Digitalization has had its impact on every sector. With the growth of the digital world, the concept of marketing has also switched to online platforms in which social media plays a vital role, thereby bringing in the role of Social Media Manager. A Social Media Manager is a qualified and skilled professional who represents the company or an entity. A Social Media Manager is the sole connection between the company and its target audiences.
To become a Social Media Manager, the minimum qualification needed is a graduation degree across any stream. Yet, a candidate with a bachelor's in Digital Marketing, such as BBA in Marketing or Bachelor’s in Journalism and Mass Communication (BJMC) and related fields is preferred. A post-graduation in the related stream adds an extra badge to the candidate's profile and makes the candidate more competent in becoming a Social Media Manager.
A Social Media Manager manages and promotes the company’s business on various social media platforms by putting engaging content on the media platforms. Thus, the necessary skills to become a Social Media Manager include SEO knowledge, Managing and handling social media platforms, good knowledge of digital marketing and having creative writing skills etc. These skills can be obtained through various online courses on digital marketing, social media marketing, social media management etc available on various online platforms like Udemy, Coursera, Upgrad etc. Also Read: How to Become a Digital Marketer
Social Media Managers are recruited by almost every company or corporate entity with an average salary of 5 LPA - 18 LPA. Top recruiters for Social Media Managers are Accenture, Dell Technologies, and HCL Technologies.
Table of Contents
- How to Become a Social Media Manager: Quick Facts
- What does a Social Media Manager do
- Qualification of Social Media Manager
- Eligibility to Become a Social Media Manager
- Types of Social Media Managers
5.1 SEO Manager
5.3 PR Manager
5.4 Content Manager
How to Become a Social Media Manager: Quick Facts
| Eligibility | Bachelors in digital marketing or relevant fields |
| Skills Required | SEO, Google analytics, Keyword research, Copywriting skills |
| Top Recruiters | Accenture, Amazon, Dell Technologies |
| Starting Salary (INR) | 2.5 LPA |
| Average Salary (INR) | 3 LPA - 6 LPA |
| Highest Salary (INR) | 21 LPA |
What does a Social Media Manager do
Social Media Managers are responsible for the promotion of a company by developing strategies to increase followers, creating and overseeing social campaigns, producing content, reviewing analytics, and communicating with the stakeholders of the company. Read: What does a Digital Marketer do
Some of the other major responsibilities of a Social Media Manager involve,
- Increasing followers and driving their engagement.
- Strategizing content and campaigns for the company's products and services.
- Analyzing data to draw conclusions about how the company’s contents are performing.
- Posting and monitoring social media platforms.
- Strategize and execute digital marketing campaigns.
Qualifications of a Social Media Manager
The list of educational qualifications required to become a Social Media Manager is listed below for your reference. Also Check: Digital Marketer Qualifications
- They must complete their class 12 board exams from a recognized board with an average aggregate score of 50% and above across any stream
- They must then complete their graduation and post-graduation across various subjects such as Digital Marketing, Journalism and Mass Communication, and Marketing.
- Some of the top course choices for Social Media Managers are Bachelor in Digital Marketing, BBA Marketing, Bachelor in Journalism and Mass Communication (BJMC), Diploma in Digital Marketing, MBA Marketing Management
- Admissions to these courses are done both on the basis of entrance exams as well as on the basis of merit, depending on the college that one chooses to get admission into.
Eligibility to Become a Social Media Manager
A Social Media Manager job involves the promotion of the company’s business by implementing various business strategies which makes it essential for them to gain sufficient knowledge of content management, excellent copywriting skills etc. Read More: Eligibility to Become a Digital Marketer
In order to attain the major skills required to become a Social Media Manager, listed below are the eligibility criteria for your reference,
- Bachelor's degree in any stream is mandatory while a bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, advertising, public relation, and digital marketing are preferred.
- Additional certifications such as Google Analytics and Google AdWords generally are preferred.
- Along with these candidates with other associated skill sets such as excellent communication skills, copywriting skills, marketing connection, marketing strategies making abilities, content management skills, social media management and handling skills would be given an added preference
- The age limit for becoming a Social Media Manager is not prescribed yet a diploma/graduation degree is essential.
