Friday, February 19, 2016
How to ROCK this Social Media Manager Gig
Hi all!
As many of you have read, I have recently completed my eBook for The Social Media Manager Kit by Kel (yours truly) and wanted to make sure that Sweet Tea & Business focuses on making the Social Media Manager Gig you get ROCK!
Social Media Management is one of the most in-demand freelance skills today.
It may go by the name (alias) - community manager, social media content writer, brand manager, social media strategist - but many of the tasks, training and personality traits are the same a crossed the board. This field has a low barrier to entry and is often requires "on the job" training due to the diversity within the jobs.
If you have what it takes, can provide a broad skill set, and a positive, can-do attitude with willingness to learn- well MOVE over because you are likely to ROCK this Social Media Manager gig with more work than you can possibly handle.The SCOOP- What does it take to be a Social Media Manager?
First, you need to understand that you are the voice behind the social profile in many cases. You interact with the followers for the company you represent and are sharing information that gains interest. You keep tabs on the lastest news within the industry and it is your job to pass this information along to the audience to get them talking and engaging in the companies stance.
It is important for you to set realistic goals for yourself and the company. It is vital that you understand that responses to customers via email needs to be completed almost instantaneously.
We, as a society, do not like to wait!
We want our questions and/or concerns addressed ASAP. This causes us to turn to the social media channels to get our voices heard. As a Social Media Manager, you need to keep an eye out for issues that are happening directly or indirectly.
(directly= @company)
(indirectly= mentions on blog/social media/ or not directly addressing company or you personally)
Please note that this is not always the BAD mentions either, you need to acknowledge the GOOD ones also!
Within this role, you need to be aggressive in order to keep growing and getting the client's name out into the public. This is where those trending topics, hashtags, and news can get your client ahead.
It is your job to grow the community constantly!
Also, things change, almost constantly, right! Keep eyes peeled and ears opened for new platforms that might be of interest, privacy changes, ad policies and/or how competitors are connecting with their following, in order to stay ahead of the game.Going Above & Beyond- What does it take to ROCK this Social Media Manager Gig?
If you find a tactic that you know will increase engagement or conversations, it is your duty to bring it up.
Learn how to report to your client.
This position is a results-driven job.
Analytic's are a great way to track, and are available for almost every platform out there. It is vital to know where to find this information in order to provide it onto your client. This is something that I recommend doing "on paper" in order to dig further into what changes can be made and what is working based on facts!
It is also important to always be professional and consistent within this role. Followers should never know that someone outside of the client's company is behind the social media reins. And it is also important to be accountable. If things get flawed, own up to it and find a way to learn and grow from the experience.Tools of the Trade (a few of my favs to get the JOB done and ROCK it!)
For scheduling and staying on top of comments and mentions, I use Sprout Social. The reporting is amazing also.
In order to know what you are posting and when it is important to have an Editorial Calendar. This will save you time in the long run, allowing you a plan of action and giving you the expected results.
Images are everything in social marketing. I love the free tools at PicMonkey or Canva to help me with my photos and editing.
Your first "job" is going to be marketing and branding yourself. This is your first "on the job training" exercise. You can be more aggressive on your own accounts and experiment with new strategies.
Where do you get the Clients?
Well, I know this might be a shock of sorts, but Social Media is a great outlet to find potential clients. You can see who needs help, they will see how you work as well. You will be up to date on best practices from your own experimentation.
I recommend joining a few Facebook Groups that focus on Social Media Managers and ideal clients.
When you start seeing results, you can see that word spreads fast. You will see your business growing. Don't be afraid to ask for testimonials or referrals as well.
And a great way to get clients is to build a simple website. You can add the URL to your business cards and have a place to show off testimonials and your profiles.
I think that as a disclaimer, it needs to be said that this field is not for everyone. It has a set of challenges that can vary per job. You need to be accountable and willing to take risks. You need to be confident in your skill set and what you can offer.
I strongly recommend my eBook, The Social Media Manager Kit by Kel (w/ bonus) in order to get you started. It will include templates for emailing potential clients or those you landed a completed job with, it will allow you to focus and challenge you to keep moving forward. This life, working at home, being financial free and with my family, is something that I used to dream about.
Today...
- I am living it.
- I am loving it.
- I am making it my life!
Need More Help?
Check out my eBook, Make your Dream a Reality in 30 Days or Less! - a jump start guide with templates to get you ready, set and ROCKING this Social Media Manager gig!
