Skip to main content

Starting a Career in Social Media Marketing

4 minute read

By Katie Ormsby

Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. It’s opened up new avenues for businesses to connect with their customers and transformed the way we communicate, consume information, and make purchasing decisions. In the digital age, social media marketing careers have emerged as lucrative and rewarding options.

Social media marketers shape the online presence of businesses and create effective marketing campaigns on social media platforms. It’s an exciting career, but how do you get started? Let’s take a look at what you should know about entering the field, including the skills and education you need to get hired for social media marketing jobs.

jayk7/Getty

What Is Social Media Marketing?

Social media marketing, also known as SMM, is the process of promoting a product, service, or brand on social media channels to reach a wider audience and engage with current and potential customers. It involves creating and publishing content that’s relevant and appealing to the target audience you want to reach.

The goal of social media marketing is to drive traffic, generate leads, and increase sales for a business through the content shared on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other channels. Social media marketing has revolutionized the way brands can connect with customers and influence customer behavior.

In today’s fast-paced digital world, social media marketing is a critical component of a comprehensive marketing strategy. It provides businesses with an opportunity to build a strong online presence, establish a relationship with customers, and stay ahead of the competition. Social media marketing is a powerful tool.1

Skills Required for Social Media Marketing

Technical and soft skills are required to succeed in social media marketing. Copywriting is an important technical skill in the field. That’s because social media involves crafting compelling and engaging messages that resonate with the target audience. Graphic design skills are necessary for creating eye-catching visuals that help to tell a story and convey a message.

Video editing skills are also important, as more and more businesses are turning to video content to reach their target audience. Finally, being able to analyze data analytics is critical for tracking the performance of social media campaigns and measuring the impact of marketing efforts on key metrics such as engagement, reach, and conversions.

In addition to technical skills, soft skills are crucial for success in social media marketing. Soft skills refer to the personal qualities and attributes that help to shape a person’s behavior and interactions with others. Creativity is an essential soft skill for social media marketers since they need to think outside the box and come up with new and innovative ways to engage with customers.

People skills are critical because social media marketers need to build and maintain relationships with customers, stakeholders, and team members. Flexibility and adaptability are also key, as the social media landscape is constantly evolving, and social media marketers need to be able to adapt and change with the times.

Organization skills are also essential for managing multiple projects, timelines, and deadlines in a fast-paced and demanding environment. By developing and honing these technical and soft skills, social media marketers can achieve their marketing goals, drive growth for their business, and advance their careers in this exciting and fast-paced field.2

Education Requirements and Salary Expectations

While there is no set path to becoming a social media marketer, many hiring managers look for candidates with related college degrees — especially writing-related degrees such as journalism or communication. A degree in these fields can provide the necessary writing and research skills required for success in social media marketing.

In addition to a college degree, an online certification in social media can give you a competitive edge in the job market and help you stand out. These certifications can provide practical, hands-on training in social media marketing and demonstrate a commitment to professional development. Research the options to find free and affordable programs.3

The average annual salary for social media manager jobs in Australia ranges from $70,000 to $90,000.4 This range reflects the growing demand for social media expertise as businesses seek to build their presence on social media platforms. As a result, companies are increasingly willing to invest in talented social media specialists.

The Advantages of Working in Social Media

Working in social media has several advantages that make it an attractive career option. One of those advantages is the flexibility to work remotely. Many social media marketers have the ability to work from home, a co-working space, or anywhere with an internet connection. This flexibility can result in a better work-life balance.

Another advantage is the opportunity to be creative and innovative. Social media is constantly evolving, and social media managers have the opportunity to develop new and creative ways to reach and engage with their target audience. This creative freedom can be highly fulfilling, making it a rewarding career.

Finally, working in social media can also provide opportunities for professional advancement. The field of social media is rapidly expanding, and there’s a growing demand for social media experts who can help businesses reach their marketing goals. That means opportunities abound for career growth and advancement in the field.

Social Media Marketing Jobs Are Great Opportunities

Social media marketing could be a good fit if you’re looking for a flexible and dynamic career that combines creativity, technology, and business. With the increasing importance of social media in marketing and the growing demand for social media expertise, social media jobs offer a wide range of opportunities for professional growth and advancement.

Whether you’re a recent college graduate or want to change careers, social media jobs can be rewarding and fulfilling. That’s because social media marketing takes creativity and innovation. It’s also a flexible career with opportunities to work remotely. Social media marketing is a dynamic career option for those with the drive to develop the necessary skills.

Katie Ormsby

Contributor