Find the best Social Media Marketing jobs

What does a Social Media Marketer do?

Social media specialists focus on content marketing, or marketing that does not explicitly advertise a brand, but does build awareness and interest in products and services. This involves producing attractive visuals, videos, written copy, and more that fit the promotion goals for various social networks.

Successful social media managers have excellent marketing skills and use this expertise to create, coordinate, schedule posts across social platforms in such a way that all content complements each other and also the brand. Social media accounts should also reflect a deep understanding of the company’s target audiences to be able to tailor content to this group, as well as draw new potential clients.

Social media marketing managers also must use analytics tools to measure the success of marketing efforts on an ongoing basis.

What skills do I need to become a Social Media Marketer?

Social media skills essential for the job include knowledge of:

• Demographics of social media platforms, as well as the best strategies for targeting each via social media posts
• Graphic design fundamentals for improved content creation
• Analytics and SEO tools
• Social media management tools, like Sprout Social and Hootsuite to schedule posts and track social media metrics
• Digital marketing skills and the ability to identify and reach target audiences
• Excellent copywriting and communication skills, both for writing posts and responding to audiences
• Public relations and how to preserve a brand’s good reputation

What are the core Social Media Marketer job responsibilities?

Job descriptions for social media marketing specialists tend to ask for candidates to:

• Craft and post engaging content for social media channels
• Design and produce high-quality media content
• Track news and current trends, and curate content accordingly
• Use SEO research to identity the best hashtags to help audiences find a brand’s content
• Process social media data, including tracking metrics and KPIs
• Develop strategies for driving and increasing online traffic based on market research
• Coordinate cross-promotional campaigns with influencers
• Engage with followers via messages and other responses to social media posts

Should I get a Social Media Marketer degree or certification?

For social media marketers, the most powerful way to showcase skills comes is a portfolio with samples of your social media design work experience. In addition—and especially for entry-level social media marketers—clients will also likely look at demonstrable success with your own social media channels. But as with any industry, having an educational background in marketing, such as through a college degree or even taking marketing courses, can only strengthen your profile.

Job postings for social media marketers often seek individuals with bachelor’s degrees in subject areas like marketing and communications.

Bootcamps like General Assembly and the Digital Marketing Institute also offer social media marketing specializations.

Finally, you can also improve the specific skills that are essential for social media work through online courses in photography, graphic design, video shooting and editing, and even web development.