Useful subjects include:
- marketing and public relations
- digital and social media marketing
- internet design
- digital media and communication
- business management
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels for a degree
Social media manager
Alternative titles for this job include Social media strategist, social media specialist, online community manager, social media marketing manager
Social media managers communicate with organisations’ customers and clients through social media channels.
Average salary (a year)
£23,000 Starter
to£75,000 Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
38 to 40 a week
You could work
evenings / weekends attending events or appointments
How to become a Social media manager
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
University
Apprenticeship
You could start out by taking an advanced apprenticeship as a digital marketer.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), usually including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
More information
Work
You can get the experience you need to get into this job by showing that you understand and use social media. You can do this by:
- managing your own social media profiles
- setting up and writing your own blog, and tracking use and popularity
- getting involved in social media for the company you already work for
- experience of graphic design and digital editing software for adding videos, images and infographics
You'll keep up to date by joining webinars about social media trends.
Volunteering and experience
You could get experience by volunteering to manage a charity's social media channels.
More information
Professional and industry bodies
Membership of a professional body like the Chartered Institute of Marketing can offer you extra benefits. This includes attending events like conferences and seminars, keeping a record of your personal development and getting access to advice from a mentor.
Further information
You can find information on training from the The Institute of Direct and Digital Marketing and the CAM Foundation.
You can find out more about marketing careers through the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- knowledge of media production and communication
- knowledge of English language
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- excellent verbal communication skills
- the ability to sell products and services
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- the ability to use your initiative
- you will be expected to use a computer confidently as part of this job.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
Your duties may include:
- updating social media sites
- writing blogs, articles and posts
- responding to social media posts and developing discussions
- checking online for company mentions and customer feedback
- searching for interesting posts, news and articles to attract site visitors
- overseeing competitions and campaigns promoting your company
- taking part in conferences and group chat relevant to your industry or company
- educating other staff on social media use
- promoting social media use within your company
- developing strategies to increase your audience
- using social media tools like Hootsuite, TweetDeck or Buffer to manage multiple sites
- using web tracking tools like Google Analytics, Social Report or Bitly
Working environment
You could work in an office.
Career path and progression
With experience, you could move into managing social media for larger companies or progress to a senior or head social media manager job.Training opportunities
Apprenticeships In England
Digital Marketing Assistant Apprentice
- Wage : £187.50 Weekly
- Location: Bath BA1 1JS
Apprentice Digital Marketer
- Wage : £160.00 Weekly
- Location: Saltash PL12 6AF
Courses In England
L3 Diploma in Digital Marketing
- Provider: Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College
- Start date: 05 November 2019
- Location: London
Business Management (Digital Marketing) - Foundation Degree
- Provider: BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGE
- Start date: 10 September 2019
- Location: Blackpool