A social media community manager is a professional responsible for building, nurturing, and managing a brand’s communities on various social media platforms. They make posts, chat with followers, and ensure people are well-informed and engaged.
They also check how well posts are doing and develop new plans and ideas to make the brand more liked online. It’s their job to create a friendly and positive space for the brand on the internet.
The most important skills of a social media community manager are excellent communication abilities, adaptability in using various social media platforms, and a knack for creating engaging content. Social media community managers have a deep brand understanding and analytical skills to measure the effectiveness of campaigns. They must have a proactive approach to community engagement and customer service.
Their skills in improving a brand’s online presence justify their salary. In the US, a social media community manager typically earns $93,582 annually, according to Indeed. The cities that pay the most to social media community managers are Austin, TX ($103,460), San Francisco, CA ($97,266), and Miami, FL ($90,371 per year).
When you’re looking to hire a social media community manager, you should find someone who knows how to craft engaging and original content. They must have strong communication and interpersonal skills and be able to easily relate to the target audience. Keep an eye out for someone who is organized, proactive, and thorough.
Your social media community manager should bring a fresh and innovative approach, constantly brainstorming new ideas to keep your audience engaged. If you find the right person, it will result in a positive brand image, higher engagement rates, and, ultimately, increased sales and growth for your business.
What is Social Media Community Management?
Social media community management is the practice of creating and maintaining a positive and engaging environment on a brand’s social media platforms. It involves interacting with the audience through comments, messages, and posts and crafting content that resonates with the community.
It’s all about fostering a lively and positive atmosphere online. It is the art of engaging with your audience in a friendly and meaningful way, where their opinions are valued and their voices are heard.
The main point is to tend to real connections through interesting, relevant content that gives value to the people. It’s like you’re building an online home where your audience can hang out and enjoy interactions with your brand and fellow members.
What Does a Social Media Community Manager Do?
A social media community manager fully represents a brand on social platforms. They make engaging content, interact with the audience through comments and messages, and build a positive and welcoming online environment.
Community managers create a tight-knit community around a brand, establishing a group of loyal supporters. They respond promptly to the audience’s queries and concerns, enhancing customer service.
They also keep a pulse on industry trends, ensuring a brand remains relevant and ahead of the curve. Moreover, they manage and execute social media campaigns, boosting a brand’s online presence and engagement.
Social media community management is akin to creating a digital haven where individuals can enjoy a friendly space that resonates well with them. That’s what the social media community manager is responsible for.
But their job goes beyond interaction. They need to continually monitor the online environment to ensure it remains positive and inclusive. They must actively listen to the community’s voices, ensuring their opinions are valued and their needs are met.
What is the Difference Between a Social Media Community Manager and a Social Media Manager?
The difference between a social media community manager and a social media manager is that a social media community manager nurtures and interacts with the online community, while a social media manager focuses on strategizing and planning brand-boosting content.
A social media community manager is the heart and soul of the online community. This role is about nurturing a warm, inviting space where the audience can interact with the brand personally. Their daily tasks involve fostering genuine conversations, addressing concerns, and acknowledging feedback.
On the other side, a social media manager lays out the roadmap for the brand’s online journey, creating content calendars, formulating strategies, and setting long-term goals. Their eyes are set on enhancing the brand’s visibility and reach. They analyze performance metrics and adjust strategies accordingly to ensure the brand’s growth in the online world.
So, in simple terms, while the social media manager builds and enhances the brand’s house, the social media community manager makes sure it feels like a home.
What is the Difference Between a Social Media Community Manager and a Consultant?
The difference between a social media community manager and a consultant is that a social media community manager engages with the brand’s online community daily, while a consultant offers expert advice on strategies to improve the brand’s overall online presence and reach.
A social media consultant generally focuses on big-picture strategies, working on projects to enhance current brand activities. They craft detailed marketing strategies, refine content for SEO, and analyze data to guide the brand in accomplishing its goals more effectively.
In contrast, a social media community manager concentrates more on building and maintaining a vibrant online community.
This difference defines their special roles in building a brand’s online image. They complete each other and together work on establishing a close-knit community bond.
