Social Media Manager Job Description
Are you thinking of becoming a social media manager, or do you need to hire one?
Maybe you aren't sure a social media manager is who you need to help you grow your business.
Today, we are going to explore what a social media manager does, but more importantly, what it is that makes someone a great social media manager.
A social media manager is someone who takes care of the day-to-day aka daily social media posting, engagement, and content distribution for a small business, individual, non-profit or corporation. This includes managing social media marketing campaigns as well as communication and strategy session with clients
Social media managers tasks may also include
- creation of content
- curation of content
- content planning
- email marketing
- blog management
- photography/videography
- tool management
- ad management
- community management
- training
- webinars
- speaking
- and much much more
Skills Social Media Managers Need
In a previous article, we touched on the skills social media managers need to be successful.
They include
- copywriting
- math
- creativity
- communication
- organization
- sales
- strategic and analytical thinking
But having all, or some of, those skills do not necessarily make you a great social media manager.
What does?
We set out to find the answer!
What Makes You a Good Social Media Manager?
In our Social Media Managers Facebook group, Eti Armstrong asked this question:
“What makes you a good social media manager?”
If you are a social media manager, this question should make you reflect on what you love most about your job and what tasks you do well. This question should also make you think about your skills, values, and abilities; what makes you stand out, what does attract a new client to you and your business; what makes you a good social media manager?
After we read the answers that came in after the question was posted in our Facebook group, we asked if we could share their answers. Here are some of their thoughts!
Darin Burt: “Because I don't claim to know all the answers but am always willing to learn more.”
Asia Rau: “I'm with Darin on this one, a willingness to always learn… and being really, really good at finding the perfect response gif on the fly. 
Ryne Dickens: “I think I’m a good social manager because I stay up to date with current happenings, try to be as transparent as I can be with my clients on why I’m doing certain things, and am able to ease their mind about social. Also to make them understand the importance of followers as it pertains to their target customer and not just thousands of them for a vanity metric. I also like to think I know the market we are in and can take on a voice for the brand that fits in with their customers.
Allen Marler: “I make the dankest memes and have a 
? emoji game! Plus I end every sentence in an exclamation point! 
?
?
Wanita Fourie: ” The ability to understand the brand voice and create relevant content and conversations with ‘customers'. The ability to listen to your client's needs and be the expert by managing expectations and delivering social media that aligns with the company objectives. The ability to keep calm and carry on in a crisis. The ability to stay up to date with developments and critically analyze how it will impact your business/ client business.”
Some additional commenters we wanted to highlight:
“Understanding that it’s not a 9-5 job and requires constant flexibility, evolving and growth.”
“Being genuine.”
“Listening, understanding, being patience, communicating, organization, multitasker, authenticity, lifelong learning, passion, compassion, staying consistent.”
“Ability to multitask and genuinely loving social in my personal life!
“There is only 1 answer: RESULTS ”
“My ability to hold my composure with clients and consumers.”
“Data and testing.”
“Understanding what audiences want.”
“My flexibility. I’m always learning & trying new things for clients. I also love collaborating with clients & hearing their ideas (which I heard is rare from some clients w past experience…). I also offer photography/video services + graphic design. So everything is in-house.”
“I am good at social media because I am able to get into the mindset of the target audience and speak their language, deliver interesting images and content that resonates with them.”
“I monitor channels and keywords daily and am great at building personas and targeting via ads.”
and this answer
“Understanding that social isn't magic. It's marketing through a different medium.”
which had the most ‘likes' on it!
The Great Social Media Manager Unicorn
When we read these answers, it seemed that good social media managers have a few things in common.
They
- are humble, for the most part
- work extremely hard
- continue to learn
- take pride in their work
- stay up-to-date on industry news
- love social media
- can multitask
- think logically as well as creatively
- know their limitations
However, it hard to pinpoint or create an avatar of ‘the great social media manager'. Not every social media manager is a good fit for every person, business or corporation who needs to hire a social media manager. There is no such one person called ‘the great social media manager'. Every one of us is shaped by the circumstances we encounter and the project that need to be completed. Even the best of the best eventually run into someone they can not work with, or for.
Hurray for diversity!
If you are The Great Social Media Manager Unicorn, please identify yourself!
I am a Certified Social Media Manager, Strategist, International Keynote Speaker, Organic Specialist and Agile marketer! Blogging is my creative outlet. Running, hiking and skiing are how I recharge. You'll recognize me on stage and online by my always present orange glasses, a nod to my Dutch heritage.
