Certifications can play an essential role in social media management. Though not required for every Social Media Manager position, certification demonstrates that a job candidate has expertise in a relevant area for that field.

A certification is a benchmarked professional credential, typically earned through a standardized exam. It differs from a certificate, which is like a minor diploma. Certificate programs cover multiple topics, whereas certification usually refers to a single skill set like Google Ads or Amazon Web Services (AWS). Read on to learn more about the social media management certification process.

What is a Social Media Manager?

Most Social Media Managers combine their marketing expertise with management skills. They may design, curate, and manage an organization’s social media content, especially in smaller companies. Larger organizations may require a Social Media Manager to partner with a creative team and outside agencies to oversee everything from short-form videos to marketing campaign strategies.

Job Responsibilities

There are just as many typical responsibilities for Social Media Managers as there are positions. These vary by seniority, industry, and title. Social media management positions can require duties like video editing for YouTube or TikTok, writing blog articles, attending trade shows, and managing search optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM), to name a few.

Reporting Structure for This Position

Some Social Media Managers oversee all their organization's social media and marketing projects, whereas others work with a larger team. Small company Social Media Managers may report directly to upper management, whereas in larger organizations, they may work with a Development Director, Executive Director, or Programming Manager.

Typical Working Environment

While there is no typical working environment for all Social Media Managers due to the diversity of positions, a team approach is the most common in large organizations. In addition to their combination of technical skills like SEO or Google Analytics, Social Media Managers need soft skills like creativity, excellent written and verbal skills, and the ability to multi-task on several projects at a time.

Social Media Managers need multiple hard and soft skills to qualify for their positions. Although these can vary by company, industry, or specific role, consider the following among the most common.

Do I Need a Degree to Become a Social Media Manager?

Education is essential to many careers, both formal schooling and on-the-job training. Social media management training can include practical experience as well as theoretical training.

Although a bachelor’s or master’s degree may be a standard requirement for some positions, this is not always the case with social media management. Scan online job postings, and you will find some Social Media Manager roles that require an associate degree or do not list any degree whatsoever.

Supervisory positions in well-known companies typically require college degrees, but not as a hard and fast rule before hiring. For example, a company that employs a valued Social Media Strategist might promote them to management or reimburse them for needed schooling before promoting them.

Social Media Managers with degrees often come from communications, journalism, marketing, or public relations backgrounds. Some positions require experience, while salary corresponds to a particular set of skills or industry-specific knowledge in others. However, the lack of a formal degree does not necessarily exclude strong candidates from specific social media management roles. A certificate of completion from a respected course provider can often open the door to a full-time position that includes healthcare benefits and paid time off (PTO).

Do Certifications Matter for Social Media Managers?

How much a social media management certification will matter for your career depends on several factors. First is the industry or sector. If you work for a digital marketing company, or in a large marketing department for a major corporation, you might benefit. For example, companies that use HubSpot might prefer a Social Media Manager with the HubSpot Content Hub for Marketers or Social Media Marketing Certification II credential.

Social Media Managers with marketing companies typically stand out from other candidates if they hold a relevant marketing or industry-specific certification. This is also the case for freelance Social Media Managers. However, while certification can be helpful, it is not usually essential to finding work in the field.

Certifications vs. Certificates: What’s the Difference?

Certificates are generally completion-based programs. With certification, the student usually must sit for an exam administered by a third party to demonstrate their mastery of a subject. Certification typically demands hands-on experience and enough knowledge to pass the exam. Many course providers offer certification exam preparation, but this does not necessarily mean they administer the exams.

Instead of working to qualify for a certification credential, most social media pros are better off enrolling in a comprehensive certificate program. These in-depth courses usually provide significant, essential training in a concentrated timeframe. However, some positions may advertise a preference for Social Media Managers certified in Google Ads or Analytics, HubSpot, or Amazon Web Services. Check local listings in multiple industries to see if you will benefit before you commit to sitting for a certification credential.

How to Get Certified as a Social Media Manager

The first step to getting certified as a Social Media Manager is to select a certification program and exam that matches your goals and budget. If you want to specialize in an area like Google Ads, look for classes like Google Ads Apps, Creative, Display, Search, or Video. For a certificate of completion, consider the Social Media Marketing or Digital Marketing certificates from Noble Desktop. Exam prep is crucial because it allows you to interact with other participants and gain knowledge from expert instructors.

After completing a relevant course, you will be ready to take the appropriate exam. Every certification exam is different. Most are proctored by a third party and vary in topic, length, and delivery method. Once you have passed the exam, you must learn the requirements to maintain your certification. Although some require you to retake the exam every few years, others might have to be updated annually. If you graduate from a certificate program, you do not need to retake it. However, some course providers, including Noble Desktop, allow you to retake it for up to one year at no additional charge.

Top Certifications & Certificates for Social Media Manager

  • Social Media Marketing Certificate - The Social Media Marketing Certificate emphasizes social without delving into SEO or Google Ads/Analytics. This immersive 72-hour certificate covers LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, and other platforms alongside social media content marketing. Attendees learn hands-on as they create a professional-level portfolio.
  • Digital Marketing Certificate - Noble’s Digital Marketing Certificate program is Noble Desktop's primary program for students looking to get on the marketing career track. You and your classmates will gain a deep understanding of digital marketing from every angle. Topics include Google Ads and Analytics, SEO, email marketing, and social media marketing campaigns, to name a few.
  • Meta Certified Digital Marketing Associate - If Facebook is an essential platform for your organization, the Meta Certified Digital Marketing Associate certification might be an excellent option. Meta Blueprint provides courses and a downloadable digital marketing guide to help students prepare for the exam.
  • Google Ads Apps Certification - This credential shows your ability to create successful Google Ads campaigns that drive marketing success. You can access training materials directly through your Google account in the Skillshop Google Ads Certifications page. Graduates must retake and pass the certification assessment annually to upkeep certification.