What Are the Job Responsibilities of a Social Media Community Manager?
The job responsibilities of a social media community manager are communicating and providing support to the community members, monitoring trends and topics, and promptly addressing comments and customer queries.
A good social media community manager is tech-savvy, proactive, professional, and experienced in social media, PR, and promotional events. They need these skills because their main job is to moderate all online conversations with their client’s community. In addition, they must anticipate potential problems that may negatively affect brand reputation.
Ultimately, they act as the face and voice of the brand and manage all community communications.
What Are the Advantages of Being a Social Media Community Manager?
The advantages of being a social media manager include creative freedom, ongoing skill development, flexible work arrangements, and the possibility of working from remote locations.
Social media managers enjoy creative autonomy, allowing them to have fun with unique and captivating content. Their day-to-day involves forging meaningful connections with a vibrant online community, which is quite rewarding in the sense of unity and engagement.
This role is also a gateway to continuous learning, as they need to follow the latest trends and innovations in the digital landscape.
Community managers often play an important role in shaping a brand’s narratives. Furthermore, they enjoy considerable flexibility in their work schedule, with the convenience of remote work options. This, in turn, leads to a healthy work-life balance.
What Are the Disadvantages of Being a Social Media Community Manager?
The disadvantages of being a social media community manager are the difficulty of disconnecting from social platforms to avoid burnout and the potential for mistakes to go viral, affecting the brand negatively.
Social media community managers must constantly adapt and evolve, which can be demanding. There’s also a pressure to keep the community engaged, requiring a continual stream of creativity and innovation. This is coupled with an expectation to stay ahead of new features, changing algorithms, and evolving audience preferences.
To sum it up, this profession is very rewarding but still demands high flexibility and resilience to do the job right.
How to Become a Social Media Community Manager?
To become a social media community manager, you have to get an education on this subject, take courses to learn more, then develop your skills and gain experience by practice. Once you build your portfolio, you can connect with professionals and keep enhancing your knowledge.
Below are listed 6 steps on how to become a social media community manager.
- Get an education: Start with a foundation in communication or marketing from a reputable institution. Continue obtaining certificates from recognized platforms to showcase your dedication and expertise in the field.
- Develop necessary skills: These skills include excellent communication abilities, an understanding of the technical aspects of social media platforms, basic design skills for creating attractive content, and analytics for evaluating campaign performance.
- Gain experience: Begin by building a personal brand or offering your services as a freelancer to gain practical experience. Internships at reputed companies are also valuable for social media management.
- Build your portfolio: Showcase your best work, including content creation, community engagement strategies, and successful campaigns. This portfolio testifies your skills and creativity, helping you stand out to potential employers.
- Networking: Build connections with professionals in the field through social media platforms and industry events. Networking helps you learn from experienced individuals and opens doors to many opportunities.
- Continuous learning and growth: The world of social media is ever-changing. Dedicate yourself to constant learning by staying updated with the latest trends, tools, and technologies.
What Skills Should a Good Social Media Community Manager Have?
The skills that a good social media community manager should have are listed below.
- Exceptional communication skills for clear interactions
- Mastery of platforms proficiency for optimal use
- Creating engaging content
- Adaptability to ever-changing environments
- Customer-centric mindset for enhanced satisfaction
- Good judgment for reliable decision-making
- Unbounded creativity for innovative approaches
- Sharp analytics and data interpretation for clearer insights
- Efficient time management for peak productivity
- Cultural awareness for global integration
- Deep brand understanding for consistent messaging
- Rigorous attention to detail
- Effective conflict resolution
1. Exceptional Communication Skills for Clear Interactions
Having exceptional communication skills means conveying messages in a clear and understandable way. It includes writing well, speaking clearly, and listening and understanding others effectively.
Interacting with the audience in an engaging and respectful manner is crucial for the job. This skill ensures that the messages from the brand are conveyed accurately and efficiently.
Improving communication skills is an ongoing process. Engaging in writing workshops and reading every day is very beneficial. Practice active listening and seek feedback from peers to further enhance these skills.
Working in this role without exceptional narrative skills leads to misunderstandings, ineffective message conveyance, and a less cohesive community.
