10 Skills Every Social Media Manager Needs
So you want to be a social media manager but are not sure you’ve got what it takes? Here are the 10 skills you need to be a social media manager.
Posted last month
Written by
Alex RosonePosted last month
As social media has become such an integral part of marketing and brand development, talented social media managers have become more critical than ever. And this job is not for the faint of heart. A good social media manager is a jack of all trades. Someone unafraid to put on different hats and embrace the wide range of responsibilities necessary for effective social media management. Someone who knows what it takes to be both a social media manager and a customer support role. Someone who possesses the following 10 skills necessary for success in the role. Here are the 10 skills every social media manager needs:
Jump to a section ✨
- What is the role of a social media manager?
- What is the difference between a social media manager and a digital marketer?
- How do I become a social media manager?
- What is the average salary of a social media manager?
- What are the most in-demand social media platforms for businesses?
- How can I improve my copywriting skills for social media?
- What tools can I use to analyze social media performance?
- How do I build a strong personal brand as a social media manager?
- What are the best practices for social media customer service?
- How can I stay updated on social media trends?
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Creativity 🎨
This is a big one, people. Any social media manager worth their salt will reliably produce creative content to separate your brand from the others. They will be able to develop inventive campaigns, generate engaging content, and turn something average into something remarkable.
A truly creative social media manager can transform a brand’s narrative into captivating stories. This involves:
- Visual storytelling: Creating compelling visuals that resonate with the target audience. This includes infographics, short videos, and eye-catching images.
- Trend analysis: Identifying emerging trends and incorporating them into the content strategy in a relevant and authentic way.
- Experimentation: Willingness to try new formats, platforms, and approaches to keep the audience engaged.
- Collaboration: Working closely with designers, copywriters, and other creatives to produce exceptional content.
Proactivity 🏃♂️
A successful social media manager is a go-getter. They do not sit around and wait for success to come to them, but they go out and create it themselves. They stay on top of social media and marketing trends, keeping your brand one step ahead of the competition. The industry may be ever-changing, but a good social media manager is capable of changing with it.
A proactive social media manager is always looking for opportunities to enhance the brand’s online presence. This includes:
- Crisis management planning: Developing strategies to address potential crises before they happen.
- Competitive analysis: Regularly monitoring competitors’ activities to identify opportunities and threats.
- Audience insights: Continuously analyzing audience data to inform content and strategy adjustments.
- Automation: Implementing automation tools to streamline tasks and free up time for strategic thinking.
Copywriting ✍️
While social media managing may not appear to be a writing job, copy is at its core. Social media managers should be able to write effective, engaging copy that communicates brand values and matches brand aesthetics. They should be able to use words to captivate an audience while simultaneously delivering an important message.
Effective copywriting is essential for engaging the audience and driving conversions. Key elements include:
- Brand voice: Consistently maintaining the brand’s tone and personality across all platforms.
- Call to action (CTA): Crafting compelling CTAs that encourage desired actions.
- A/B testing: Experimenting with different copy variations to optimize performance.
- SEO optimization: Incorporating relevant keywords to improve search visibility.
Flick Tip: Looking for help with your copywriting skills when it comes to writing the perfect Instagram captions? Check out our FREE Instagram Caption Course. Plus, you’ll get access to our FREE 30-days of captions template.
Communication 🤳
Social media managers should have strong communication skills both on and off the screen. In order to connect with your audience and best promote your brand, your social media manager needs to be as good of a listener as they are a writer or a speaker. They need to interact appropriately with followers, master your brand’s voice, and apply it to your social media presence.
Strong communication skills are fundamental for social media managers. They need to be able to:
- Craft clear, concise, and engaging content that resonates with the target audience.
- Adapt their communication style to different platforms and audiences.
- Actively listen and respond to comments and messages in a timely and professional manner.
- Effectively communicate brand messaging and values.
- Collaborate seamlessly with internal and external stakeholders.
Leadership 🫡
In a role with so many different responsibilities, social media managers must be unafraid to take the lead. They should be able to manage team members, communicate ideas, become a project manager and spearhead initiatives, and make positive contributions to the brand and its culture.
Social media managers often wear many hats and may need to take on a leadership role, especially in smaller companies. This requires them to:
- Develop and implement a clear social media strategy aligned with the overall marketing goals.
- Delegate tasks effectively and motivate team members.
- Be able to inspire and guide their team to achieve social media objectives.
- Manage projects effectively and meet deadlines.
- Make data-driven decisions to optimize social media performance.
Organization 📚
Between managing calendars, developing strategies, coordinating collaborations, scheduling posts, launching campaigns, and working with other team members, social media managers must be organized and focused. This is a job with a lot of moving pieces, so the right person for the role needs to manage that effectively and efficiently. To keep everything on track, social media managers need to use Outlook Group Calendar to streamline scheduling and ensure seamless coordination among team members.
Staying organized is crucial for social media managers who juggle multiple tasks and deadlines. Here are some key organizational skills:
- Planning and scheduling: Create a content calendar, plan social media posts in advance, and schedule them using relevant scheduling tools.
- Prioritization: Focus on important tasks first and manage time effectively.