Types of Social Media Managers
Social Media Managers can be further classified into 4 categories depending on their job role and position. Tabulated below are the major categories along with their responsibilities and average salary
SEO Managers
| Duties | Developing and implementing effective search engine optimization (SEO) strategies, Coordinating content, design, social media, pay-per-click (PPC) marketing and other activities etc. |
| Average Salary | 6 LPA |
Advertising Managers
| Duties | Overseeing advertising department operations, Developing advertising strategies to increase buyer interest in products or services etc. |
| Average Salary | 5 LPA |
PR Specialists
| Duties | PR Specialists are in charge of coordinating all public relations activities, developing a marketing communications plan including strategy, goals, budget and tactics. They develope a media relations strategy, seeking high-level placements in print, broadcast and online media etc. |
| Average Salary | 5 LPA |
Content Managers
| Duties | management and development of activity on core social media channels with the aim of driving engagement, building an audience, increasing web traffic and ultimately driving website registrations etc. |
| Average Salary | 6 LPA |
How to Become a Social Media Manager in India
To become a Social Media Manager in India, a graduation degree from any stream is an essential requisite. Apart from a graduation degree, creative thinking and writing ability, and good knowledge of social media working managing and handling are also essential for becoming a Social Media Manager. These skills needed for becoming a Social Media Manager need to be groomed in the early stage of learning.
School Level Preparation: In order to become a Social Media Manager in India, preparation starts right from the school level i.e. after the 10th board exams through various online and offline certification courses which are helpful in grooming the related skills. Few of these courses which are helpful to become a Social Media Manager and can be pursued after the 10th are:-
- A complete digital marketing course provided by Udemy.
- Social media marketing mastery course provided by Udemy.
- Social media marketing and management masterclass course provided by Udemy.
- Digital marketing strategy and planning course provided by Coursera.
- Use Canva to create social media visuals for business courses provided by Coursera.
How to Become a Social Media Manager After 12th
UG Preparation: After completion of 12th, to become a Social Media Manager, students can opt for the following courses for their graduation degree.
- After completion of the 12th board, students must focus on clearing the entrance exams for the different courses which are helpful in providing them with the skills needed to become a Social Media Manager.
- The most desired courses for becoming a Social Media Manager are a bachelor's in Business administration (BBA), Bachelor's in digital marketing, Bachelor's in Journalism and mass communication (BJMC).
- During their undergraduate courses, students must focus on grooming skills like digital marketing, social media handling and managing and creative writing etc. which are essential to become a Social Media Manager.
- Candidates opting for PG courses, should start preparing for various related competitive exams like CAT, XAT, MAT, IIMC entrance for PGJMC and MAJMC etc.
PG Preparation: A post-graduate degree adds an extra badge to the candidates’ profile for becoming a Social Media Manager. The PG preparation for becoming Social Media Manager includes:-
- Clearing the related competitive exam for the desired PG courses.
- Selecting streams and courses as per candidates’ own strengths, understanding and preferences.
- Grooming digital marketing skills and technical skills needed for becoming a Social Media Manager through related courses available online and offline.
- Internship, project work and different assignments related to the skills associated for the position of Social Media Manager are mostly desired.
Social Media Marketing Courses
Tabulated below are the various Social Media Marketing courses that can be pursued in order to become a Social Media Marketing Manager.
| Parameters | MBA in Digital Marketing | BJMC | PGDJMC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2 years | 3 years | 1-year |
| Eligibility | Graduation | 12th | Graduation |
| Top Colleges | IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Calcutta | IIMC | IIMC |
| Entrance Exams | CAT, MAT, XAT etc. | IIMC entrance exam | IIMC entrance followed by GD |
| Average Course Fees | INR 50,000- 1,50,000 Per semester | INR 10,000- 1,00,000 Per semester | INR 12,000- 3,50,000 yearly |
| Average Salary | 2.9 LPA - 20 LPA | 2.5 LPA- 8 LPA | 3 LPA - 12 LPA |
Skills Required to Become a Social Media Manager
Some of the essential skill sets that are required in order to become a Social Media Manager are tabulated below for your reference.
| Social media expertise | Communication skill | Knowledge of SEO |
| Copywriting skills | Knowledge of digital marketing | Graphic designing skills |
| Creative writing | Marketing connection | Organizational skill |
Benefits of Being a Social Media Manager
Listed below are some of the perks that are enjoyed by Social Media Managers for your reference.
- Create engaging content for your target audience: A Social Media Manager is responsible for creating such engaging content for various social media platforms that the target audience gets attracted towards it. These engaging contents can be created through animations, audio-visual words etc.
- Managing and day-to-day handling of social media: A Social Media Manager is the handler and manager of the company’s social media sites. They are the sole entity to make a healthy connection between the company and its consumer worldwide through social media.
- Create good marketing connections: A Social Media Manager is responsible for making marketing connections for the company through various marketing and digital communication strategies.
- Develops organizational skills: A Social Media Manager is responsible for reaching out to various target audiences through social media and is the sole entity responsible for connecting customers and the company through marketing and digital skills, great organizational skill is needed for the purpose.
