Social Media Careers 101
So, you want to learn more about developing a career in Social Media? This is the best place to start! We've summarized the basics of a career in Social Media so you can know more about what it takes to start your own.
Why Social Media Matters
The emergence of social media brought an unprecedented amount of opportunity for online marketers. This new realm provides unparalleled potential for reaching new customers, strengthening relationships with existing ones and expanding the presence of any online brand. Companies demand talented professionals who can navigate the social arena and properly market their products and services in a whole new way. Using blogs, podcasts, bookmarking, user-generated content and integrated social networks, social media professionals can broaden a company’s scope of business and keep them on the cutting edge of communication with their customers.
The beauty of social media marketing resides in its ability to foster personal connections between companies and their customers at little to no cost. This budget-friendly element is just one reason why so many high profile companies are opening social media positions in their marketing teams. Successful social media campaigns bring companies closer to their customers and give them valuable insight regarding what their preferences and opinions are. There is also the benefit of relaying company news faster as well as providing customized offers to loyal brand followers. Social media marketing campaigns may include branded Facebook pages, company Twitter feeds, blogs and customer networking groups, to name just a few.
Working in Social Media
The increased visibility and enhanced branding potential from social media marketing also comes with a need for greater online reputation management. The Internet gives consumers an efficient and powerful forum through which to broadcast their opinions, whether those are good or bad. As a result, most social media professionals are well versed in how to handle negative press because it is often the most readily available information about a brand online. Combating negative press, whether with direct customer contact or content designed to move bad press off the first SERP, is a crucial element of any social media marketing campaign and vital from a public relations standpoint. Social Media professionals should also be familiar with social networking platforms, the latest social industry news and techniques for interacting with broader audiences online.
There is a diverse range of jobs in social media including social media strategists, content planners and community managers. Whether your career in social media is just beginning to take shape or you are an established expert in the industry, Onward Search will match your skills and ambitions to opportunities that fit your personal experience and professional goals. Start working with Onward today to develop and fortify your social media career.
See our Social Media Salary Guide
Social Media Job Responsibilities
This is a list of responsibilities commonly associated with social media jobs. Tip: use the keywords and phrases you find in job descriptions when writing your resume to improve your chance of getting noticed.
- Developing social media strategies
- Managing online reputation
- Establishing social media profiles
- Promoting content on social news and bookmarking sites
- Optimizing social media linking strategies
Have questions about starting your career in this industry? Contact a recruiter today to learn more.