- Content management: Organize content assets, such as images, videos, and copy, in a central location for easy access.
- Community management: Systematize the process for responding to comments and messages to ensure timely responses.
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Design 👨🎨
Social media management is almost equal parts writing and design, so a social media manager needs to have a keen eye. They should be able to produce graphics and visual content that align with the brand’s aesthetic and attract customers while also serving marketing initiatives.
Visuals are a powerful tool for storytelling and engagement on social media. Here’s what social media managers need to know about design:
- Basic design principles: Understanding layout, color theory, and typography can significantly improve the visual appeal of social media content.
- Creating visually appealing content: This can involve using high-quality images, designing eye-catching graphics, and leveraging video effectively.
- Brand adherence: Ensuring all visuals align with the brand’s style guide and maintain brand consistency.
- Design tools: Familiarity with design tools like Canva or Adobe Photoshop can be beneficial, but there are also many user-friendly online design tools available.
Analytics 📊
While the job seems mostly creative, there is an intense analytic piece that requires social media managers to cross the line from the creative brain to the logical one. They’ll need to audit accounts, analyze data, optimize time and money, and use these conclusions to inform future strategies.
Data is king in social media marketing. Social media managers need to be able to:
- Track key performance indicators (KPIs): This includes metrics such as engagement rate, reach, website clicks, and conversions.
- Interpret data and draw insights: Analyze data to understand what’s working and what’s not, and use those insights to inform future strategies.
- Run A/B tests: Test different variations of content, ad campaigns, and landing pages to optimize performance.
- Generate reports: Present data findings in a clear and concise way to communicate social media performance to stakeholders.
Flick Tip: Sign up for a free 7-day trial with Flick and you’ll get access to all of your social media analytics! Plus, you’ll get an analytics report sent straight to your inbox each week.
Flexibility 🧘♂️
Social media is an industry that is changing every day, and a good social media manager needs to be comfortable keeping up. They should be able to adapt their strategies to fit a flexible market without losing sight of the brand goals. They should also be able to respond quickly and efficiently to any issues that arise, offering creative solutions to new problems.
The social media landscape is constantly evolving. Social media managers need to be adaptable and embrace change. This includes:
- Staying updated on the latest social media trends and platforms.
- Being willing to experiment with new content formats and features.
- Thinking on their feet and adjusting strategies as needed.
- Responding quickly to social media crises or negative comments.
Customer Service 👩💻
Your social media manager will be regularly interacting with customers, so it is critical they are able to do so effectively. Customer service requires a friendly, engaging demeanor that will serve your customers and promote loyalty to your brand. These conversational skills will work wonders for maintaining your audience.
Social media is a prime channel for customer interaction. Social media managers need to provide excellent customer service by:
- Responding to customer inquiries and complaints promptly and professionally.
- Resolving customer issues efficiently.
- Using a friendly and helpful tone in all communications.
- Proactively monitoring brand mentions and addressing negative sentiment.
- Soliciting customer feedback and using it to improve brand offerings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the role of a social media manager?
A social media manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing a brand’s social media strategy. This includes creating engaging content, building and maintaining a strong online community, monitoring social media platforms, and analyzing performance metrics to inform future strategies.
What is the difference between a social media manager and a digital marketer?
While both roles involve online marketing, a social media manager focuses specifically on social media platforms. A digital marketer has a broader scope, encompassing various online channels like search engines, email, and display advertising.
How do I become a social media manager?
To become a social media manager, you can start by building a strong online presence, gaining experience through internships or volunteering, developing a solid understanding of social media platforms, and continuously learning about industry trends.
What is the average salary of a social media manager?
The average salary of a social media manager varies depending on factors such as location, experience, company size, and industry. However, it typically ranges from 45,000 per year.
What are the most in-demand social media platforms for businesses?
The most in-demand social media platforms for businesses often include Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, and X. However, the optimal platforms depend on the target audience and industry.
How can I improve my copywriting skills for social media?
Practice writing regularly, study successful copy examples, understand your target audience, experiment with different writing styles, and use tools like Grammarly to improve your writing.
What tools can I use to analyze social media performance?
There are many social media analytics tools available, including built-in analytics on platforms like Flick, Facebook Insights, and Instagram Insights.
How do I build a strong personal brand as a social media manager?
Define your target audience, create high-quality content consistently, engage with your audience, leverage relevant hashtags, network with other professionals, and utilize visual storytelling.
What are the best practices for social media customer service?
Respond promptly to messages, be empathetic and helpful, use a conversational tone, offer solutions, and escalate issues when necessary.
How can I stay updated on social media trends?
Follow industry influencers, sign up for Flick where you will get trends daily, join relevant online communities, attend industry conferences, bookmark this blog post, read industry publications, and experiment with new platforms and features.
So … do you have what it takes? Remember, part of being a social media manager is a constant willingness to learn and grow, so don’t be afraid to brush up on your skills as you embrace this career path!
Looking for more help when it comes to running social media for your account or a business account? Join our Facebook Group, The Social Hub, to learn from other social media managers, social media agencies, and content creators to learn their tips, tricks, and advice on all things social.
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