2. Mastery of Social Media Platform Proficiency for Optimal Use
Mastery of platform proficiency means being highly skilled and knowledgeable about various social media platforms. It involves knowing each platform’s unique features and creating and managing content that resonates well with the audience.
This skill is vital for the job because each social media platform has a different set of tools, audience behaviors, and engagement tactics. Proficiency allows a social media community manager to plan platform-specific strategies, enhancing the brand’s presence and engagement rates.
Knowing how each platform works enables the community manager to reach the right audience with the right message. This leads to more genuine connections and engagements.
To gain platform proficiency, start by exploring and experimenting with different social media platforms. Take online courses and follow industry blogs. Learn from experiences, try different strategies, and adapt based on the results.
The lack of expertise in this skill leads to missed opportunities for engagement, lesser reach, and ineffective strategies.
3. Creating Engaging Content
Creating engaging content means making posts, videos, or images that capture people’s interest and make them want to interact with it, such as liking, sharing, or commenting.
Content creation is highly valued by employers seeking a social media community manager. It is a testimony to the individual’s capability to attract and hold the audience’s interest.
Compelling content sparks conversations and encourages people to interact with the brand and each other. It forms the foundation of a lively, vibrant online community – a vital part of a brand’s online presence.
To learn how to make exciting content, try to understand what your audience likes. Start by trying different kinds of posts and see what works best. Then, make more of what people enjoy. It’s a good idea to take a few classes where you can learn more about making good content.
Keep an eye on what popular brands are doing; it might give you some ideas. Remember, the more you practice on your own social media, the better you’ll get. Always listen to what people say about your posts and try to do better next time.
Content creation is not a primary skill that’s needed for this job, but it is greatly appreciated. It holds significant weight in the selection process and might be the make-or-break factor in hiring a candidate for some employers.
4. Adaptability to Ever-Changing Environments
Adaptability to ever-changing environments means quickly adjusting strategies and approaches in response to dynamic trends and updates. It involves being open to learning and flexible in modifying plans as required.
An adaptable community manager leverages new trends to boost engagement, resulting in a stronger and more organic connection with people. This keeps the community fresh and exciting and attracts a broader and more varied audience.
To develop adaptability, stay up-to-date with the latest industry news, participate in online forums, and seek feedback from the community. Learn from your experiences, and don’t be afraid to try new approaches.
Working without this skill severely limits the potential for success. A community manager who is not adaptable may find their strategies becoming stale or outdated. This results in diminished engagement and a disconnected community.
5. A Customer-Centric Mindset for Enhanced Satisfaction
A customer-centric mindset for enhanced satisfaction means understanding and meeting the needs and expectations of the community. It involves actively listening to feedback, empathizing with the audience, and prioritizing their satisfaction.
A customer-centric mindset is crucial for the job. It builds and maintains a strong, positive relationship between the brand and its audience. This approach ensures that the community feels valued and heard, which fosters loyalty and enhances the overall brand image. It encourages meaningful and positive interactions, increasing user engagement and retention.
To develop a customer-centric mindset, start by actively listening to customer feedback and engaging with the community to understand their needs better. Study successful case examples and undertake courses in customer relationship management. Be open to input and critique and willing to adapt strategies accordingly.
The absence of this skill leads to a detached and less vibrant community. This results in missed opportunities to build stronger relationships and grow the community organically.
6. Good judgment for reliable decision-making
Good judgment for reliable decision-making is the ability to make wise and informed choices regarding social media. It involves analyzing information, foreseeing potential consequences, and choosing the best course of action based on available insights.
It is vital for social media community managers to make quick decisions that can significantly influence the brand’s image. Reliable decision-making enhances the overall reputation, prevents potential crises, and creates a respectful and engaging space. It leads to more strategic and successful campaigns, as decisions are grounded in careful analysis.
Good judgment comes with experience and a deep understanding of the social media landscape. Obtain it through continuous learning, analyzing case studies, and learning from past mistakes. Seek mentorship or guidance from experienced professionals.
