How to become a social media manager

The age of social media is here to stay, with such tools becoming a marketing staple and a standard means of communication for everyday users. Recent years have seen a stark rise in the numbers of social media activity – a trend only set to grow in the years to come.

With our increasing reliance on such platforms, the social media field is bound to experience an exciting rise in career opportunities; these including roles within content creation, strategy, and general social media management.

Offering generous salaries, a strong job outlook, and ripe with exciting innovations – the industry is an understandably attractive career path.

For those keen to make a living off their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram obsessions, we explore the steps towards becoming a successful social media manager in Australia. 

How can I become a social media manager in Australia?

1. Familiarise yourself with popular social platforms.

Crafting effective social media strategies requires a strong knowledge of the most common, popular sites. These offer a starting point for you to practice your online marketing and content creation skills, helping you build experience in the most sought-after social media tools and platforms.

Dabbling among multiple popular sites can also help you familiarise yourself with a variety of online audiences, content types, content formats, and platform analytics.

As of January, 2021 – Facebook stands as having the highest number of monthly active users (16 million) in Australia, followed by YouTube (15 million), and Instagram (9 million). In terms of business usage, Facebook is also a leading platform for brand marketing among small-to-medium companies; though around one in three also tend to flock to LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter to build their online presence.

2. Enhance your skills through an online course.

Developing your own social media presence gives you a chance to personally experiment with building a following, engaging an audience, and crafting innovative, stand-out content. However – while independent experience is valuable, professional training can help you certify your skills for the job market. 

Grab employer attention through a nationally recognised qualification in social media, many of which are now offered online. Such programs can help you further your talents through projects, assessments, and industry information, ensuring they’re up-to-standard for any professional business or organisation. Upskilled, for instance, offers a variety of courses in the field, arming students with the qualified training they need for entry-level employment.

3. Gain work experience.

Once you’ve gained independent practice and/or professional training, it’s time to get some work experience under your belt. Baby steps are key; attaining the role of a social media manager may not happen off the bat, but you can climb your way to the role through smaller, entry-level positions. This can include work as a social media coordinator, a creative assistant, or a content creator. As you build experience and greater skills through these roles, you’ll eventually gain the credentials required of a managerial position. 

Internships and volunteer opportunities are also incredibly valuable when starting out in the job market. Don’t hesitate to reach out to small businesses or student organisations who may need help in managing their social media presence. Offering your expertise not only gives you the chance to help others, but it also effectively expands your network, portfolio, and skills in a professional setting.

4. Promote your skills through social media.

As a social media marketing expert, promoting yourself through these platforms is crucial. Not only does this demonstrate your experience, understanding, and creativity with such tools, it’s also an effective way of connecting and reaching out to potential employers.

After all, social media has become an increasingly popular recruitment method, with LinkedIn leading in the professional hunt for talent. Aspiring social media managers are thus advised to build themselves an engaging, up-to-date online presence, using these platforms to actively showcase their skills and experience. Use their online communities to your advantage as well, by following companies you may be interested in, networking with key figures, or building connections with hiring managers.

What courses should I take to become a social media manager?

1. SMC-Essentials - Social Media Essentials.

Social media “beginners” may wish to brush up on the basics through a Social Media Essentials course. This program will cover the fundamentals of digital and social media marketing – such as how to identify, target, and engage with a specified audience. Students will also learn the specifics of marketing on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, helping familiarise them with each platform’s unique tools and analytical features.

This course is made up of 5 modules and takes up to 5 weeks to complete. 

2. SMC-Intensive - Social Media Intensive.

If you’ve got the basics down, you may want to further your marketing strategy and online branding tactics. Our Social Media Intensive course explores the more technical aspects of social media management, training students in areas of copywriting, email marketing, content marketing, and crafting a distinctive personal brand. 

The program also includes training modules dedicated to a multitude of specific platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube; equipping them with the skills to navigate these sites and create content for their unique audiences.

This course is made up of 10 modules and takes up to 10 weeks to complete.

3. 10904NAT - Diploma of Social Media Marketing.

Ready to kickstart your career in the industry? Get a professional head start through the 10904NAT - Diploma of Social Media Marketing, a highly comprehensive training program to advance one’s skills in social media strategy, marketing, and management. This thorough course helps equip students with the practical expertise to optimise, analyse, and leverage social media platforms to enhance a business’ profits, brand presence, and online conversions. Individuals will also explore fundamental concepts in general marketing and project management.

This course comprises 9 units of competency and takes up to 12 months to complete. 

Kickstart your career in social media today!

Social media is no longer a business option – but a necessity. In today’s ever-digitised age, those who lack an engaging, active online presence are sure to lag behind. Professionals with the skills to optimise such platforms are bound to see greater career opportunities in the years to come.

Those who aspire to a social media management career can find the training they need through online courses delivered by Upskilled. Covering both the fundamental and technical knowledge of the sector, qualified students will equip themselves with the skills required to stand out in the job market.

Turn your social media addiction into a full-blown career, and enquire with us on a course today.