Social Media Manager: The Role And Duties You Need in 2023

A social media manager is an individual who manages the brand’s social media accounts on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.

The role of SM manager may be new, but the expectations of those who fill the position are anything but. In a world where more and more business is conducted online, social media managers are an integral part of any company’s marketing team.

Their is very versatile. It’s not just about posting on Facebook and tweeting on Twitter every day, it’s also about interpreting the data and spotting trends that will help your business make better decisions. In this article, we’ll go over what you need to know as a future social channel manager.

Businesses needs social presence

Social media has become a way of life. No matter what industry you’re in, it’s important to have a solid social media strategy to draw attention to your business.

Almost 59% of the world’s population uses social media. The average daily usage is 2 hours and 29 minutes (DataReportal).

In order to use it to its fullest potential, it is important for companies to have a SM manager that is in charge of all the company’s social media accounts.

But lets us cover some basic ground so you get the full picture.

What is a Social Media Manager?

A SMM is a professional who is responsible for managing an organization’s social media presence. This includes creating and managing content, monitoring and responding to comments and messages, and engaging with followers.

A social media manager also often works with other marketing and communications professionals to ensure that all of the organization’s marketing efforts are coordinated.

As social media has become an increasingly important part of marketing and communication for businesses of all sizes, the role of manager of social media has become more prevalent. Many organizations now have someone on staff whose sole responsibility is managing their social media accounts.

What the Responsibilities of a Social Media Manager?

Here are the responsibilities of a social media manager:

Strategy and Planning

• Develop and implement a comprehensive social media strategy aligned with the company’s overall marketing goals and objectives.
• Conduct audience research to understand the target audience’s preferences, interests, and behaviors.
• Identify the most relevant social media platforms for reaching the target audience.
• Set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals for social media campaigns.
• Create and maintain a consistent brand voice and tone across all social media channels.

Content Creation

• Develop and publish engaging and shareable content that resonates with the target audience.
• Create a variety of content formats, including text posts, images, videos, infographics, and live streams.
• Curate content from other sources to add value and reach a wider audience.
• Schedule posts to ensure consistent and timely delivery.
• Monitor social media trends and adapt content accordingly.

Community Engagement

• Build a strong and engaged community around the brand by actively interacting with followers.
• Respond promptly to comments, questions, and messages.
• Address customer concerns and resolve issues in a timely and professional manner.
• Moderate online conversations and manage negative feedback.
• Encourage user-generated content to foster a sense of community and brand advocacy.

Campaign Management

• Develop and execute social media campaigns to achieve specific marketing goals.
• Utilize social media advertising platforms to reach a wider audience and drive targeted traffic.
• Track the performance of social media campaigns using analytics tools.
• Identify and analyze trends and insights to improve future campaigns.

Analytics and Reporting

• Regularly collect and analyze social media data to measure the effectiveness of campaigns and strategies.
• Track key metrics such as engagement rates, follower growth, website traffic, and conversion rates.
• Create informative and actionable reports to share with stakeholders.
• Use data-driven insights to optimize social media strategies and improve ROI.

Collaboration and Communication

• Collaborate with other departments, such as marketing, sales, and customer service, to align social media efforts with overall business goals.
• Communicate social media strategies and initiatives to stakeholders.
• Stay informed about industry trends and emerging social media platforms.
• Continuously educate and update team members on social media best practices.

What Should be the Social Media Manager Skills and Qualifications?

Becasue Social media managers are responsible for creating and managing a company’s social media presence. They need a variety of skills and qualifications to be successful in this role.

Here are the top 10 most important social media manager skills and qualifications:

1. Excellent communication skills: Social media managers need to be able to communicate effectively with their audience, which includes writing engaging content, responding to comments and questions, and handling customer service issues. They should also be able to communicate well with internal stakeholders, such as the marketing team and the executive team.

2. Strong content creation skills: Social media managers need to be able to create high-quality content that is relevant to their audience. This includes writing blog posts, creating videos, taking photos, and designing graphics. They should also be able to curate content from other sources.

3. Knowledge of social media platforms: Social media managers need to be familiar with all the major social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. They should know how to use each platform to reach their target audience and achieve their marketing goals.

