Social media goes beyond sharing content across various platforms to garner comments, follows, and likes. It’s a handy tool for connecting with existing and new audiences, building credibility, generating leads, and driving sales, to mention a few.
Many brands know these benefits but don’t know how to leverage social media. Without gainsaying, there are tons of opportunities waiting for you, even if you’re just delving into the industry. The good thing is that you don’t even need a college degree to get started.
Now that you’re ready to find your first social media job, here are some important steps you need to consider.
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· Define your area of specialization
The common social media careers include social media analyst, online community manager, and brand manager. Ensure you do your due diligence on different careers before settling for any. You may decide to start as a social media manager and move to other roles later.
Always remember that you don’t have to be stuck in a particular role. Keep growing your network not just for the sake of discovering new opportunities but for adding value as well.
The algorithm of each social media platform is constantly changing. That said, you need to understand how each channel works and stay on top of the trends.
· Invest in personal branding
Every successful social media professional takes personal branding seriously. So when it comes to this aspect, it’s either you go big or go home. Investing in personal branding offers a cost-effective way to show your expertise and sell yourself to prospective clients.
Once you’ve decided on your preferred platform(s), the next thing is to start engaging your audience with valuable content in different formats. Sharing interactive content is a smart way to spur engagement.
Embrace repurposing content to eliminate the need for creating fresh content all the time. Curate your profile in a way that it’s easier to convince your prospective customers you can deliver the desired results.
· Improve your skills
Even though it’s easy to get free information on any career online, it’s ideal to learn in a structured setting. More so, you can’t go far when you rely on freebies alone. Don’t hesitate to enroll in an online course once you come across a coach with proven results.
Another thing is to experiment with the latest social media tools relevant to your career. Learning other skills will also give you an edge over other applicants. For instance, if you have a flair for designing graphics, there’s nothing wrong with honing your skills.
Apart from taking advantage of online training, attend physical events, which will help you network too. Be passionate about personal development because your clients will expect you to have not just the skills that are relevant to your role but soft skills too.
· Focus on the human touch
A brand will struggle to communicate once it loses the human touch. It’s the key to building better relationships with customers both online and offline. Let your audience know that can emphasize with them, and you’re ready to proffer lasting solutions.
As you keep your human touch intact, make sure you do it respectably and maintain personal boundaries.
· Volunteer
Many social media newbies are often eager to volunteer their services. Even though this will help you build your portfolio and understand what works, bear in mind that every opportunity isn’t for you. You can start by volunteering at your family member’s or friend’s’ business.
Besides, look for a brand whose values align with yours and understand their goals so that you can design a clear-cut social media strategy.