So, You Want to be a Social Media Manager When You Grow Up
Hey there, future social media managers! If you're sitting and dreaming of what you want to be when you grow up, about to embark on entering college, or considering a change of career and have a passion for all things social media, this blog is exactly for you.
In this blog post, we're going to explore the exciting journey towards becoming a social media manager and strategist. Whether you're taking the college route and wondering about the right majors, classes, clubs, or internships, - or looking to do it yourself with a non-traditional education route and have no clue where to start, we've got you covered. So, grab a cup of coffee and let's dive in!
Roadmap 1 | College Route:
For those considering the college path to Social Media; we’ve compiled a short list of things to keep in mind when planning your college journey.
Discovering the Right Path:
Choosing the right major is a great way to kickstart your journey. Here are a few fields of study that can pave the way for your dream career:
Anything Communications-related: Get ready to dive deep into the art of crafting and delivering effective messages. A communications major lays a solid foundation for understanding the power of communication in the digital world.
Marketing: Want to learn how to captivate audiences and create impactful campaigns? A marketing major equips you with insights into consumer behavior, market analysis, and promotional strategies that are key in social media management. This path is usually a more analytical path than creative. Think paid ads, research, analytics, SEO, etc.
Journalism: If you have a knack for storytelling, writing, and staying up-to-date with the latest news, a journalism major can be a fantastic choice. It helps you develop skills that are invaluable when it comes to engaging your social media audience. Being a good storyteller is key for social media.
Classes that Fuel Your Passion:
While choosing your classes, consider adding these gems to your schedule:
Social Media Marketing: Dive into the nitty-gritty of social media platforms, content strategies, analytics, and advertising techniques. This course will give you the know-how to navigate the ever-changing world of social media.
Digital Marketing: Expand your horizons with courses that cover SEO, content creation, email marketing, and online advertising. The digital marketing landscape intertwines with social media, and gaining knowledge in this area will prove invaluable.
Writing and Copywriting: Sharpen your writing skills to create captivating and persuasive social media content. Learn the art of crafting concise and engaging messages that resonate with your target audience.
Clubs and Organizations that Connect You:
College is a hub of opportunities, and joining relevant clubs and organizations can enhance your journey. Here are some to consider:
Marketing or Advertising Clubs: Network with industry professionals, learn about the latest trends, and engage in exciting marketing campaigns. These clubs can broaden your perspectives and provide valuable connections.
Social Media Clubs: Connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for social media. These student-led organizations often offer support, workshops, and opportunities to gain hands-on experience.
If your school doesn’t have those clubs, make your own! Our very own Account Director, McKayla, did this very thing in College. She started the Social Media Strategists club at Kutztown University which not only created a space for like-minded creatives to come together but also showed leadership and experience on her resume.
Internships and Experiences that Shape You:
When it comes to building your resume, nothing beats hands-on experience. Here are some avenues to explore:
Social Media Internships: Seek internships with companies or agencies that have an active social media presence. You'll gain practical experience in content creation, scheduling, analytics, and community management.
Freelance Work: Take the initiative and offer your services as a social media manager to local businesses or organizations. This real-world experience allows you to build a portfolio and showcase your skills.
Personal Branding: Don't forget to manage your own social media profiles! Develop your personal brand by experimenting with different strategies. It's a fantastic way to showcase your abilities and attract potential employers.
Practical advice for finding internships:
Step 1: Create and optimize a LinkedIn profile:
Include a professional headshot, education, work experience, volunteering, extracurriculars, etc.
Connect with professionals and peers in your desired field of work.
Follow thought leaders in your field or desired field.
Step 2: Create a resume and cover letter:
Include details on your education, skills, work experience, volunteering, extracurriculars, etc.
Seek help from your university's career development center for resume and cover letter building. They can review your documents and provide valuable feedback.
Tailor your resume and cover letter for each internship application.
Step 3: Next steps to take:
Research companies you like and check for open internships. Apply accordingly.
Utilize university resources:
Many companies recruit interns through universities.
Attend job fairs held at your university.
Reach out to your advisor or professors in your major for connections or tips on landing an internship.
Apply to internships through LinkedIn and other job listing sites.
Remember, persistence and networking can also play a significant role in finding internships. Good luck in your search!
Roadmap 2 | Non-Traditional Route:
Without the structure of regimented semesters and class schedules provided by higher education, knowing where to start when taking a self-taught route can be intimidating and overwhelming to say the least. No worries (we totally get it)! Here’s some tips for how to go about gaining the knowledge and experience you need to hit the ground running.
Embrace Self-Learning:
When college isn't part of the plan, self-learning becomes your best friend. Fortunately, we live in an era with abundant resources and thought leaders at our fingertips. Here's how to make the most of them:
Online Courses: Platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and Skillshare offer a vast array of courses on social media marketing, strategy, and content creation. Invest time in these courses to gain essential knowledge and skills.
