Don't Get It Twisted ~ The Life Of A Social Media Marketer

Infographic Credit: bufferapp.com

   Social Media Marketing Manager, Social Media Marketing Coach, Social Media Marketing Consultant, Content Creator, Content Curator, Community Manager, Digital Marketing Manager and the list of titles really can go on and on and on and on.  Every time I look up, there is a new title created but the one thing that they all have in common is that they fall under the main category of a Social Media Marketing.  

  Hello.  I'm Valarie Harris, a Social Media Marketing Coach and let me tell you, I've done all of the above and some in my business but I choose to focus on coaching.  Why you may ask?  Well it is my mission, to empower business owners on social media marketing best practices and provide them with the knowledge and skills necessary to grow their audience, increase engagement and bring awareness to their brand.  

    During my first 4 years in business I've come to realize that people really and I mean, really don't know what all is involved for someone in my position.  I also get comments from folks saying, what an easy job I have, getting paid to play around on social media.  All I can say is, Social Media Marketing is not what you think it is.  Social Media is a living entity, always evolving, changing and growing and to be a successful social media marketer, I always have to stay on top of the game.  I have to know about these changes and evolutions and be able to adapt to them quickly and efficiently.  

​    Marketing your business on social media is more than just posting, you have to know things like when to post, where to post, who to post to and what times to post.  You also have to know what kind of content to post, that will have the best response from your audience.  Knowing your audience is going to be another key factor.  Where do they live, what gender are they, what's their age, when are they online, why are they online and then determining why your product or service is the solution to their situation.  The above are all things that must be done, it requires analysis, testing, trial and revamping.  

    Listed below are just a few more Knowledge and Skills, necessary to be a Social Media Marketer: 

• Basic Skills in Graphic Design and Video Production.
• Image Size Compliance knowledge. 
• Understanding Platform Posting Regulations.
• Trademark / Copyright Infringement Knowledge
• Platform Terms of Use knowledge. 
• Competency with Ad Compliance. 
• Understanding CRM's (Customer Relations Management) Tools. 
• Knowledge of how to use a social media/content calendar. 

    As you can see, what I do and many others in my same field, is a lot more than just posting and playing around on social media.  I am constantly training and honing my skills to be the best at what I do so that I may provide the best service to my clients.  

    I want you all to take and moment and also realize that if you are looking for your social media marketer to instantly make you money from the efforts of what they do for your business on social media, think again.  Here's the truth of the matter.  Take a look at the 'word SOCIAL' Having your business on social media is Awesome and Great.  This is where people get to find out more about you and your business and you get to find out more about them.  

    Social Media is where you start connecting with your audience and building that relationship.  Social Media is where you tell your business story and your personal story too. Social Media is where you showcase your product or service as the solution to one's problems, wants or needs.  Social Media, should never be the place where the sale happens.  Social Media is the place where the engagement happens, it's the place where the information happens, it's the place where the connections happen.  Once you build that trust, your social media will then lead them to your website or store front and that's where the sale happens.  

    One last thing to remember, nobody, I mean nobody knows your business like you do, whether you hire someone to manage your social media marketing or not, you have to be an active participant in the process, you have to make time to jump in and be on your social media.  It's a team effort and together it can totally make your social media marketing efforts a success.  






​Thank You for reading.  Please feel free to comment and share.  
Have A Good One.  

Valarie Harris

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