While it’s possible to start the job without fully developed judgment skills, lacking in this area can lead to potential missteps and crises. Over time, not having good judgment hinders the growth and reputation of the community. Cultivating this skill is a must for a successful career.
7. Unbounded creativity for innovative approaches
Unbounded creativity for innovative approaches is the ability to think outside the box and develop new, unique strategies and content. This skill fosters the constant generation of fresh ideas that defy conventional norms.
A social media community manager needs a solid reservoir of creativity to capture the audience’s attention. It’s a fantastic way to set a trend and gain popularity as the content circulates on social media platforms.
To nurture this skill, engage in brainstorming sessions, attend creative workshops, and constantly seek inspiration from various sources. Those sources can be art, literature, nature, etc. Experiment with different content formats and styles.
While a job can technically be done without this skill, it might result in a stagnant community with less engagement. A lack of creativity severely limits a brand’s ability to stay relevant and resonate with the audience.
8. Sharp analytics and data interpretation for clearer insights
Sharp analytics and data interpretation are the skills of understanding and making sense of various types of data and statistics. It involves looking at numbers, trends, and patterns and drawing meaningful conclusions from them.
Understanding analytics and data helps a social media community manager create successful strategies and campaigns. It aids in deciding what kind of content resonates with the audience, the best times to post, and the most engaging interactions. Knowing how to interpret data allows for a more targeted approach and offers opportunities for improvement and refinement.
To hone this skill, take courses in data analysis or statistics. Online platforms offer useful resources where you can learn at your own pace. Hands-on experience is also crucial. Try analyzing data from existing social media campaigns to get a feel of the practical aspects.
This skill offers a great advantage. It allows for a deeper understanding and a more strategic approach to community management. Without it, a community manager might miss out on crucial insights that could help make more successful and engaging campaigns.
9. Efficient time management for peak productivity
Efficient time management for peak productivity is the ability to use time wisely to complete tasks without feeling rushed or stressed. It means being a smart planner who knows how to get the most work done while still having time for fun.
A community manager has to be adept at responding to comments, planning new content, and analyzing data without getting overwhelmed. The ability to swiftly address issues, update content, and engage with the audience means that the brand’s online presence is always fresh and exciting.
Learning to manage time starts with simple steps like making a daily to-do list and setting realistic time frames for each task. Numerous apps and tools are available to help organize tasks and set reminders. Opt for short courses or workshops to understand the principles of time management better.
You can’t be a good community manager without strong time management skills. It leads to a chaotic and less productive work environment. Tasks might get mixed up, and things can take longer to accomplish, slowing down the growth pace on social media platforms.
10. Cultural awareness for global integration
Cultural awareness for global integration means understanding, respecting, and valuing the different customs, beliefs, and practices of people in various parts of the world. It’s the capacity to appreciate the uniqueness of others around you.
A community manager needs to create a space where people from different backgrounds feel respected and heard. Being culturally aware helps in conveying messages that resonate with a global audience. It’s a sure way to avoid misunderstandings or unintentional offenses. This skill encourages rich and diverse dialogues.
Learning cultural awareness starts with reading about different cultures, watching documentaries, or engaging in discussions with people from diverse backgrounds. Participate in cultural exchange programs or online forums. It’s all about broadening your horizons and being a keen learner, eager to understand the diversity of our world.
Technically, a community manager could do their job without this skill, but they might face problems in connecting with a global audience. It leads to creating content that could offend or alienate parts of the community.
11. Deep brand understanding for consistent messaging
Deep brand understanding for consistent messaging involves thoroughly knowing and conveying a brand’s values, voice, and personality across different social media platforms. This skill helps the brand appear consistent and familiar to the audience.
Having a deep understanding of the brand allows creating content that resonates well with the brand’s core principles. When a community manager truly represents the brand’s values, they build an authentic community where members feel closely connected to the brand. All communications are aligned. This consistency amplifies the brand’s voice, making it more recognizable and respected.
Learning deep brand understanding starts with exploring the brand’s ethics, history, and customer perceptions. Start by reviewing all existing brand materials and interacting with long-time customers. You can also interview the founders or the key personnel to gain insights. Keep up with customer reviews and feedback and take courses in brand management and marketing communications.
