What Does a Social Media Specialist Do?
Find out what a social media specialist does, how to get this job, and what it takes to succeed as a social media specialist.
Social media specialists are responsible for creating and managing social media content. They work with a variety of different platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, etc., to create compelling content that engages their audience and encourages them to take action (e.g., buy a product, sign up for a service, etc.).
Social media specialists may also be tasked with analyzing the performance of this content—they might look at which posts got the most engagement or attention from users, what times of day these posts were most popular, etc. This information can help inform future decisions about how they should approach their job in the future.
Social Media Specialist Job Duties
Social media specialists have a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:
- Developing and implementing social media marketing campaigns including creating content, scheduling posts, measuring performance, and adjusting accordingly
- Monitoring online conversations about the company or brand, looking for new topics to write about or respond to
- Analyzing data to determine which types of content are most effective at increasing engagement
- Creating and editing content such as blogs, videos, photos, graphics, and webpages
- Creating profiles on social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn
- Promoting products or services through social channels such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn
- Managing the company’s social media presence by creating content, engaging with customers, and responding to comments or complaints
- Reviewing analytics and statistics to identify popular topics and trends within niche markets or industries
- Creating and managing the company’s presence on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube
Social Media Specialist Salary & Outlook
Social media specialists’ salaries vary depending on their level of education, years of experience, and the size and industry of the company. They may also earn additional compensation in the form of bonuses or commissions.
- Median Annual Salary: $52,500 ($25.24/hour)
- Top 10% Annual Salary: $87,500 ($42.07/hour)
The employment of social media specialists is expected to grow much faster than average over the next decade.
Social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, are becoming increasingly popular for companies to advertise their products and services. Social media specialists will be needed to help these companies understand how to use social media to their advantage.
Social Media Specialist Job Requirements
A social media specialist typically needs to have the following qualifications:
Education: Employers typically require social media specialists to have a bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications or a related field. Some employers prefer candidates who have a master’s degree in social media or a related field.
Training & Experience: Social media specialists typically receive on-the-job training to learn the specific social media platforms and strategies used by their employer. Training may last for a few days to a few months, depending on the complexity of the social media platform and the strategies used by the company.
Certifications & Licenses: While certifications are not required for social media specialist roles, they can be useful for candidates applying for jobs and for experienced professionals seeking to expand their skills and advance their careers.
Social Media Specialist Skills
Social media specialists need the following skills in order to be successful:
Creativity: Social media specialists use creativity to develop engaging content for their company’s social media accounts. They may also use creativity to develop strategies for engaging with their audience. For example, they may use creativity to create a unique hashtag that encourages audience members to share their own content with the company.
Communication: Social media specialists often work with other marketing teams, so it’s important for them to be able to communicate effectively with their colleagues. They also need to be able to communicate effectively with their clients, so they need to be able to explain complex ideas in simple terms.
Research: Social media specialists need to be able to conduct research to find the most effective strategies for their clients. They need to be able to research their audience and find the most effective ways to reach them. This may include researching the audience’s demographics, interests and behaviors.
Time management: Time management skills allow social media specialists to manage their workload and meet deadlines. They may also use time management skills to create social media campaigns that last for a specific period of time. For example, a company may ask a social media specialist to create a campaign that lasts for two weeks. The specialist would then create a calendar with specific tasks for each day and post the campaign on the social media platform.
Problem-solving: Social media specialists often use their problem-solving skills to address issues that arise on social media channels. For example, if a post on a company’s social media page receives a lot of negative comments, a social media specialist may use their problem-solving skills to address the issue and change the post to make it more appealing to users.
Social Media Specialist Work Environment
Social media specialists are responsible for creating and managing online content for their company or organization. They work with other marketing and communications staff to create a social media strategy that meets the goals of the organization. They also develop and maintain relationships with online influencers, customers, and other stakeholders. Social media specialists typically work in an office environment, but they may also work remotely. They typically work full time, but they may also work part time or on a freelance basis. Some social media specialists work odd hours, including evenings and weekends, to monitor online activity and respond to customer inquiries.
Social Media Specialist Trends
Here are three trends influencing how social media specialists work. Social media specialists will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.
The Need for More Technical Skills
As social media becomes more and more popular, businesses are starting to realize the importance of having a social media team. This is because social media can be a great way to connect with customers and build trust.
However, in order to be successful, social media teams need to have strong technical skills. This includes knowledge of platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, as well as how to use tools like Hootsuite and Buffer to manage their accounts.
More Focus on Influencer Marketing
The trend of influencer marketing is growing rapidly as businesses realize the power of word-of-mouth advertising. By partnering with influential bloggers, vloggers, and social media stars, businesses can reach a large audience and create buzz about their products or services.
Social media specialists can capitalize on this trend by developing relationships with influencers and helping them promote the products and services of their clients. In addition, social media specialists should be familiar with the latest trends in social media so that they can stay ahead of the competition.
A Greater Emphasis on Customer Service
As businesses become more reliant on social media, customer service will become even more important.
Social media specialists will need to be able to provide excellent customer service through social media channels. This means that they will need to be able to handle complaints, answer questions, and resolve issues quickly and efficiently. In addition, they will need to be able to understand the needs of their customers and provide them with what they want.
How to Become a Social Media Specialist
A social media specialist career can be a great way to use your creativity and communication skills. As a social media specialist, you’ll need to have a strong understanding of the different platforms and how they work. You’ll also need to know what types of content are best for each platform.
To become a social media specialist, it’s important to have a good knowledge of marketing and advertising. This will help you create effective campaigns that reach the right audience on social media. It’s also important to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in social media so you can keep your campaigns fresh and relevant.
Related: How to Write a Social Media Specialist Resume
Advancement Prospects
Social media specialists typically start out in entry-level positions and advance to positions of greater responsibility over time. As they gain experience, they may move up to senior positions such as social media manager or director of social media.
Those who are especially skilled at using social media to achieve business goals may be promoted to other marketing or management positions. For example, a social media specialist who is good at generating leads might be promoted to marketing manager, and a social media specialist who is good at managing a team might be promoted to social media director.
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