What Does a Social Media Manager ACTUALLY Do? Social Media Management for Beginners

TL;DR

Learn what a social media manager does and how to start.

Transcript

Hey there, Latasha here. I started my freelance social media management business sometime around 2014. It all stemmed from a job posted actually ended up being on Upwork. It was a blog grading gig, and over time it turned into a freelance social media copywriting position. Couple years go by a couple of day jobs get acquired and that little hustle ... Read More

Key Insights

• Social media management roles vary widely, so aspiring managers should research dream companies and understand their specific requirements and skills.
• Developing a social media strategy is crucial, including determining the right platforms, understanding the target audience, and setting goals and KPIs.
• Content creation involves original, repurposed, and curated content. Managers should use tools like Canva and Headliner for effective content production.
• Engagement is key to social media success, requiring both inbound and outbound interactions to boost visibility and foster community connections.
• Social media managers must optimize and set up platforms, ensuring profiles are branded correctly and equipped with necessary analytics tools like Google Analytics.
• Regular reporting on analytics helps track success and inform future strategies, allowing managers to communicate value to clients effectively.
• Freelancers need to handle additional tasks such as lead generation, client meetings, invoicing, and potentially hiring help.
• Choosing the right scheduling tools is personal; options like CoSchedule and native platform schedulers can assist in managing content calendars.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the primary role of a social media manager?

The primary role of a social media manager is to develop and execute a social media strategy that aligns with a business's goals. This includes choosing the right platforms, creating and publishing content, engaging with the audience, and analyzing performance metrics to optimize and report on the success of social media efforts.

Q: Why is content strategy important in social media management?

Content strategy is crucial because it guides the types of content to be created and shared, ensuring they resonate with the target audience and align with business goals. A well-defined strategy helps in maintaining consistency, building brand identity, and achieving desired outcomes like increased engagement, brand awareness, or conversions.

Q: How can a social media manager optimize existing platforms?

A social media manager can optimize existing platforms by auditing profiles to ensure they are on-brand and up-to-date, setting up necessary analytics tools, and ensuring all relevant information, such as contact details and hours of operation, is accurate. This optimization helps in improving user experience and enhancing the effectiveness of social media efforts.

Q: What are the different types of content a social media manager might create?

A social media manager might create original content, such as photos and videos, repurpose existing content like blog posts or webinars, and curate content from other sources. This diverse approach ensures a steady stream of engaging material that can be tailored to different platforms and audience preferences.

Q: What tools are recommended for social media content creation?

Recommended tools for social media content creation include Canva for design and editing, Headliner for creating audio snippets, and various scheduling tools like CoSchedule for planning and posting content. These tools help streamline the content creation process and ensure high-quality outputs across different platforms.

Q: How does engagement impact social media success?

Engagement impacts social media success by increasing visibility and fostering community interaction, which can enhance brand loyalty and awareness. Active engagement, both inbound and outbound, signals to algorithms that content is valuable, potentially boosting its reach and impact across social media platforms.

Q: Why is reporting important for a social media manager?

Reporting is important because it allows social media managers to track performance, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions to improve strategies. Regular reports provide clients or managers with insights into the effectiveness of social media efforts, demonstrating value and justifying investments in social media activities.

Q: What additional tasks might a freelance social media manager handle?

A freelance social media manager might handle tasks such as lead generation, client meetings, invoicing, and potentially hiring additional help. These responsibilities are crucial for running a successful freelance business, ensuring client satisfaction, and managing the operational aspects of delivering social media services.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Latasha shares her journey from a freelance social media copywriter to a successful social media management business owner, highlighting the diverse roles of social media managers.

• A social media manager's role involves strategy development, platform optimization, content creation, engagement, and analytics reporting for business growth.

• Latasha provides practical advice on starting a social media management career, emphasizing the importance of understanding client needs and utilizing effective tools and strategies.