what is a social media manager?
A social media manager manages and creates content for a company or individual's social media accounts. You use social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn to build brand awareness, engage with followers, and ultimately drive traffic and sales.
On a day-to-day basis, you are responsible for creating social media posts, responding to comments and messages, analysing data to determine what's working and what isn't, and working with other members of a marketing team to develop strategies and campaigns. In addition to being creative and having strong communication skills, you also have a good understanding of analytics and are able to use tools to track engagement and analyse trends.
Ultimately, the goal of a social media manager is to build a strong online presence for their company or individual clients. By creating engaging content, interacting with followers, and developing effective social media strategies, you help to build a loyal following and drive business success.
Does this sound like a role that would suit you? If so, keep reading to find out what skills and competencies can help you thrive as a social media manager.
find your jobaverage salary of a social media manager
According to Payscale, the average salary of a social media manager is approximately ₹313,000 per year. This median falls between the lower end of the scale at ₹149,000 and the higher end at ₹770,000. Your pay as a social media manager can be increased through bonuses and commissions. For the highest earners in the field of social media, the average annual income can be as high ₹ 10,00,000.
factors that affect social media manager's pay
Experience plays a substantial role in determining your salary as a social media manager. If you are just starting your career, expect to make less than someone who has been in the field for several years. As you gain more experience and develop a good track record, your salary will likely increase.
The size of the company you work for can also affect your salary. Larger companies may offer higher salaries and more opportunities for advancement, while smaller companies may offer more flexibility and a more varied range of responsibilities but lack the capacity for advancement.
Some industries are known for having higher salaries for social media managers due to the highly visual nature of the content. Other industries, such as non-profits, may have lower salaries but offer the opportunity to work on meaningful projects.
types of social media manager
There are many different paths you can take in your career as a social media manager. Depending on your interests, skills, and experience, you may choose to specialise in one or more of the following areas:
- content creator: as a content creator, you are responsible for creating engaging and visually appealing content for your client's social media channels. This may include writing copy, designing graphics, and taking photos or videos.
- community manager: you are responsible for engaging with your client's followers and building relationships with customers and fans. You respond to comments and messages, host social media events, and monitor the overall responses for each channel.
- analytics specialist: as an analytics specialist, you use various tools and techniques to track the performance of your client's social media channels and campaigns. You analyse data, conduct research, and make data-driven decisions to improve results.
- social media strategist: you work closely with your employer or clients to develop effective social media strategies that align with their goals and objectives. This part of the job involves conducting research, analysing data, and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices.
- influencer manager: as an influencer manager, you work with social media influencers to promote your employer's brands and products. You identify and reach out to influencers, negotiate contracts, and manage relationships with influencers over time.
working as a social media manager
Being a social media manager requires creativity, excellent communication skills, and a good eye for design. You attract an audience's attention to your employer or client's brand with carefully crafted social media content.
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social media manager job description
The specific duties of a social media manager include:
- creating and curating content: one of your primary responsibilities is to create and curate engaging content for your client's social media channels by writing copy, designing graphics, and taking photos or videos.
- managing social media accounts: you are responsible for managing your client's social media accounts, including posting updates, responding to comments and messages, and monitoring the overall performance of each channel.
- developing social media strategies: you work with your clients to develop effective social media strategies that align with their goals and objectives. You achieve this by conducting research and using your knowledge of the latest trends and best practices to determine what will work.
- analysing performance: to stay on top of the performance of your employer or client's social media performance, you use various tools and techniques. These tools help you identify successful strategies and make data-driven decisions to improve results.
- engaging with followers: as the voice of your client's brand on social media, you are responsible for engaging with followers, answering questions, and building relationships with customers and fans.
- collaborating with other teams: you work closely with other members of your client's marketing teams, as well as external partners like influencers and agencies, to ensure that social media is integrated into broader marketing efforts.
- staying up-to-date with trends: as a social media manager, an essential part of your job is keeping up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in social media. You may attend conferences, read industry publications, and network with other social media professionals.
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work environment
Your environment as a social media manager can be quite varied. Remote working is fairly common in this profession, meaning it is possible to work from home in some cases. If you are not working remotely, your environment will likely be a typical office arrangement, potentially working alongside other social media personnel.
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who are your colleagues?
Social media management falls under the umbrella of sales and marketing. Your colleagues as a social media manager may include marketing executives, marketing managers, project managers, sales consultants, sales executives, sales representatives, content writers and other marketing-related staff. You also work alongside people more directly related to social media, such as social media strategists.
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work schedule
The role of a social media manager is typically full-time, meaning between 40 and 48 hours per week. The role requires flexibility with your time, as a social media presence is not strictly limited to business hours, especially when your employer or client has followers in other time zones.
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job outlook
The power of social media as a marketing tool has become more and more apparent, not just for celebrities and influencers but for regular businesses. The awareness of the importance of a social media presence is driving a growing demand for the profession. Success as a social media manager can lead to more senior positions, such as digital marketing roles and communications manager roles.
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advantages of finding a social media manager job through randstad
Finding your social media manager job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid on a monthly basis
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a social media manager is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too!
education and skills
Some of the academic qualifications for social media managers include:
- bachelor's degree: there are no standardised requirements when it comes to education for this profession. However, many employers will only hire a social media manager with a degree, preferably in communications or a related subject.
- experience: experience is essential when applying to become a social media manager. Your experience can come from working as part of a social media team, but being able to demonstrate that you have successfully run or managed a popular social media account may be enough.
social media manager skills and competencies
Some of the qualities of a social media manager include:
- creativity: social media is all about standing out and catching people's attention. You are creative and innovative in your approach, developing unique and visually appealing content. You use humour or emotion to connect with followers and think outside the box when it comes to social media campaigns.
- communication skills: as the voice of your client's brands on social media, you are an excellent communicator. You have strong writing skills and the ability to craft compelling copy and captions. You also respond to comments and messages in a professional and engaging manner.
- strategic thinking: social media is an important part of a broader marketing strategy, and you work strategically to align your social media efforts with your client's goals and objectives. You may develop campaigns around product launches or seasonal events, or partner with influencers to reach new audiences.
- relationship building: you work to build relationships with followers and customers by connecting with people and building trust over time. You respond to comments and messages, host social media events, and engage with followers in a genuine and authentic way.
FAQs about working as a social media manager
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of social media manager.
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what does a social media manager do?
Social media managers develop and execute strategies to increase the following of a client or employer on social media platforms. You create content in a variety of styles, such as text, image, and video.
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how much does a social media manager earn?
The average salary of a social media manager in India is approximately ₹313,000 per year, though the average climbs to ₹770,000 per year for more experienced social media managers.
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how can I become a social media manager?
There is no single path to becoming a social media manager. However, two things should be considered major advantages: a degree in a relevant field and experience working in social media.
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what skills does a social media manager need?
Managing social media is fundamentally a matter of communication. To succeed in this profession, you have excellent communication skills. You also strategise on the best way to achieve the goals of your client or employer.
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is social media manager a stressful job?
The work of a social media manager can be quite stressful, as it involves working with many online platforms—often alone—and the schedule can be erratic. However, it can still be a very enjoyable profession for those who enjoy using social media.
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how do I apply for a social media manager vacancy?
Applying for a social media manager job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here!
