Nowadays, many companies are moving towards creating content that people want to share. To attract and retain customers, businesses need to stay relevant and create content that interests their target audience.

This is where social media managers come in. A social media manager is a professional who manages a business’ social media accounts. They are often hired by marketers or content creators who want to take advantage of the power that social media has to attract and retain audiences.

While most social media managers work in marketing or management positions, the job title does not necessarily imply that you have to be an expert in marketing or management to succeed in this role. You just need to have a good command of grammar and be able to multi-task. You will be spending a lot of time on your feet, so you need to make sure that you are comfortable carrying out your duties.

The Two Main Roles

Depending on the role you are aiming for, you can choose which educational background to pursue. You can decide between being a content creator or marketer, and the title of social media manager will help you land the job you want. Here are the two main roles that a social media manager can assume:

Content Creator

A content creator is someone who comes up with the content that appears on social media channels. They can take any idea or subject and develop it into a piece of writing that will later be published on a blog or online magazine. They may also be called upon to create graphics, videos, or other material to accompany an article or marketing plan.

A graphic designer may also fit into this category, as they can take any idea or concept and develop it into an image that businesses and organizations can use to promote products or ideas. If your primary job responsibility is to come up with content for different platforms, whether it’s social, video, or mobile origami, then having a journalism or graphic design background may be ideal.

Marketer

A marketer is responsible for driving traffic to websites and other online properties that promote products or services. To achieve this, marketers develop strategies, create marketing materials, and track marketing performance to ensure that they are driving the right traffic to the right places at the right time.

Marketers are responsible for creating demand for products and services by understanding the interests of their target audience and communicating the value of what they offer to potential customers. Therefore, a marketing background is ideal if you want to succeed in this role as you will need to be able to think of various ways to reach your audience.

The Three Main Skillsets

While most social media managers are generalists and can assume many different responsibilities, there are certain skill sets that will make you stand out. These are the three main skill sets that will make you a desirable candidate for the role:

Technical

A technical background means you have expertise in computer programming and digital marketing. If you possess specific skills and knowledge in digital marketing or computer programming, then you can pursue a career in software development or information technology, respectively. An information technology (IT) background can also open up a whole world of possibilities for you if you decide to go down this route. A lot of social media managers start their career in software development or information technology before moving into marketing or content creation. Having these skills allows you to operate a variety of software solutions, whether you are developing a blog platform, an e-commerce store, or even just a basic website. You can build all of these things yourself from the ground up, or you can take on a freelance project and build something that will serve your client for the rest of their life.

Analytical

An analytical background means you are great at crunching numbers and can turn raw data into useful information. If you have an analytical mind and are good at crunching numbers, then you can work in market research or data analysis, two other areas that are often associated with this job title. In data analysis, you might examine marketing or sales data to determine what works and what doesn’t. A marketing analyst can create marketing reports and examine traffic patterns to find out which campaigns are performing the best and which ones need to be rethought out.

Analyst positions are frequently found in the financial sector, but many large businesses have their own research departments that employ hundreds of people. This is primarily a job for the analytical minded, those who can think outside of the box and come up with creative solutions to problems. Entrepreneurs and innovators in all industries can find a use for an analytical mind, as they can be the driving force behind a new business or product.

Creative

A creative background means you are able to think outside of the box, come up with ideas, and are great at communicating them to others. If you have a creative mind and can come up with innovative ideas, then you can work in advertising, marketing, or graphic design. A graphic designer can take any idea or concept and develop it into a graphical representation that will be used in some form of design, whether it’s a website header, a t-shirt, or a billboard. A marketer may be called upon to create graphics, animations, or videos to accompany an article or marketing plan.

If you love to think outside of the box and come up with new ideas, then a creative job may be the right choice for you. Many entrepreneurs and innovators have a background in art or design and can think of various ways to approach a problem or challenge. They may have an idea for an app or website that will solve a specific problem or provide an innovative way to market a product.

Why should you get a Journalism or Graphic Design Degree?

While the abovementioned jobs are often associated with a background in journalism or graphic design, these degrees aren’t necessarily required for the role. Many successful social media managers have backgrounds in business, marketing, or communications, and don’t necessarily have a formal education in either journalism or graphic design. However, having a degree does make you stand out from the crowd and gives you the opportunity to specialize in a particular field.

A journalism or graphic design degree will give you the basic knowledge and tools you need to become a successful social media manager. You will learn how to write an effective press release, build a basic website, and design a business card. You may also study digital marketing and social media marketing, two different approaches businesses can take to promoting their products and services online. Even if you don’t want to specialize in these areas initially, getting a degree will give you a fresh perspective, enabling you to see problems from multiple angles and come up with innovative solutions.

Where do I start?

Deciding what kind of education you need for the role of social media manager is a lot easier said than done. There are several degrees and certificates that you can get that will qualify you for the role, but not all of them are created equal. The key is to find a program that will give you the knowledge and ability to succeed in this role. This way, you can decide what is the best option for you. As a first step, you can check out these 10 online degree programs that will make you stand out of the crowd