4. Social media analytics skills: Social media managers need to know how to collect and analyze data from social media platforms. This data can help them to track the performance of their campaigns, measure their social media ROI, and make data-driven decisions.

5. Marketing and PR expertise: Social media managers should have a basic understanding of marketing and public relations principles. This will help them to develop effective social media strategies and to position their company in the online marketplace.

6. Creativity and innovation: Social media is always evolving, and social media managers need to be able to keep up with the latest trends. They should be creative and innovative in their approach to social media, and they should be able to come up with fresh ideas for engaging content and campaigns.

7. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills: Social media managers need to be able to identify problems and develop solutions. They should be able to analyze data to identify areas where their social media campaigns are not performing well, and they should be able to develop strategies to improve the performance of their campaigns.

8. Adaptability and flexibility: The social media landscape is constantly changing, and social media managers need to be able to adapt to the changes. They should be flexible and willing to try new things, and they should be able to pivot their strategies as needed.

9. Strong teamwork and collaboration skills: Social media managers often work with a team of people, including other marketers, designers, and developers. They need to be able to work effectively with others, share ideas, and collaborate to achieve common goals.

10. Passion for social media: Social media managers should be passionate about social media and the opportunities it presents for businesses. They should be excited to use social media to connect with customers, build relationships, and grow their brand.

In addition to these skills and qualifications, social media managers should also be familiar with the following tools and technologies:

• Social media management platforms: These platforms help social media managers to schedule posts, manage multiple accounts, and track their progress. Popular platforms include Hootsuite, Sprout Social, and Buffer.
• Social media listening tools: These tools help social media managers to monitor mentions of their brand and their competitors. Popular platforms include Brand24, Mention, and BuzzSumo.
• Social media analytics tools: These tools help social media managers to track the performance of their campaigns and to measure their ROI. Popular platforms include Google Analytics and Socialbakers.

Social media managers are in high demand, and there are many opportunities for career growth in this field. If you are interested in becoming a social media manager, I recommend that you start by developing the skills and qualifications listed above. You should also be sure to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in social media marketing. With hard work and dedication, you can have a successful career as a social media manager.

Tips on How to be an Effective Social Media Manager

Are you a Social Media Manager looking to up your game? Here are some tips to help you become an effective manager of social media:

1. Know your audience. The first step to effective social media management is understanding who your audience is and what they want to see from you. Take some time to research your target demographic and tailor your content accordingly.

2. Be consistent. Consistency is key when it comes to social media management. Make sure you post regularly and stick to a schedule. This will help keep your followers engaged and coming back for more.

3. Be responsive. In today’s social media-driven world, customers expect brands to be responsive. If someone leaves a comment or asks a question, make sure you reply in a timely manner. This shows that you care about your customers and are willing to engage with them.

4. Create share-worthy content. Last but not least, remember that the content you create is what will ultimately make or break your social media presence. So make sure it’s something worth sharing! Aim for quality over quantity and create content that is truly valuable to your audience.

By following these tips, you can become an effective social media manager and take your brand’s online presence to the next level!

Career Paths and Advancement Opportunities

As you gain experience in this role, you may have the opportunity to lead larger projects or oversee a team of social media specialists. With further advancement, you could become a director of social media or even a chief marketing officer.

Salary and Job Outlook of a Social Media Manager

A SM manager’s salary can vary greatly depending the location, on their experience and the size of the company they are working for.

The US Salary Range for a Social Media Manager:

The average salary for a social media manager in the United States is around $64,845 per year, according to ZipRecruiter. However, the salary range can vary significantly depending on experience, location, and industry. Here’s a breakdown of the salary range based on experience:

• Entry-level social media manager: $40,000-$50,000 per year
• Mid-level social media manager: $50,000-$70,000 per year
• Senior social media manager: $70,000-$90,000 per year
• Lead social media manager: $90,000-$120,000 per year

Factors Influencing Salary

The salary of a social media manager is influenced by several factors, including:

• Experience: More experienced social media managers typically command higher salaries.
• Location: Social media managers in larger cities with higher costs of living often earn more than those in smaller towns.
• Industry: Social media managers working in competitive industries like technology or finance tend to earn higher salaries.