This skill is vital for the role. Without it, the messaging may seem disjointed and superficial, failing to create a strong bond with the community. The lack of a cohesive narrative results in a weaker brand presence and an alienated audience.
12. Rigorous attention to detail
Rigorous attention to detail means carefully noticing and managing even the smallest aspects of a task or project. It involves meticulously overseeing content, communication, and community interaction to maintain a high-quality online presence.
Paying close attention to detail ensures that all content shared is polished, error-free, and aligns with the brand’s objectives. It helps identify and rectify issues before they escalate, maintaining the brand’s reputation. It contributes to a smoother user experience, as all content and interactions are well-thought-out and structured. A community manager with this skill spots inconsistencies and errors early, preventing potential misunderstandings or misinformation.
To develop rigorous attention to detail, practice thorough reviews for all content before publishing. Check for grammatical errors, verify information accuracy, and ensure visual elements align with the brand’s aesthetics. Take courses in editing or project management and regularly gather and analyze feedback.
This is a fundamental skill for social media community managers. The lack of it results in content that fails to resonate with the audience, diminishing the brand’s impact. You must have a keen eye for detail to excel in this job.
13. Effective conflict resolution
Effective conflict resolution is the ability to manage and settle disputes or disagreements in a fair, calm, and constructive way. It involves addressing conflicts between community members and the brand to maintain a respectful online space.
Conflicts can frequently arise due to diverse perspectives and opinions. Effective conflict resolution skills are vital in maintaining a peaceful and respectful community culture. The community manager must navigate tense situations adeptly, preserving the brand’s image while ensuring members feel heard and valued. It’s important to prevent minor disagreements from escalating into major issues and spreading negativity.
To develop this skill, take courses in communication or mediation to learn how to understand and resolve conflicts. Gain experience in real-life situations through volunteering or doing jobs that require mediation skills. Read books or articles on the subject and observe how experienced community managers handle conflicts.
You must have this skill to do the job right. The inability to address and resolve conflicts results in increased negativity and disputes within the community. This harms the brand’s reputation in the long run.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Social Media Community Manager in the United States?
Hiring a social media community manager in the United States costs $93,582 annually on average, according to Indeed. Depending on experience level, geographic location, and company size, it can range from $61,847 to $141,600.
Social Media Community Manager salaries vary across major U.S. cities, with Austin, TX, topping the list at an average of $103,460 per year. San Francisco, CA, follows closely with $97,266 annually, and Miami, FL, comes next at $90,371. New York, NY, reports a similar average of $90,107 per year.
On the West Coast, Los Angeles, CA, offers $79,952 annually, while Seattle, WA, averages $78,049. Philadelphia, PA, reports $79,245 per year, slightly below the West Coast average.
Dallas, TX, offers a more modest salary at $70,295 per year, and Atlanta, GA, rounds out the list with $57,497 annually.
The difference in salaries comes from the extra benefits highly skilled community managers bring to the table. They know how to create a friendly and positive community and foster growth to reach the brand’s main goals. This, in turn, helps the company make more money.
Initially, at the lower end of the salaries, social media community managers might only have basic community engagement skills. As they progress, they gain specialized skills in data analytics, strategic planning, and crisis management. However, the salary still greatly varies on a specific geographic location and company scale.
Why Would a Business Need a Social Media Community Manager?
A business needs a social media community manager to manage its online presence effectively, engage with its audience, and promote a positive brand image through interactive and consistent content.
Community managers chat with followers, answer questions, and make them feel special. This builds a group of fans who love the brand and genuinely enjoy being part of the community.
Moreover, community managers know what to say to make people smile, think, or hit the ‘share’ button. They keep tabs on what people say about the brand. If someone spreads a rumor or false info, they’re right there to set the record straight. If there’s any negative comment, they know how to reply and handle it, ensuring the brand stays in everyone’s good books.
But today, it’s no longer enough just to be kind and reply to queries. Now, customers seek instant gratification and efficient solutions to their issues.
Time is of the essence. 76% of people anticipate a response within 24 hours when they reach out on social media platforms, according to the Sprout Social Index. The role of a community manager is to address and resolve issues in a timely and satisfactory manner, thereby maintaining the brand’s credibility.
