First steps as a Social Media Manager

1. What is a Social Media Manager?

Social Media Manager positions are some of the most in-demand positions in the digital workforce today. However, many have a preconceived notion that social media managers just post on social media, and that their job is all butterflies and rainbows. But we know that Social Media Managers do SO much more than that… from strategizing, to analyzing, crafting content, scheduling, engaging online, running campaigns… the list goes on. 

This person is managing a brand’s online presence, reputation, and digital footprint. Which in today’s world? Is EVERYTHING! 

So, if you’re an aspiring Social Media Manager, what can you expect from this job? What are the daily tasks and roles? What skills do you need to successfully perform this job?

Don’t worry, we will break it all down for you.

Now that you’ve been given a comprehensive overview of everything it means to be a social media manager, it’s time to dive into the many different areas in detail.

2. Understanding Social Networks From The Ground Up

Obviously, you know the major social media channels. But do you know the platforms, their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and risks? Do you know which platforms your audience is most active on and willing to engage with your brand? 

These are all critical questions to ask yourself before designing a strategy, creating content, and planning it out. 

We’ll explore the answers to these questions and more in week 1! To start, review this breakdown of each platform, with a quick brief on the network history, how it has evolved, optimal content formats, and the largest demographics.

2.1 Choosing the best social media platforms for your brand

The million-dollar question: Does a brand or company have to be on ALL social media channels? How do you choose which platforms to post content on? What approach should I have for each network?

In today’s digital world, brands are expected to be highly active on multiple platforms. This can be a major challenge that many social media managers face. 

Rather than being overwhelmed by activating across all channels, focus on the ones where you have the most opportunities and places to connect with your target audience. 

We’ll also dive into the nitty gritty of the platforms, talking about algorithms, discussing network-specific strategies, how to optimize content per channel, and which industries and formats are most suitable for your specific brand.

2.2 Defining social media slang

Okay boomer… I’M KIDDING! I promise this course is literally for all ages. But if we’re gonna be hanging out together for two more weeks, I deserve to throw some jokes out here and there. 

What are the kids saying online these days? It seems like it’s always changing, but this article breaks it down, from POV to slay, and girl math. 

Discover the benefits of using social media slang, potential risks, and how to incorporate this jargon tastefully, without sacrificing your unique voice. We would NOT want that!

2.3 Social media marketing guides

So you’ve decided which channel(s) your brand will activate? Amazing! 

As you refine your social media marketing strategy, use these guides as a starting point to discover the key elements of a winning strategy on these platforms.

We have collected our essential marketing guides for each channel (yes, we have a general social media marketing strategy guide too!). 

You’re wrapping up week 1, and doing great! You’ve got this 🫶. Just two more modules to go (and they’re short!). 🦾

3. The Essential Social Media Manager Checklist

Is it even possible to juggle all the tasks a social media manager handles in one place? Well… sometimes it feels like we do!

Marketing roles move fast and shift constantly — one moment you’re crafting content, the next you’re handling strategy or replying to a customer comment.

It’s a lot, which is why having a centralized checklist of daily, weekly, and monthly tasks can make a huge difference.

If you’re new to content creation or freelancing, chances are no one’s handing you a job description. That’s where this quick checklist comes in — your guide to staying organized and sane in the fast-paced world of social media.

4. Performing a Social Media Audit

A social media audit is the spring cleaning of your social media profiles. This is where you can review your highlights, pinned posts, and bio description to see if it’s updated, still makes sense, and reflects your current goals. 

In short, this is a quick vibe check of your profiles to ensure they aren’t looking too rusty. If you’re taking on clients, this should be one of the first steps to starting from a clean slate. 

But, how do you conduct a social media audit? We’ll explain it below AND include a free template in case you want to get your hands dirty. We’ll call this “extra credit.” 😉

Well, that’s it for this week. I hope you leave with a strong foundation and path for your brand’s social media channels to thrive. 

I know this was a lot of reading, theory, and refreshing. It’s so important to come into this with clear direction, so we hope we’re steering the ship smoothly. Shall we keep drifting along?