The Cyprus Salary Range for a Social Media Manager:

According to PayScale, the average salary for a social media manager in Cyprus is €17,000 – €24,000 per year, with the median salary being €20,500. This range is relatively low compared to other countries in Europe, such as the United Kingdom and Germany, where the average salary for a social media manager is £28,000 – £40,000 and €40,000 – €60,000, respectively.

However, the cost of living in Cyprus is also lower than in many other European countries, so the salary-to-cost-of-living ratio is more favorable for social media managers in Cyprus. For example, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Cyprus is €500 – €1,000, while the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in London is £1,000 – £2,000.

Here is a breakdown of the average salary for social media managers in Cyprus by experience level:

• Entry-level: €17,000
• Mid-level: €20,000
• Senior: €24,000

The salary for a social media manager in Cyprus can also vary depending on the size of the company they work for. Social media managers at larger companies typically earn more than those at smaller companies.

Here are some of the factors that can affect the salary of a social media manager in Cyprus:

• Experience: More experienced social media managers typically earn more than less experienced professionals.
• Skills: Social media managers with specialized skills, such as data analytics or video editing, can command higher salaries.
• Awards and recognition: Social media managers who have won awards or recognition for their work may be able to negotiate higher salaries.
• Performance: Social media managers who consistently exceed expectations can expect to receive raises or bonuses.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for social media managers in Cyprus is expected to be strong in the coming years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in the US, projects that employment of social media managers is expected to grow 21% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is being driven by the increasing use of social media by businesses of all sizes to connect with customers, promote products and services, and build brand awareness.

Social media managers play a crucial role in the digital marketing landscape, and their salaries are commensurate with their importance. With the growing demand for social media expertise, social media managers have a bright career outlook.

Pros and Cons to Being a Social Media Manager

There are pros and cons to being a manager of social media.

Pros of Being a Social Media Manager

• Control over Brand Perception: Social media managers play a crucial role in shaping the public image of their company. They can carefully curate content, interact with customers, and address concerns to ensure the brand’s presence aligns with its desired reputation.
• Customer Engagement and Community Building: Social media provides a direct line of communication between businesses and their customers. Social media managers can foster meaningful interactions, address customer queries promptly, and build a loyal community around the brand.
• Analytics-driven Decision Making: Social media platforms offer a wealth of data, allowing social media managers to track engagement, identify trends, and measure the effectiveness of their campaigns. This data-driven approach enables informed decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Creative Expression and Storytelling: Social media offers a canvas for creativity and storytelling, allowing social media managers to develop engaging content that captures attention and resonates with target audiences.
• Industry Insights and Networking Opportunities: Social media managers stay abreast of the latest trends, emerging platforms, and industry developments, providing valuable insights for their organizations. They also connect with peers and industry experts, expanding their professional network.

Cons of Being a Social Media Manager

• Long Working Hours and Constant Engagement: Social media demands constant attention and engagement. Social media managers frequently work beyond standard hours to monitor trends, respond to comments, and develop innovative content.
• High-pressure Environment and Performance-driven Expectations: Social media managers bear the responsibility of maintaining brand reputation, driving engagement, and achieving measurable results. This can lead to high-pressure situations and the stress of meeting expectations.
• Content Creation and Diversification Challenges: Generating fresh, engaging, and relevant content that resonates with diverse audiences can be challenging. Social media managers must constantly adapt to evolving trends and platform algorithms.
• Negative Feedback and Crisis Management: Social media can amplify negative feedback, putting social media managers in the role of crisis managers. They must address criticism promptly, maintain transparency, and mitigate damage to the brand’s reputation.
• Evolving Technologies and Platform Changes: The social media landscape is constantly evolving, with new platforms, features, and algorithms emerging regularly. Social media managers must stay abreast of these changes to ensure effective strategies and adapt to new trends.

Conclusion

A social media manager’s role is to oversee a company’s or organisation‘s social media accounts and ensure that the content being put out is timely, accurate, and in line with the organisation’s overall goals and objectives.

Additionally, manager of social media are responsible for engaging with followers and fans, monitoring feedback and comments, and responding to inquiries in a prompt and professional manner.

While the job of a manager of social media may seem daunting, it can be an extremely rewarding position that allows you to directly impact how a company or organisation is perceived by the public.

Mentioned tools: Brand24, Mention, and BuzzSumo