Social Media Management: Skills & Tools You Need

Summary

Social media management is an exciting, growing career with huge potential. The video emphasizes essential skills and tools for aspiring social media managers, starting with content planning and using systems like Metro Cool to streamline account management. Key skills include content creation, editorial planning, and analytics, with a focus on understanding data and optimizing strategies. The presenter highlights how to use competitor research, schedule posts, and report on performance. Ultimately, social media management is a rewarding field that can open doors to other digital careers, making it a great starting point for those interested in digital marketing.

Takeaways

• 😀 Social media management is a rapidly growing career with high potential for future growth. Many experts predict that future Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) and Chief Strategists (CSOs) will come from social media management backgrounds.
• 😀 The flexibility of social media management allows for diverse work environments, from working on the go (e.g., on an airplane) to at home in comfortable settings, making it an appealing career choice.
• 😀 A Social Media Management System (SMMS) is essential for managing all client accounts from one centralized platform. Metro is recommended as a tool for this purpose, offering a 30-day free trial with the code 'Latasha'.
• 😀 The first key skill for a social media manager is content planning. With countless content formats and ideas available, it’s crucial to stay organized and proactive in creating a content calendar.
• 😀 A social media manager should regularly analyze competitor content and performance. Tools like Metro’s 'competitor' feature allow easy comparison to identify successful strategies and optimize your own content.
• 😀 Content creation requires understanding what types of posts resonate with the target audience. Looking at data like likes, comments, and engagement helps refine content strategies.
• 😀 Scheduling content efficiently is key. Using Metro’s 'best times' feature allows managers to schedule posts during optimal engagement windows based on historical data.
• 😀 After creating and scheduling content, a social media manager must also track and analyze results. Regular reporting is essential to communicate success to clients and optimize future strategies.
• 😀 Benchmarking against competitors is crucial for understanding whether performance is on par with industry standards. Using competitor data to guide strategy ensures you are staying competitive in the market.
• 😀 Effective social media management includes regular content adjustments based on performance data. Social media managers must be constantly optimizing their content strategies to reflect what works and what doesn’t.
• 😀 While social media management can evolve into other digital roles (e.g., video creation, online education), it serves as an excellent starting point for a career in digital marketing, providing valuable skills for future opportunities.

Q & A

What makes social media management one of the best career choices right now?

Social media management is growing rapidly, with experts predicting that the next generation of Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) and Chief Strategists (CSOs) will come from social media managers. It offers flexibility in work environments and has a lot of potential for career growth.

What is a Social Media Management System (SMMS) and why is it important?

An SMMS centralizes all social media accounts in one place, making it easier to manage multiple platforms, schedule posts, and analyze performance. Metro Cool is an example of an SMMS that the speaker highly recommends for its user-friendly features and data-driven insights.

How does Metro Cool help in competitor analysis for social media managers?

Metro Cool offers a 'competitor's feature' that allows you to compare your account's performance against others in your niche. This feature provides valuable data such as engagement rates, likes, comments, and overall rankings, helping you understand what is working for competitors and inspire your content strategy.

What is the best way to plan content as a social media manager?

The best way to plan content is by observing what others are posting and using data to determine which types of content are performing well. You should also constantly brainstorm new ideas and fill out a content calendar, especially if you're a freelancer who needs to generate ideas independently.

How can social media managers create data-driven content?

Social media managers can create data-driven content by using tools like Metro Cool to analyze competitor performance. By understanding which posts are driving engagement, managers can adapt similar strategies for their own content while maintaining originality.

What is the role of editorial planning and scheduling in social media management?

Editorial planning involves organizing content ideas and scheduling them in a content calendar. Tools like Metro Cool allow managers to schedule posts at the best times, based on historical data, ensuring maximum engagement for each post.

Why is reporting and analytics important for social media managers?

Reporting and analytics help track performance and justify decisions. By generating reports using tools like Metro Cool, managers can show clients how well their content is performing, compare it to competitors, and identify areas for improvement.

How can social media managers effectively communicate data to clients?

Social media managers can communicate data by presenting it in easy-to-understand reports and explaining key metrics like follower growth, engagement rates, and top-performing content. Regular meetings help ensure transparency and optimize strategies based on real-time performance.

What are the key skills needed for success as a social media manager?

Key skills include content planning, data analysis, content creation, scheduling, reporting, and client communication. Social media managers must constantly monitor performance and adapt their strategies based on insights from both analytics and client feedback.

What is the significance of optimizing content based on data?

Optimizing content based on data ensures that social media managers create posts that resonate with their audience. By analyzing which types of posts perform best, such as those with faces or certain types of images, managers can adjust their content to achieve better results.