On social media, information moves fast, which can make crises worsen quickly. In case of a sudden crisis, community managers communicate clearly and concisely to avoid misunderstandings and halt the spread of rumors.
By providing timely and accurate information, they help calm the public and ensure that everyone has the correct facts. This approach is crucial for businesses to maintain a strong reputation.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Having an in-house Social Media Community Manager Vs. Outsourcing Them?
Both in-house and outsourced social media community managers have their pros and cons. Let’s start with the pros of hiring an in-house social media community manager, which are listed below.
- Detailed brand knowledge: They understand the brand inside and out, ensuring authentic and cohesive messaging.
- Fast communication: They can quickly cooperate with different departments to coordinate strategies.
- Cultural alignment: They naturally embody the company culture in community management.
Next, here are the cons of hiring an in-house social media community manager.
- Limited perspective: They might offer a narrower view due to immersion in the company culture.
- Costly rates: They require more money for recruitment, training, and salary.
- Less flexibility: They may find it hard to adapt to rapidly changing social media trends.
Now, let’s see the pros of outsourcing the social media community manager.
- Fresh perspectives: They bring in new ideas and viewpoints that can enhance the brand’s social media strategy.
- Cost-effectiveness: Hiring them is more budget-friendly as it eliminates recruitment and training costs.
- Expertise access: These individuals possess specialized skills and experience in community management.
The cons of outsourcing the social media community manager include the following.
- Possible brand misalignment: There is a risk of misrepresentation or inconsistency in brand messaging.
- Sharing private data: You need to allow someone else access to your social media accounts.
- Less control: You might have less control over their daily operations and community engagement strategies.
Should You Hire an Agency to Manage Your Social Media?
Yes, you should hire an agency to manage your social media if you need the expertise and wide range of skills of more than one person. However, the final decision on whether you’ll hire a community manager or an agency depends on your company size, budget, and the goals you want to achieve.
The key benefits of hiring a social media management agency are their access to a diverse team of experts and advanced tools and technology. They can provide a fresh perspective on your brand’s strategy. Your business will benefit from experts handling various aspects, such as content creation, analytics, and strategy development, without hiring separate individuals for each role.
Hiring a social media community manager over an agency is a good move if you aim to build a tight and friendly community. A community manager dedicated solely to your audience can immerse themselves more deeply in your brand’s identity and values. This results in a more organic and authentic engagement, building stronger, more personal relationships.
In the end, this choice comes down to your current requirements. If you want to nurture deep personal connections, choose a community manager. However, an agency is more fitting if you have a bigger company and need more complex marketing demands.
How to Choose the Right Social Media Community Manager for Your Business?
To choose the right social media community manager for your business, identify candidates who understand your brand’s voice and have proven experience in maintaining online communities. They must have excellent communication and conflict-resolution skills.
The prospective community manager must communicate in a manner that resonates with your target audience, using a tone and style that aligns with your brand’s personality. Preferably, they should be able to create content that reflects your company’s values, making your brand relatable and appealing.
Choose a community manager who nurtures a sense of community where members feel heard, valued, and engaged. This involves organizing online events and possibly collaborating with other brands or influencers. It’s a great way to broaden your reach.
Ensure your candidate can handle negative comments and trolls and promptly address customer queries. They must adeptly manage all kinds of conflicts and complaints to keep the online space respectful and positive.
How Do Community Managers Handle Negative Comments or Trolls?
Community managers handle negative comments or trolls by responding calmly, professionally, and sometimes choosing not to engage to maintain a positive online environment.
They are the peacekeepers of the online space. Their primary role is to manage the situation with utmost professionalism. This means having a polite and constructive conversation to understand the user’s point of view or issues. Sometimes, they might find that not responding is the best course of action to avoid further conflicts.
Community managers know when to step in and when to step back. They aim to protect the brand’s image and foster a community where members feel safe and respected. To handle problems effectively, they rely on established rules to solve anything that might come up. Getting better at handling these issues comes with time, but attending communication and conflict resolution workshops is also beneficial for further growth.
