How to become a Social Media Manager

Are you in the know when it comes to social media trends and marketing? Do you love tracking what’s happening on Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp and Viber? Always have your phone in your hand, your laptop open and one eye on the TV?

What is a Social Media Manager?

A social media manager uses a wide variety social media platforms to manage the communication between an organisation and their customers, telling them about news, products and ideas. To make this happen you would create strategies for your social media platforms and campaigns and provide instructions to your team or clients about them.

Social media managers are usually responsible for updating social media sites on a regular basis through blogs, social media posts, commenting and creating any other content that will appeal to their target audience. Aside from social media applications, social media managers also use web tracking tools to monitor the number and type of users of their social media platforms. They use search engine optimization tools to analyse data and find ways to bring more users to their websites.

As a social media manager you would need keep yourself up to date with the latest social media trends and technologies by joining conferences and forums relevant to your industry, niche or company.

If you want to pursue a career as a social media manager, you would need to have great communication, time management and multitasking skills as well as a solid background in marketing and tracking social media trends. You would also need to have the creativity to write effective online content and some experience working with graphic design and digital editing software.

Hours & Conditions:

Social media managers usually work a standard number of hours every week but this could include evenings and weekends depending on the type of social media, or industry you are working with. Your work environment would vary depending on your client and role. You may work from home or be employed in an office. You may also be required to visit clients at their offices.

How to become a Social Media Manager: Qualifications

To become a social media manager you would need a VET qualification in marketing, advertising or communications. If you want to improve your employment prospects, it could help if you have a degree in journalism, marketing, digital marketing, communications or commerce with a major in marketing. You will need to gain your senior secondary school certificate if you want to get into these courses. English and mathematics would be appropriate subjects to study before you enter university.

Marketing graduates may be eligible for membership of the Australian Marketing Institute www.ami.org.au or the Australian Market and Social Research Society www.amsrs.com.au

To look at courses that will help you find a role as a social media manager, check out
https://www.careerhq.com.au/careers-database

The job outlook for social media managers is projected to have strong growth with employment expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations.

Advertising, promotions and marketing will remain essential functions of an organisation and more marketing is focused on online channels, from websites to all forms of mobile and social media. This trend will continue to create many opportunities for employment for social media managers.

https://careerhq.com.au/careers-database/job_details/454/social-media-manager

With digital marketing becoming the new norm in business, learning how to become a Social Media Manager might be just the way to kick start your career.