When I moved to the United States from Ecuador, everything was scary since I had to start from scratch.
I barely spoke any English since Spanish was all I spoke (I had to take online English lessons at the nearest library), and I had just enough savings to get by for a couple of months, which meant that I desperately needed a job.
Since language was still a bit of a barrier, I resorted to one of my best options: a good old online job. Upon researching, I finally came across a job titled Social Media Marketer, and without any second thoughts, I clicked on Apply.
Little did I know my life would change for the better. Bueno!
However, working as a social media marketer doesn’t only mean using apps for a couple of hours and then clocking out; there is a lot more to the job than you’d know. I’ve decided to take it upon myself to explain to you what a good marketer does (and what you need to achieve your goals), so make sure that you read to the end.
Precursors for the Job
Since the job is online, you must ensure that you have the right equipment for it. The first thing that you need is a good laptop, a functional one that meets the basic requirements. However, what’s more important is that you have a reliable internet connection that ensures you are connected at all times.
When I was starting, someone recommended Spectrum internet to me, and it was definitely a brilliant suggestion. Not only is the service affordable and reliable, but I love the fact that they offer a dedicated Spectrum Servicio al Cliente channel that makes it easy to speak to a Spanish-speaking representative who can help you sign up or troubleshoot.
Other than the laptop and internet, everything else depends on your preferences.
For instance, you may need an ergonomic chair, a comfortable workstation, a webcam (depending on your job requirements), and a mechanical keyboard if you like the click-y sound. You may also need a good smartphone if you wish to have more portability as you work.
Now, let’s move toward the skillset that you need.
Required Social Media Skills
Before you begin looking for jobs, you need to ensure you possess the necessary skills to secure employment. Some of these skills include:
· A Cursory Social Media Know-how: When I say “social media”, it’s an umbrella term that houses more than just one social media platform. The platforms usually include Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, TikTok, and X. Some companies may want platforms like WhatsApp and LinkedIn, but it all comes down to business needs. You’ll have to observe all of the platforms and see what kind of content they support. Learning how different platforms reward visibility is also important, especially when using Instagram features that boost your reach to improve engagement organically.
· Analytical Tools: If there’s one thing you need to learn, it’s how to recognize social media trends and follow them, since they are responsible for giving you the most engagement. In that case, you must know how to use analytical tools such as HubSpot and Hootsuite so that you can keep track of performance, view the latest trends, and eliminate digital risks for the business. Understanding how to use Instagram Insights can also help marketers identify what content performs best and how audiences interact with posts over time.
· Content Creation: If you really wish to succeed at this job, then you need a creative flair when it comes to content creation. You’ll have to prove your mettle on every platform, with engaging reels on Instagram to captivating posts on Reddit (the kind that get you a lot of upvotes). For that, you need to have a basic sense of design and editing, along with some brilliant writing skills.
All in all, you must be a master of storytelling and need to have a basic idea of visual composition in images and videos, even if it needs editing. As for the writing part, you need to know the best copywriting practices to make sure that you go a long way.
What’s Behind a Great Social Media Strategy?
Normally, social media is great for keeping in touch with your friends and family, but if you play your cards right, you can use it to turn the tide of a business and bring profit.
Here are some reasons why social media marketing is beneficial for businesses:
· Cost-Effectiveness: Most companies invest in paid ads, and that’s about it. But you can use social media organically to generate leads and sales. It’s up to you, the marketer, to come up with strategies and content that can help drive conversions. There is a lot of organic reach potential, so you need to make sure you give good thought to it. Many businesses improve those results with a clearer Instagram marketing strategy for real growth built around consistent content and audience targeting rather than relying only on ads.
· Brand Loyalty: There isn’t a better way to let people know how amazing your company is than social media, right? Once you attract people to the business, you can keep them hooked through social media as well. You can post discounts and deals on social media to keep the audience engaged.
· Greater Reach: Face it, today, you wouldn’t be able to market to a lot of people if you were doing it using traditional media. There are billions of social media users all over the world, which gives you a lot of ground to play with. You just need to filter out and narrow down your audience so that you can market the business effectively.
· Increased Conversions: The whole point of running an online marketing strategy is to generate leads, which can lead to sales. If your content is engaging enough, then even something as small as likes and comments on a post can lead to a fruitful conversion.
This was everything you needed to know about social media marketing to get you started. Once you learn all the necessary skills, all you have to do is head online and begin your job hunt.
Break a leg!
