Discuss the importance of different job titles to determine the kind of work a Social Media Manager will do in their day-to-day, and how different Social Media Manager workers might specialize in different areas or develop advanced skill sets meriting different job titles. For instance, a Digital Marketing Specialist could specialize in the planning side of digital marketing and take a job as a Digital Marketing Strategist. A Digital Marketing Specialist with advanced skills in Google Analytics and data reporting could take a job as a Marketing Analyst.

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 Skills

Social Media Marketing

Social media management means social media marketing, among other responsibilities. While many Social Media Managers come to their roles from the tech world, even more come from marketing positions. Consider marketing the top priority for any social media management role.

SEO/SEM

Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, is an essential skill set that typically goes along with search engine marketing (SEM). A Social Media Manager should be proficient in these areas, regardless of background.

Google Ads & Analytics

If you plan to work in social media management, you must know how to use Google Ads, as many companies require it. The newest iteration of Google Analytics, GA4, features numerous tools, from tracking video engagement to landing page performance.

Adobe Creative Cloud

Video editing with Premiere Pro, managing images with Photoshop or Illustrator, and After Effects for motion graphics are all common features of the Adobe Creative Cloud. The platform is essential to many digital marketing strategists and analysts, especially Social Media Managers.

Soft skills for Social Media Managers include creativity, teamwork, and communication skills.

Social Media Manager Career Path

The Social Media Manager’s career path varies from individual to individual and company to company. Many organizations require a bachelor’s degree or higher for management positions. However, this is not always the case. You might be able to enter this career path without a degree, especially if you have a certificate of completion from a respected course provider. Programs like these often provide mentoring or job support, which can lead to finding an appropriate role.

Another option worth pursuing is social media freelancing. As a freelance Social Media Manager, you can serve multiple clients rather than a single employer. Working for yourself is not for everyone, but the flexibility and autonomy of freelancing appeal to many social media pros—especially in today’s gig economy. If you can weather the ups and downs of freelance income and work alone, consider whether social media freelancing is for you.

Social Media Manager

One of the best things about looking for a social media management job online is that most postings list Social Media Manager as the title. That keeps the search simple, although positions can vary widely based on location, industry, and the company’s size.

However, not all social media management roles have the word manager in the title. Small organizations may hire one employee to manage all their social media, and these roles can feature titles like Social Media Strategist or Specialist. If you want to get an entry-level or small-company position of this type, you might qualify through a bootcamp or certificate program.

Freelance Social Media Managers can give themselves any title they choose, but chances are they must include the phrase social media in their title to get hired. Most freelancers use Social Media Manager, Social Media Marketer, or Social Media Specialist as their title when reaching out to potential clients. Others add LinkedIn-style verbiage to their online profiles, highlighting experience or desired skills. Be careful about going overboard if you take this route. Calling yourself a rock star or an expert can backfire.

Social Media Specialist/Strategist

Social Media Specialist or Strategist are two popular titles for tech pros with social media experience. Most Social Media Manager positions do not use these titles, but some do. When searching for social media position job postings, read through ads with the Specialist or Strategist title. Many are entry-level positions, but a smaller organization might hire a single Social Media Specialist to manage all their social media platforms.

Many Social Media Specialists and Strategists have years of experience in their roles. They may specialize in a skill set essential to digital marketing, like copywriting, video editing, or paid search. A small company may hire a Social Media Strategist to focus on social platforms; however, a large organization may also require marketing and advertising across multiple other media, including TV, radio, or community events. Comparable titles can include Digital Media Strategist, Global Social Media Strategist, or Marketing Media Specialist, to name a few.

Marketing & Advertising Manager

Search online job postings for Marketing & Advertising Manager, and you might not expect to get results with social media in the title. This position does not always include social media strategy—some marketing or advertising management pros supervise Social Media Strategists—in other cases, the roles are interchangeable. For example, a company with a small social media staff may have a Marketing Manager responsible for all marketing and advertising, including digital platforms.

A Marketing or Advertising Manager for a large corporation typically oversees or works with a creative team that can include creative, account management, and tech support. However, a small to mid-sized company might have a Marketing Manager supervise a team of three to five direct reports who create and monitor social media and other digital marketing. Comparable titles include Social Media & Digital Engagement Manager, Digital Marketing Manager, Paid Social Manager, and Manager, Paid Social Media.

Digital Marketing Strategist

A Digital Marketing Strategist role may or may not be interchangeable with the Social Media Strategist position. Factors influencing the title include the industry, location, company, and whether the job requires supervising other employees. Search online job postings for Digital Marketing Strategists, and you might get results like Senior Marketing Strategist, a supervisory position requiring years of experience. You might also find listings for roles that require few to no social media platforms beyond LinkedIn.

Many of these positions require years of experience, specifically paid search experience. That is one of the most common differences between most Social Media Managers or Strategists and Digital Marketing Strategists. The Digital Marketing Strategist position typically emphasizes pay-per-click campaigns, whereas some social media pros work primarily with free content on popular platforms. Digital Marketing job qualifications usually include SEO and Google Ads/Analytics, focusing on the analytics side.

Comparable titles include:

  • Digital Marketing Specialist
  • Digital Strategist
  • Paid Media Strategist
  • SEO Specialist
  • Social Media Marketing Specialist
  • Social Media Strategist

Content Marketing & Creative Manager

Content Marketing & Creative Manager is one of the more unusual titles you may find when seeking Social Media Manager roles. The emphasis here is on the managerial aspect of this position. Comparable titles include Content Marketing Manager, Content Strategist, Marketing Manager, Brand Marketing Manager, Senior Content & Social Manager, or Senior Manager Content Marketing, to name a few.

Usually, a position with one of these or a comparable title is a supervisory role. However, it can be a solo social media management position. For example, one recent job listing for Content Strategist/Marketing Manager listed content creation and client relationship management as the primary requirements. Here, the emphasis is on content more than management.

Your Social Media Manager path will be much simpler if you know whether you prefer a particular industry, want to supervise others or focus mainly on content creation. Consider enrolling in a bootcamp or certificate program that features social media management or includes it within a broader marketing curriculum.

Why Become a Social Media Manager?

The reasons you might want to be a Social Media Manager are almost as varied as the many job titles social media pros can have and the many industries they can work in. Consider the following positions and how each might make sense along the Social Media Manager career path.

  • Content Creator - Many social media pros start in positions with titles like Content Creator, Content Strategist, Copywriter, or something similar. Jobs that require marketing can have a management-oriented goal.
  • Digital Analyst - A Digital Analyst typically studies marketing data, which means they report to a Marketing Manager. These skills pros must know essential social media tools like SEO and working with content management systems.
  • Marketing Manager - A Marketing Manager might specialize in social media marketing or make a lateral move to a Social Media Manager role. In some companies, the titles Social Media Manager and Marketing Manager are interchangeable.
  • SEO Specialist - Social Media Managers must have SEO knowledge, so the SEO Specialist position is another logical step toward management.
  • Social Media Strategist - The most common path to management is the entry-level Social Media Strategist role. A small company may hire a Social Media Strategist and make them the Social Media Manager by default.

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.