available but not mandatory. They do, however, show a willingness to keep learning and improving yourself.
Social Media Manager Traits & Qualities
The most effective have the following traits to some degree or other:
- Excellent creative skills
- Great communication skills, not just standard verbal and written, but also in line with online forms of communication. This includes using acronyms and not exceeding certain numbers of words or characters.
- Strong and fast decision making skills
- Excellent computer skills, particularly in relation to presentations, spreadsheets, email management, and Microsoft Office applications
- Leadership skills
- Being a team player but at the same time someone who can work under minimum levels of supervision
- Excellent time management skills
- Managerial skills
- Marketing skills
- Being creative
Minimum Social Media Manager Education
Bachelor’s Degree
The national average salary estimate for Social Media Manager was $50,861. This number is estimated from over 397,424 employees, users past and present job advertisements from Indeed.com. This equates to an hourly salary of $26.49 and monthly of $4,238.
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$14,000
$116,000
The following section lists Social Media Manager salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings through Indeed.com. For example, Alaska had the largest quoted salary of $163,932 while Idaho had the smallest quoted salary of $20,064.
According to Indeed.com, the following states had employers looking to hire a Social Media Manager. The quoted salary figure represents the average salary from all job postings by this employer.
| Employer Name | Location | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Cube Management Social Media Manager | New York | $186,005 |
| TechInMotion Social Media Manager | California | $126,255 |
| Real Peoples Ratings LLC Social Media Manager | Michigan | $124,850 |
| Skyline Recruiting Solutions, Inc Social Media Manager | Michigan | $117,000 |
| SKYLINE RECRUITING SOLUTIONS Social Media Manager | Michigan | $117,000 |
| Michael Page Social Media Manager | Massachusetts | $107,239 |
| Fan Ad Network Social Media Manager | California | $105,000 |
| The Creative Group Social Media Manager | Washington | $100,000 |
| Paul Smith Social Media Manager | New York | $100,000 |
| Aerotek Social Media Manager | Maryland | $96,294 |
| Robert Half Finance & Accounting Social Media Manager | New York | $92,197 |
| Beyondsoft Social Media Manager | California | $92,095 |
| 80Twenty Social Media Manager | California | $90,827 |
| Access Staffing LLC Social Media Manager | New York | $88,642 |
| Headhunter Services LLC Social Media Manager | Florida | $87,552 |
| Creative Circle Social Media Manager | Colorado | $85,667 |
| Financial Asset Management Systems Social Media Manager | New York | $85,000 |
| CyberCoders Social Media Manager | New Jersey | $82,269 |
Social Media Manager Learn More
| Career Name | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Accountant | $52,461 |
| Program Specialist | $51,759 |
| Personal Banking Manager | $51,369 |
| Public Relations Manager | $51,303 |
| Procurement Specialist | $51,075 |
| Marketing Executive | $49,187 |
| Research Associate | $46,919 |
| Communications Officer | $45,494 |
| Communication Specialist | $43,213 |
| Communications Coordinator | $42,597 |
