What is a social media manager?

‍Introduction‍

In today's digital world, the role of a social media manager is more crucial than ever. Social media isn't just for sharing cute cat videos or vacation snaps; it's a powerful tool that can drive business growth, boost brand awareness, and foster customer engagement.

Whether you're a business owner, a marketer, or a CEO, understanding the value of social media can be a game-changer in any industry. In this post, we'll define what a social media manager does, explore why they are essential, and show why you need to hire one for your team. 

What is a social media manager?

‍A social media manager is a professional responsible for creating, curating, and managing content across various social media channels to promote a brand, grow a social media following, and engage with customers to build a community.

Social media managers are the creatives behind those compelling posts that keep you scrolling on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. They understand best channel practices, create content like no other, and stay on top of trends to ensure your social brand presence is not just active, but thriving. From scheduling posts to engaging with followers, they juggle multiple tasks to build a loyal community that drives sustainable brand growth.

Why is a social media manager important?

Social media managers are more important than ever. But how exactly do they benefit your business? Here are just a handful of reasons why you should hire a social media manager:

Boosts brand awareness: In a world where billions are on social media, having a strong social presence is non-negotiable. A social media manager ensures your brand stands out by consistently posting engaging content on your target audience’s favorite channels.

Drives traffic and sales: A social media manager not only entertains your audience on social media but also directs them to your website. There, they can learn more about your products or services and make purchases.

Enhanced customer engagement: Engagement is crucial on social media. Social media managers respond quickly to comments, messages, and reviews to build a positive, direct relationship between your brand and your customers. This is important as engaged customers are more likely to become loyal advocates.

Provides valuable insights: Social media managers track your key metrics to measure performance. They keep you informed about what's working and what's not. This helps you make data-driven decisions based on what your audience loves, needs, and dislikes.

Saves time and resources: Managing social media is a full-time job. By hiring a social media manager, you free up your time, resources, and energy. Now you can focus on other important aspects of your business while knowing your social brand presence is taken care off. 

What does a social media manager do?

We hear you think, “That’s great and all, but what does a social media manager actually do day-to-day?”. Here's a peek into their daily work and tasks:‍‍

Strategizing: They work together with your marketing team to create a social media strategy that is aligned with your business goals. Read our blog on “How to create a winning social media strategy?” for more details.

‍Content Creation: Social media managers develop content tailored to your content strategy, the best channel formats, and current trends. They use copywriting techniques and visual design principles to communicate your message in the best way possible.

Posting Content: They consistently publish posts across your channels, using scheduling tools while ensuring optimal posting times and best channel practices. 

Community Engagement: Social media managers actively interact with your target audience and their content to boost engagement and grow your social community.

Monitoring Interactions: They keep an eye on audience interactions to ensure your brand stays active and responds quickly on all channels.

Tracking Analytics: Social media managers track your key metrics to understand what works and what doesn’t, using the channel's own analytics insights or third-party tools like FLICK. 

‍‍Reporting Performance: They work with marketers to update your team with reports on growth, engagement, and other key metrics for achieving your business goals through social media marketing.

Skills every social media manager should have

To excel as a social media manager, you'll need a blend of creativity and analytical expertise. Here are the key skills every aspiring social media manager should master:

Best channel practices: Become an expert in major social media channels like LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. Understanding each platform's unique features and best practices is crucial for any social media manager.

Writing skills: Get good at crafting captivating posts and catchy captions. Good writing is essential for a social media manager to maintain an engaging social media presence.

Camera skills: Develop your skills in shooting high-quality videos and photos. Great visuals are essential for grabbing attention and engaging your audience, making this a vital skill for any social media manager.

Visual design: Gain a basic understanding of design principles to create visually appealing content. Even if you're not a graphic designer, knowing how to make your posts look good is a must for any great social media manager.

Editing excellence: Ensure all content is polished, error-free, and professional. This includes proofreading for grammar, spelling, and overall coherence, which is critical for a social media manager.

Trend awareness: Stay updated on current events and social media trends. The digital landscape is always changing, and being able to adapt quickly is key for a social media manager to stay relevant.

Analytical drive: Get familiar with social media analytics tools to track performance and understand what content works best. This data-driven approach helps a social media manager refine strategies together with a marketer for optimal performance.

What is the return in investment (ROI) of a social media manager?

Hiring a skilled social media manager is worth the investment for businesses aiming to thrive in today's digital world. Beyond mere post handling, they are pivotal in shaping a brand's social presence and driving business growth. While some business owners can be hesitant to invest in social media, it is essential for a smoother sales process. Once your social media channels are set up for success, it is the sales pitch that keeps on giving.

When short-term sales activation and social media brand-building join forces, the results can be transformative. Think about it: you can pour money into short-term sales tactics, but you'll end up starting from scratch each time. With a social media manager on board, you're building something lasting—a strong social brand presence with countless content pieces that keep working for you, maximizing the return on investment. Read our blog on “What is the Return On Investment (ROI) of Social Media Marketing?” for more details.

The difference between a social media manager and a social media marketer?

Social media managers and social media marketers, while closely related, are different. Social media managers focus on the day-to-day operations of maintaining a social brand presence. This includes creating and scheduling posts, responding to comments and messages, and engaging with followers to foster a community around the brand. It’s about ensuring that the social media channels are active, responsive, and aligned with the brand’s voice to grow a social following.‍

‍On the other hand, social media marketers are like premium social media managers. They have the skills of a social media manager and marketer combined, making them more strategic and campaign-oriented. They are involved with developing and executing marketing strategies to promote your business, drive traffic through SEO optimized content, and achieve specific business goals such as lead generation or sales conversions.

Social media marketers leverage organic content and targeted advertising to reach new audiences, grow a social following, and achieve specific business goals. Read our blog on “What is Social Media Marketing?” for more details.‍

In essence, social media managers keep your channels running smoothly, while social media marketers drive the channel's traffic toward achieving your business goals.

A social media manager is a must-have for any business

In conclusion, a social media manager is not just a nice-to-have; they are a must-have for any business aiming to thrive in today's digital world. If you want to grow your brand, engage your audience, and drive business growth, investing in a skilled social media manager is a step you can't skip.

Need help with your social media? Contact us.

Struggling to keep up with social media? Does posting consistently, engaging with your audience, and tracking performance feel overwhelming? Are you running out of ideas or don't have the time to create content yourself?

Let us grow your social media channels so you can focus on growing your business. Contact us to outsource your social media management today.