Thought Leaders: Follow influential thought leaders in the social media industry. One of our favorite inspirations is Latasha James on YouTube. Find mentors who are putting out content to support what you are trying to learn - there are SO many amazing free resources online.
Tools and Resources:
Equipping yourself with the right tools is crucial for success in the social media world. Here are some essentials to consider:
Social Media Management Platforms: Tools like Hootsuite, Later, or Sprout Social help you schedule posts, manage multiple social media accounts, and analyze performance metrics.
Design and Editing Tools: Canva, CapCut and Adobe Creative Cloud offer user-friendly platforms for creating stunning visuals and graphics to enhance your social media content.
Analytics Tools: Dive deep into data analysis with tools like Google Analytics and social media platform analytics. Understanding analytics will help you optimize your strategies and measure your success.
Gain Practical Experience:
Experience is invaluable in the realm of social media management. Here's how you can start building your expertise:
Personal Branding: Start by managing your own social media profiles effectively. Experiment with different strategies, engage with your audience, and showcase your skills. This serves as a living portfolio and demonstrates your abilities.
Volunteer for Nonprofits or Small Businesses: Offer your services pro bono or at a reduced rate to gain hands-on experience. Help manage their social media accounts and create engaging content. This practical experience will boost your confidence and expand your portfolio.
Freelancing: Consider freelancing as a social media manager. Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr provide opportunities to work with clients across various industries. Build a reputation, gather testimonials, and grow your portfolio.
Pro Tip: Work with as many different clients and businesses as you can (even if you don’t know much about the area!). Now is the time to get a feel for everything out there and hone in on what types of clients really light your spark and fuel your passion.
Building a Portfolio:
A strong portfolio is your ticket to landing your dream social media management gig. Here's how to make it shine:
Showcase Your Best Work: Include samples of your content creation, course projects, campaign strategies, and community management. Highlight the results you achieved for previous clients or your own personal brand. Canva allows you to create and host basic webpages right on their platform, so you can easily create a personal website for yourself to showcase your work and services.
Case Studies: Craft detailed case studies that demonstrate your ability to solve problems, engage audiences, and drive results. Outline your strategy, implementation, and the impact it had.
Social Proof: Gather testimonials from clients or people you have collaborated with. These testimonials add credibility and demonstrate your expertise.
Jack of all trades or Niche down?
The role of “Social Media Manager” can look vastly different from one job to another. With the world of social media continually expanding, responsibilities continue to increase as well. While all things social were once held by a SMM years ago (when they were largely teams of 1), many of these responsibilities have since broken into individual job roles. Take for example the fact that you can now find positions strictly committed to content post analysis and community engagement.
From the size of a company (think small business versus corporate) to the size of the team (one and only you to a team of creatives & strategists), your range of responsibilities will reflect the needs and resources of the company. So consider what you’re interested in and job search accordingly.
Continuing Your Journey to Success
Social Media is an ever-changing beast and the sooner you embrace this fact the better. Learning the fundamentals is just the beginning. Like many jobs, the real learning comes when you start to dig into the work and to stay up to beat with the latest and greatest trends and features, you’ll need to stay plugged in. Here’s our tips on how to just that:
Utilize Free Resources
The internet is choc-full of high value education and resource opportunities! Subscribe, listen, watch, learn, network!
Newsletters: From staying up to date with the latest industry news to finding examples of shining content that makes your heart skip a beat - newsletters are one of the best resources available to keep connected and experience a breadth of different content.
Blogs: Another golden resource to stay up to date on the latest trends, releases, and news in the industry plus a sea of how-to’s, guides, and pointers geared towards SMM’s of all levels of experience from none to tons
TikTok: Nothing better than bite sized nuggets of education gold - follow our favs and reap the benefits of their glorious experience and insight
YouTube: Don’t feel like you need to pay for online courses in order to gain valuable learning. You can gain SO education, insight, and first-hand experience from YouTube alone. We could gush on and on about the valuable gems that await on this platform but we’ll save you the time and list some of our favs below!
VIDTALK w/ Zaria Parvez, Global Social Media Manager for DUOLINGO
Any of the talks posted to Vidcon’s Youtube from their conferences - lots of good industry nuggets!
Other Resources (PDFS, Glossaries, etc.)
Congrats Social Media Manager to-be! Now it's your turn to take the plunge, learn, experiment, make mistakes (because we all do), and continue on to becoming a successful kick ass SMM. We can’t wait to see what you do!
PS: Download our FREE digital roadmap and checklist to becoming a Social Media Manager so you can map out your plan to success and start checking off those boxes, baby!