The first step in working with someone to support your brand’s social media is knowing what type of help you exactly need. Right at the very beginning, expectations and requirements must be set straight to avoid any misunderstanding and disappointment.

Not all social media roles are made equal and nor should the expectations be for those who work in the industry .

Whilst there are hybrid superstars out there who crossover from one role or responsibility to another, it is important to know that not everyone is the same.

Here’s a list of four common in-demand social media roles and their respective job descriptions:

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Social Media Manager

‍A social media manager is responsible for the day to day activities which includes content planning, copywriting, reporting as well responding to comments and messages. They may or may not be skilled in photography/ videography; graphic design, animation, etc.; or they may or may not know how to develop strategies and campaigns. Their role os to ensure the consistency and cadence of your social media presence. Content creation, design and strategic skills are good to have but these are not the main requirements of the role.

Who is it for: brands that know the role that social media has in achieving their overall goals, has a strategy in place but is lacking the time to manage the day to day tasks of posting content and engaging with the community.

Social Media Strategist

‍Strategists are skilled at analysing data, keeping up with industry trends and understanding a brand's DNA. They identify what social media goals you should focus on to effectively use social media to support your brand vision and goals.
A social media strategist is an expert at connecting the dots and creating a comprehensive strategy to get your social media from where you are right now to where you want it to be. They look at the big picture than the details of the day to day tasks that social media managers are responsible for. Strategists may or may not be a previous/current social media manager.

Who is it for: brands that have a marketing all-rounder, executive or intern who has the time and capability to handle the management side but are needing more direction to maximise the use of social media in achieving their overall goals.

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Content Creator

‍A content creator is a highly creative individual who often specialises in either one of the following or a concoction of two or more creative skills: photography, videography, graphic design, illustration and animation. In some countries, is also a word used for a content writer (blogs). Content creators may or may not be social media managers nor strategists.‍

Who is it for: brands that have a solid strategy in place and the time/resources to handle social media management but need help in translating their vision into photos, videos, graphics and other visual assets.

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Community Manager

‍Comunity managers have a knack for building relationships online & offline and are responsible for creating & maintaining engagement. They respond to comments and DMs. They also actively reach out to grow the community and to connect with likeminded individuals, accounts, brands, etc. that the brand wants to build relationships with.

Community managers may or may not be a sales agent/representative nor a customer service/representative however they do require the sales and customer service knowledge to deliver exemplary customer service online.

They may or may not be a social media manager. In some companies, they may or may not be responsible for online or offline events. These last 4 points are good to have and are what makes community management pivotal in bridging gaps between social media, sales, customer service and other parts of the business.

‍Who is it for: brands with hundreds of unread messages and comments not replied to which results to losing out on sales and other marketing or growth opportunities.

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KEY TAKEAWAY: Every business requires different types of help. It is important to clearly identify what they are so that you are able to work with the right people with the right skill set. Social media is a rapidly growing industry that demands different roles and expertise as it evolves. The current state of social is very competitive and if you truly want to stand out and grow your business through social media, you need the right team with you.

If you are a conscious brand that is looking for help in creating intentional strategies to achieve your goals or are looking for a team who can handle all the key areas we mentioned above, browse our services and get in touch to inquire about working with us.

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