- Working with top MNCs with good salaries: Being a Social Media Manager opens opportunities to work with top MNCs like Accenturewritingechnologies, HCL etc. which are providing good salary packages starting from 3 LPA to 22 LPA.
- Develops designing and writing creativity: In order to create engaging content for the target audiences on social media and other media platforms, a Social Media Manager needs to provide content filled with creative writing, animations etc.
Social Media Manager Jobs
After completing a degree in relevant subjects, some of the crucial job responsibilities and job profiles that can be opted for a Social Media Manager are tabulated below.
| Job Profiles | Job Description |
|---|---|
| SEO Manager | SEO Managers are in charge of Developing and implementing effective search engine optimization (SEO) strategies · Coordinating content, design etc. for social media platforms |
| Content Manager | Content Managers are in charge of developing the company's brand and establishing its online presence through engaging content. |
| Advertising Manager | Advertising Managers direct a company's advertising activities and staff members to develop creative, consistent brand-specific ad campaigns. |
| PR Manager | Coordinating all public relations activities · Developing a marketing communications plan including marketing strategy and product promotions. |
| Digital Marketing Manager | They are responsible for maintaining a brand's online presence and sales by working on various marketing campaigns. |
Social Media Manager Scope
Social Media Manager is an emerging career scope for many digital career aspirants across any company. With the growth of social media, companies are trying to reach their customers and expand their business through social media platforms. Thus, the scope for Social Media Manager positions is wide and gives better career growth.
It is reported that in the last 5 years, the recruitment of Social Media Managers has increased from 12% to 23% across the top digital marketing companies globally. In India, PR companies and other social media management companies came into existence in the past few years giving wider scope for candidates to become Social Media Managers.
From government to corporate entities, Social Media Managers are one of the most pursued job roles across the country. The scope of Social Media Managers is not just limited to the corporate world but it has made a huge impact in political campaigning too providing a vast range of diverse work experience to young social media professionals.
Top Recruiters for Social Media Managers
Tabulated below are some of the top companies that hire Social Media Managers across various positions and designations.
| Accenture | Fox digital | Tata Consultancy services |
| Dell Technologies | HCL technologies ltd. | Swiggy |
| Amazon | Thomas cook ltd. | Genpact |
Social Media Manager Salary
Tabulated below is the average salary of a Social Media Manager across various designations and posts for your reference.
| Designation | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| PR and Social Media Manager | 7 L |
| Manager Digital and Social Media | 6 L |
| Social media product manager | 7 L |
| Social Media Community Manager | 6 L |
| Social Media Analyst | 5 L |
How to Become a Social Media Manager: FAQs
Ques. How to become a Social Media Manager?
Ans. One can become a Social Media Manager after a graduation degree with the necessary skills of managing social media platforms which include creative writing, digital marketing etc.
Ques. How can a fresher become a Social Media Manager?
Ans. A fresher graduate can become a Social Media Manager by gaining skills and experience related to creative writing, and digital marketing through courses in digital marketing, journalism, creative writing and other related fields offered by different Institutions like IIM, IIMC and online platforms like Udemy, Coursera etc.
Ques. What qualifications do you need to be a Social Media Manager?
Ans. The necessary qualifications to be a Social Media Manager is a graduation degree with good communication skills.
Ques. What does a Social Media Manager actually do?
Ans. Social Media Managers are in charge of representing a company across social channels as the sole voice of the brand. They respond to comments, compile campaigns and create content.
Ques. How to start a career as a Social Media Manager?
Ans. With a graduation degree and expertise in handling and managing social media platforms, one can start a career as a Social Media Manager in any company.
Ques. What is the average salary a Social Media Manager gets?
Ans. A Social Media Manager makes a salary between 3 to 18 LPA with an average of 6 LPA.
Ques. What are the courses best for Social Media Managers?
Ans. Online courses on digital marketing provided by Coursera, Udemy etc., and a graduate degree in digital marketing, Journalism, and computer applications are the best courses for becoming a Social Media Manager.
Ques. What degree is best for a Social Media Manager?
Ans. MBA in Digital Marketing, BCA, Bachelor in journalism and mass communication (BAJMC), Master in Journalism and mass communication (MAJMC) etc. are the best degrees available to become a Social Media Manager.
Ques. What skills are needed to become a Social Media Manager?
Ans. The skills needed to become a Social Media Manager includes creative writing, digital marketing, SEO knowledge, social media management and handling etc.
Ques. Who are the Top recruiters of Social Media Manager profiles?
Ans. Top recruiters for Social media profiles are Accenture, HCL, IBM, Dell Technologies, Cognizant etc.
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