In the same way that social media itself is always evolving, careers in the field are always changing too. In the early 2000s, social media managers had a very simple job description: increase the brand’s follower count on Twitter and Facebook, create daily product-focused posts using basic design templates, and respond to all comments. The goals and scope of SMMs were limited, and content that was successful in the early days would not be up to par today.
As social media grew more popular, businesses recognized it as a powerful marketing tool that needs time, dedication, strategy, and expertise. This created the need for the Social Media Manager role.
Today, Social Media Management is its own career and category of marketing. Agencies like ours are dedicated to the service and many professionals make a full-time living doing it. In 2024, the skillset of SMMs is extremely multifaceted and specialized. SMMs can even choose a particular platform or mode of content, such as TikTok, that they want to concentrate on. The offerings of a SMM can vary from person to person or business to business, however there are certain skills that every successful SMM in 2024 must have.
To understand more about what this profession looks like in 2024, we asked our Director of Social Media, Amanda Maxim, about what it means to be a SMM and the most important skills one needs.
“Being a Social Media Manager in 2024 means mastering the art of grabbing people’s attention online. These days, it’s all about figuring out how to stand out in the social media crowd. At Brick Media, we call our target audiences ‘cohorts,’ and one of the most crucial skills for an SMM is understanding these cohorts and getting into their mindset. Plus, staying on top of pop culture trends, keeping up with platform updates, and monitoring how posts are performing, is key for any SMM today.”
– Amanda Maxim, Director of Social Media
Social Media Managers at Brick Media oversee the accounts for their assigned clients, create high-quality content, work with our production team, write captions, and go to on-sight shoots. They meet regularly with the Director of Social Media, Account Managers, and clients. They engage on behalf of the clients on social media to foster growth and are committed to continually learning details and changes within in platform.
Whether you work at Brick or not, necessary skills for anyone in the profession include content creation, an eye for design, writing, videography and photography (iPhone or professional), and an understanding of analytics. Soft skills include adaptability, creativity, time management, excellent communication, and the ability to take constructive criticism.
While it’s not always required, SMMs may even go to school to prepare for the job. Typical majors include advertising and public relations, marketing, journalism, graphic design, and communications. Some schools are even beginning to implement more programs specifically about social media!
Social media management is one of the most dynamic job positions in today’s market. SMMs must be ready to adapt to change overnight and always be passionate about creating impactful content that helps their clients stand out! At the end of the day, a SMMs role is to aid the business’s growth through their social media presence.
We are very proud of our team of Social Media Managers here at Brick and love being a part of this new era of marketing!
