3 Big Misconceptions Towards Social Media Experts

Ten years ago, working in social media was quite a rarity because not many businesses saw the point of social network exposure. Fast forward to today and it seems that every company in the world is looking for someone to fill the position of social media manager. In many ways, this seems like the dream job: you get to work on a platform that you know like the back of your hand, have minimal interaction with clients and enjoy a flexible schedule. However, approaching this job with expectations of high pay and minimal responsibility is unrealistic, to say the least. Social media can be a demanding field and it requires hard work as much as talent. There are many misconceptions about it, and it’s very important to separate facts from fiction before pursuing a career in this field.

Myth #1: Anyone can be a social media manager

At the end of 2017, Facebook had 2.2 billion active users, but not all of these users are cut out to be social media experts. Having a social media account, on Facebook or another network, is barely the minimal requirement.  The list of duties and requirements for the social media manager position is long and requires a working knowledge of marketing, analytics, customer engagement and public relations. Social media experts are expected to be creative, proactive individuals who can develop long-term plans that boost the brand’s visibility on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. More often than not, you also need to have basic SEO knowledge, be familiar with social media management tools and display visual intelligence.

Myth #2: Experience is optional

Although it’s not impossible to work in social media without prior experience, these jobs are more likely to be internships or entry-level. The social media expert is the brand’s ambassador on social networks, so respectable companies usually look for people who have done this before or have had formal education in the field. Experience of 2+ years in social media or marketing is a plus, as is a degree in marketing, social studies, public relations or economics. Forward Pathway reports that careers in social media are more coveted than ever, which is why students ask for optional courses on this topic, as well as internship opportunities during college.

Myth #3: Social media is a low-responsibility field

Representing a brand on social media is the complete opposite of sharing status updates with friends and family. Although social media managers can have flexible schedules, their job is not free of responsibility. On the contrary, they are accountable for the decisions they make, and their strategy can influence the public perception of the brand. Needless to say, one single misplaced or inappropriate post can cause a media storm and tarnish the company’s reputation. Social media brand fails causes more than just an awkward moment, so every manager needs to carefully plan every post knowing that it will be subject to public scrutiny. Grammatical mistakes, unfortunate wording, cultural innuendos are huge mistakes that can cost you your job, so responsibility is a trait that comes in handy.

We hope you found the promoted post as informative & entertaining as we did!