A Serious Career in Social Media; Fact or Fantasy?

The number of people who read the morning paper and watch the five o’clock news on a regular basis is dwindling rapidly. Why? Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have taken over and have become som

 

e of the most powerful sources of news updates. Instant, up-to-the-minute information can be read right from your computer screen or on your smart phone. You can check the weather forecast in your area or read traffic updates before leaving the office for your commute home.

New Technologies Mean New Jobs

Many people are unaware that entire jobs based on social media are out there, but if you’re socially savvy and know your stuff, it’s completely possible have a serious career in social media. How? Somebody has to update all those company social media accounts!

Today’s teenagers can’t fathom life without Facebook and even adults who were born decades before its existence have become addicted to Twitter, so it’s not surprising that good-paying careers based upon these platforms have come into existence.

• Social Media Specialist. A social media specialist’s daily duties often include updating a company’s social media channels— Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Foursquare and Pinterest accounts for starters. Social media specialists are generally very familiar with and comfortable using the majority of social media platforms. They must continually update their knowledge of social media platforms because new platforms emerge often. Social media specialists can work for one specific company or at a marketing firm.
• Brand Manager / Community Manager. A brand or community manager oversees blogs, forums, social media platforms, and the news to monitor a company’s online presence. He or she interacts with fans as well as foes; retweeting compliments and dealing with complaints or other customer service issues are common activities. A background in traditional marketing is a plus for this social media marketing career!
• Blogger / Content Writer. At larger social media firms or companies with their own in-house social media departments, bloggers and content writers are often the creative force behind social media specialists and brand managers. They research and write the content that will be shared on Facebook, Twitter, and company blogs. Journalism training is common but not required.

Do any of these careers sound right for you? Great! Just be prepared to wear many hats whatever your job title winds up being. For example, bloggers and content writers often update social media accounts themselves and field responses from fans and friends. You should also be prepared to deal with changes on a regular basis.

It’s easy to make incorrect assumptions about any career if you aren’t completely familiar with it, but some people mistakenly assume that having a Facebook page instantly turn them into a social media expert. Others have the impression being a social media specialist means they will do nothing but play on the Internet all day long. While it’s true that having a job you love can make your workday go quickly, a career in social media is just as serious as a career in any other industry.

References / Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_media

http://www.onwardsearch.com/Social-Media-Salaries/

Michael “Big Mike” McCaffery works for godish.com and loves working with young people to help them find their dream tech jobs.  Please check out his twitter account if you enjoyed this article.