Before committing to a Social Media Manager career path, it is crucial to understand its daily tasks and workflow. Not all social media management positions are equal, and managerial roles are not for everyone.

If you want to be in social media management, your path may begin with a job as a Social Media Strategist, SEO Specialist, or similar role. You might also have management experience that can benefit you in the Social Media Manager role. 

Social Media Managers work in diverse spaces, from freelancing home offices to co-working spaces in corporate offices. Some are solo social media experts, but others supervise multiple content creators like Junior Marketing Specialists or Marketing Copywriters. Read on to learn more about the day-to-day career of social media management.

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.

Social Media Manager Specializations

Social Media Manager positions vary by industry, company, seniority, and title. A small company may hire one person to handle all social media marketing. By contrast, Social Media Managers for many larger organizations might oversee a team of specialists or analysts. These roles can have titles like:

Specializations among Social Media Managers can vary as much as titles. Some come to their role through marketing positions, others through SEO-based roles, and others have a combination of skills from a non-managerial position. Read on to learn more about the tools and skills a Social Media Manager will use throughout the day.

Starting Your Day

A Social Media Manager who works for a small to mid-size company may work with a team, outside clients, and upper management. Whether they work for a small private organization or a large corporation, most need several things to perform their tasks: a desktop or laptop, a mobile phone, and one or more platforms for managing and reporting. Depending on their industry and individual responsibilities, their day might look something like the following:

9 AM:

Many Social Media Managers start their day by checking their calendar for any unique meetings or calls scheduled, then reviewing and answering messages. These can include everything from voicemail to email, Slack, or another messaging app. They may also have to respond to comments on social media platforms.

Depending on the organization and company culture, the Social Media Manager may have to attend one or more meetings first thing in the morning. These can include a standup meeting with the team they oversee, a daily meeting with upper management, or a scheduled meeting with a client. Meetings with teams typically involve discussions of progress on current projects, while client meetings can require anything from checking in on them to a targeted discussion.

If time permits, a Social Media Manager may see what projects came in overnight, work on an existing project, and even take a break during the first two hours of the workday. Managers overseeing teams may need this time to prepare or deliver employee reviews, work on the company content calendar, or create or review reports on metrics like KPIs or ROI.

11 AM:

Social Media Managers may have to work on small, medium-sized, and large projects. These can range from creating graphics or videos for streaming platforms like TikTok or YouTube to managing the company content calendar (which can be extensive) and collaborating with teams, managers, or external partners to drive the social media strategy. If time doesn't permit addressing these projects within the first couple hours of the workday, the time between 11 and lunch can be ideal.

Many social media professionals create original content, and the period between breakfast and lunch can be uniquely productive. After attending meetings and answering messages, this timeframe may be the only one during the workday when the social media pro can work alone and uninterrupted. Content creation during this period can include creating or editing videos, blog posts, social media ads, or other projects.

The period between 11 AM and 2 PM will include a lunch break, which may or may not be flexible. Social Media Managers for larger companies may need more flexibility in their schedule, taking lunch with upper management or clients, and not necessarily at a set time. Managers in smaller companies may have to accommodate the scheduling needs of several co-workers, who may have breaks at predetermined times.

2 PM:

Some Social Media Managers typically must stay engaged with co-workers, clients, and management throughout the day. If a Social Media Manager returns from lunch and has some new business, this will be their priority. From there, they will likely review and answer messages on Slack, threads, or email. 

Many social media managers prefer to curate content in the morning, especially when editing video or text. However, others may find the period between lunch and the end of the day the best time for content curation. If they oversee a team, they may need to sign off on content others have created. That can be by message, email, or a document if the company requires such.

Social Media Managers who work for smaller organizations may have fewer formal procedures to give and receive feedback on their content. For example, a small firm may have one graphics person who works with the Social Media Manager. In such cases, the two employees will provide mutual feedback before submitting work to a client or management.

5 PM:

Wrapping up the workday can require multiple tasks for Social Media Managers. In many cases, the end of the day will look like the beginning: checking Slack, email, or voicemail and responding to comments on all socials. 

The end of the day may also be the best time to schedule new posts. Many Social Media Managers use an automated platform like Buffer, Sprout Social, or Hootsuite. Such platforms may have features like analytics and reporting tools that can provide information about audience engagement and strategy.

While social media pros who work for small companies may not have regular end-of-day meetings, a Social Media Manager at a larger organization may need a short daily with direct reports before leaving. These can be anything from brief check-ins with individual analysts to regularly scheduled standup meetings.

After Work

The workday for a Social Media Manager may be nine to five, but this is not always the case. Salaried positions can require working well beyond eight hours with no additional pay. Conversely, an hourly employee might earn time and a half for overtime. Most companies want to avoid paying more than the standard hourly rate. However, a problem with a deadline might cause the Social Media Manager to work overtime—whether alone or with workers they supervise.

Many Social Media Managers work for companies that reward innovation, professional development, and ongoing education. Professional development for Social Media Managers can include anything from digital marketing certification to management training. The following is a short list of possible certifications for social media pros.

  • Certified Digital Marketing Professional 
  • Facebook Certified Community Manager
  • Hootsuite Social Marketing Certification
  • Social Media Strategist Certification
  • Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) - Digital Marketing

The after-work hours schedule of a Social Media Manager will vary by position, company, and individual, but one factor remains common for all of them. That is the need to keep growing in the position. If you decide to follow a social media management career path, you must be willing to grow as a social media pro and a manager.

Professionals in management often attend conventions, workshops, or seminars to continue improving and building on soft skills like communication, conflict resolution, delegation, and leadership. Many also join professional organizations like networking or public speaking groups to continue growing in this exciting field.

Learn the Skills to Become a Social Media Manager at Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop offers numerous training options for students to learn social media management in person or online through teleconferencing. Topics include marketing, SEO, and Google Analytics, to name a few. Consider the following programs:

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Google Analytics Bootcamp - The Google Analytics Bootcamp introduces students to GA4, the newest analytics service from the tech giant. Topics include determining key performance indicators (KPIs), tracking ROI (return on investment) on marketing campaigns, and Google Analytics Reports. You can save by taking this bootcamp as part of the Digital Marketing Certificate program.
  • SEO Bootcamp - Also available through the Digital Marketing Certificate, Noble’s SEO Bootcamp is a 12-hour dive into the importance of search engine optimization. You'll learn keyword research techniques with Semrush, SEO for mobile, and numerous other subjects.
  • AI for Marketing - AI For Marketing is one of Noble Desktop’s most popular new courses, covering popular platforms like ChatGPT, Salesforce Einstein, and Google's Gemini AI. Applicants should understand social media marketing, SEO, and analytics before enrolling. You can save by taking AI for Marketing as part of the Generative AI Certificate program.