The term "social media marketing" describes using social media platforms and websites to advertise products and services. It involves creating and sharing content, engaging with followers, running advertising campaigns, and analyzing data to improve marketing strategies. Social media marketing aims to increase brand awareness, generate leads, drive website traffic, and, most importantly, boost sales.

An essential aspect of receiving professional social media marketing training to set yourself up for a career change is learning what fields and industries you might find work in. Each industry will have different requirements and expectations for potential employees, and you should consider these expectations when you start your training. This is true for students who know what kind of work they want to do and those who aren’t sure what path to take.

What is Social Media Marketing?

Social media marketing uses platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and TikTok to connect with a target audience. Nearly 4.5 billion people use social media, making social media marketing a smart choice to help drive traffic, build a brand, and gain revenue. A solid social media marketing campaign consists of several steps. They include activities like deciding what type of content will attract your audience, regularly publishing content to maintain consistency, monitoring changes in the market, and analyzing data from social media channels so you understand what is working.

Read more about what social media marketing is and why you should learn it. 

What Can You Do with Social Media Marketing Skills?

Social media marketing is a powerful way to get the word out about your product or message, and you can do it for free. It doesn’t cost anything to open accounts on social media platforms, and many of the tools you need are free to use or have a free version. Analytical tools allow you to identify a target audience and tailor your message to them. Engagement tools let you interact with potential customers, get important feedback, see what your competitors are doing, and change your campaign as you need to. Social media marketing allows you to pinpoint your audience and advertise just to them.

Common Industries That Use Social Media Marketing

In the age of social media, some industries have embraced social media marketing more than others, and these industries are seeing significant growth in demand for marketing professionals. Below, we'll look at the industries that most commonly use social media marketing and explore the job outlook in these areas.

Hospitality and Tourism

Businesses in the hospitality and tourism sector use social media to promote their business and connect with their audience. They can use social media to showcase their services, highlight their unique selling points, and promote special offers and deals. By creating engaging and relevant content, businesses can increase brand awareness and loyalty, as well as drive traffic to their website and increase bookings. Social media also enables businesses like hotels and restaurants to respond to customer feedback and complaints, improving their reputation and customer service.

The job outlook for marketing professionals in hospitality and tourism is generally positive, focusing on digital marketing skills in response to changing consumer behavior and technological advancements. Marketing roles in hospitality and tourism can vary from traditional advertising and branding to digital marketing and social media management. The industry is continuously evolving, and marketing professionals must keep up with the latest trends, technologies, and customer expectations. Digital marketing has become increasingly critical in the hospitality and tourism industry with the rise of online travel agencies, online booking systems, and social media platforms. There is also a growing emphasis on sustainable tourism and eco-friendly practices, with more and more consumers seeking sustainable travel options.

Retail

Different types of retail items are best advertised on different social media platforms, depending on the nature of the product and the audience that it targets. For example, fashion items such as clothing, shoes, and accessories are well-suited to platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, where visually-focused content is vital. Brands can use high-quality images and videos to showcase their products in use and leverage the power of influencer partnerships to reach their target audience. On the other hand, tech gadgets and electronics may benefit from platforms like YouTube and Reddit, where in-depth reviews, demos, and tutorials are more suitable. These platforms allow brands to showcase the features and functionality of their products in greater detail and provide a platform for user-generated content and discussions. 

Home decor and furniture brands may succeed on platforms like Facebook and Houzz, where users can browse catalogs and explore design ideas. Brands can use these platforms to share design inspiration, tips and tutorials, and showcase their products in real-life settings. Overall, successful social media advertising campaigns depend on understanding the unique characteristics of each platform and using them to showcase products in the most effective way possible.

Entertainment

The entertainment industry leverages social media platforms to connect with its audience and promote its content. Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter provide an ideal space for entertainment companies to share trailers, behind-the-scenes content, and sneak peeks of upcoming releases. These engaging spaces also allow for real-time communication with fans, enabling celebrities and influencers to connect with their followers more personally. 

The job outlook for marketing careers in the entertainment industry is competitive but promising. With the ever-changing landscape of digital marketing, marketing professionals in the entertainment industry must be skilled in utilizing the latest trends and technologies to reach and engage with their target audience. Available roles are typically found in studios, production companies, networks, and media companies. Marketing professionals who can navigate the evolving media landscape and effectively promote entertainment content are in high demand.

Healthcare

Social media platforms have provided healthcare providers and organizations with a powerful tool to reach a wider audience and connect with patients in new and innovative ways. Social media can promote healthcare services, share health-related information, and educate patients about various health conditions and treatments. Additionally, social media can be used to improve patient engagement and communication, allowing patients to ask questions, provide feedback, and share their experiences. Healthcare organizations can also use social media to build trust and establish themselves as thought leaders in their field.

The job outlook for marketing professionals in healthcare is strong and growing. With the increasing demand for healthcare services and the rise of digital technologies, there is a growing need for marketing professionals who can help healthcare providers and organizations to promote their services and engage with patients. Healthcare marketing roles can vary from traditional advertising and branding to digital marketing and social media management. Marketing professionals with a background in healthcare are highly sought after and can find opportunities in hospitals, clinics, insurance companies, and pharmaceutical firms. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 10% growth rate in marketing-related jobs from 2020 to 2030, emphasizing digital marketing skills.

Learn Social Media Marketing Skills with Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop’s social media marketing courses teach skills that can help you start a career in the industry. Classes are small, with expert instructors, and you can retake a course for free up to a year. In the Social Media Marketing Certificate, you will learn about strategy development, content creation, brand building, analytics, and conversion optimization. 

Noble Desktop also offers more detailed courses for those looking to hone their skills on specific channels, such as Facebook Marketing, email marketing, Social Media Content Marketing: Blogs & Twitter, and Video Marketing: TikTok & YouTube. Further resources include Noble’s seminar on YouTube entitled The Pillars of Digital Marketing Success.

Key Takeaways

• Social media marketing refers to the use of various social media platforms to promote a brand, product, or service to a specific target audience.
• The entertainment industry benefits from social media by engaging with fans and creating buzz for upcoming releases.
• Social media marketing is helpful in tourism to share photos and videos showcasing enticing travel experiences.
• The healthcare industry uses social media to share health-related information and educate patients about various conditions and treatments.
• Noble Desktop provides professional and comprehensive training in social media marketing, which is available in person or online.