How to Start Your Career as a Social Media Manager in Nigeria

Social Media is designed such that you must put in the work to get a desired result. This gives you the room to not only take your social media activities to the next level, but even unto building a sustainable career from it. Business owners, organizations and entrepreneurs among others require certain people that can handle the media on their behalf to increase their recognition, target audience, followers and most importantly their sales; hence, the need for Social Media Management surfaces.

 

Who is a Social Media Manager?

Anyone who is into social media management is considered a social media manager. From the name, a Social Media Manager is someone who manages the social media networks of an organization. A Social Media Manager is responsible for handling the analytics, content writing, campaign charts, graphics, and customarily generating strategies to increase followers and profit, all for an organization. Although, organizations, companies or business owners get to define what their social media manager would be responsible for. Nevertheless, on a general note a few skills are necessary and expected of every Social Media Manager.

In Nigeria, a few businesses do not require much from their social media manager, however, it is advisable one gets the full requirements in case of  subsequent opportunities available in other organizations.

What Skills do You Require to Become a Social Media Manager?

As mentioned earlier, business owners and organizations especially in Nigeria have their own definition of what you would have to offer them as their Social Media Manager. Still, there are skills that you must have which are Writing, Editing, Design, Analytical tools, Flexibility, Understanding social media platforms, Timeliness, Working under pressure and many more. 

 

As as a beginner who is considering being a social media manager, one is always faced with so many questions like how should I start, where should I start and when exactly to start out. Below are 5 tips on how to start your career as a social media manager in Nigeria

1. Earn Basic Experience

Your entry into the Social Media Management space must be preceded by a basic experience and knowledge in social media management, social media marketing and social media strategies. Learning platforms like YouTube and Google will come very handy. You can also get certified on well known learning platforms like Udemy, Coursera e.t.c You should also do well to follow people who major on social media management as a profession in Nigeria e.g thesocialmediaoga. In general, just keep learning until you can boast of the knowledge you have acquired

 

2. Build Your Social Media Presence

Build your own social media presence and post valuable content regularly. Write about what you can do effortlessly experiment all what you have learnt with your own social media account. Track your growth, measure it and then proceed to deciding whether you are equipped enough.

 

Read: How to Repurpose Your Content and Boost Your Reach

3. Learn to Use Social Media Marketing Tools

The use of marketing tools is very important in your social media management journey. Learn how to build a sales funnel, how to run Facebook and Google ads, how to make creative designs with Canva

4. Pick a Specific Niche

If you're looking to start a career as a professional social media manager, it is necessary that you choose a particular niche that catches your interest, do more research on it learn its intricacies and begin to look into managing social accounts doing something related to your related niche

5. Build Your Portfolio

As a beginner just starting up you can use your own media account as a demo , you can also reach out to small business owners you know to allow practice all what you have learnt on a business page.
 


 

HOW TO BECOME A SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

A ‘Social Media Manager’ is not just a title that is acquired easily but a title that requires a lot of efforts and determination to build. Here are some things to take into considerations and apply along the line.

1. Know What You Want to Do

This is the first and most important thing to do as you cannot just dive into something you have a bare knowledge of. It is important you know what you want to do and how you would do it. Read a lot of other articles that explains what being a social media manager really is, Follow top social media managers in Nigeria and get to know their story, and also research on the benefits as well as the downsides of the job. This would help you know what you are really in for and whether you really want to make it become part of you.

2. Earn a Degree or a Recognised Qualification

Since different business owners have specific definition and purposes required of their social media manager, hence a 4-year degree acquired from a College or the University might not necessarily come in handy. Nevertheless, some official and well known organizations would expect this as a qualification from their applicants. In Nigeria, you might not necessarily need your degree but your value is very much important. It is very necessary to be educated about the job that would be offered to you. You might just be expected to have taken a few courses which explains what the job entails and probably a few other experiences. However, it is always a bonus when you have a degree in the relevant field.

3. Get Educated

I intentionally separated this point from this previous one even when they mean almost the same thing. Instead, I wont be talking about the 4 corner classroom education. It is very important to educate yourself on what you really want to do. You have to learn a lot of things using the media to become a social media manager. You need to understand and also have the knowledge of business and entrepreneurial terms in which there are varieties of platforms you can acquire such knowledge from. Some of them are Hubspot Academy, Coursera, Facbook blueprint, Udemy and the likes.

4. Build Your Portfolio

You need a social media market experience to build your portfolio because no one wants to just hire a beginner. Therefore, it is important to look out for opportunities by interning with an organization, managing probably your friend or relatives social media, creating a dummy account and offering a few free proposals to popular organization or businesses. This enables you to acquire a lot of experiences and put to practice what you have learnt which would later come in handy when you are officially employed under an organization.

While considering building your portfolio, you should also know that it is game changer if you have a website. Organizations tend to believe someone with a reliable website. Also, having a reliable website which contains your portfolio goes a long way in describing what you really do and what you really are into. You might not have the funds but you can start little, you can research on how to make simple and cheap websites, you can even get website templates online.

5. Establish Your Process

Your processes matter as they would let you know what you have to offer and how exactly you can place yourself out there. Your processes should include knowledge on the improvements of several platforms and how you think you acquired them. There are varieties of other processes you went through that can also be established. Particularly, it is also important to take cognisance of your timeliness and contracts with your employer.

6. Network Online and Offline

After acquiring all the necessary skills and knowing what exactly you are expected to do as a social media manager, you really have to put yourself out there. You need to tender your proposals to companies of different sizes online and offline. You don’t have to force yourself too much neither do you have to be saucy but you have to give yourself a beautiful profile when you place yourself out there.  

There is a lot to being a social media manager and honestly, it is one of the jobs that are needed on an increase with an amazing career experience. Therefore, it is impeccable to do a lot of things and consider all you need for growth and betterment. A more detailed research is necessary as it would help you boost what really could make you a wanted social media manager.This simply means that you need to learn from the media to become a social media manager
 

 

 

 

 

Today, we are in a world where everything is evolving digital and social media has become more relevant than ever. Starting a career in social media is not a bad idea at all, as we have millions of people on different platforms from TikTok, to Instagram, Facebook, Whatsapp, etc.


However, to be a social media manager, there is certain knowledge you need to acquire. It is beyond just uploading posts and having followers. Many times, people often mistake social media management with social media influencing. As a social media manager what you do is to help a client manage his/her social media pages as though they were the ones, generating conversions as agreed by the owner.

While a Social media influencer helps influence a product or brand on his/her account. Although these two are similar, they have different descriptions and you can also choose to be both. Even though, it is advised to stick to one and build competence in it.

As a social media manager you get to work on your terms, you choose who you want to work for, the timing, and the pay.

Social media management is a remote job as you necessarily do not have to leave your home, you have the opportunity to work for more than one clientt.

However, there are certain soills needed for you to be able to work as a social media marketer as no one wants to employ an unskilled person to manage his social media pages or accounts. Some of these skills are listed below

1. Content Creation

Content creation is the heart of marketing, it is a combination of processes and it can be in different forms, e.g Visual, written, audio-visual, or audio.

As a social media manager, you have to understand the process of content creation, from the point of idea conceptualization to the formation of relevant content that your audience wants to see and that will bring the relevant conversion in terms of sales or likes and comments depending on the KPI's and Metrics you set.

Not every writer is a good content creator, so if you know how to write, it's a bonus, however, your skill should be fine-tuned to suit the desired purpose. Content creation is a skill that can be learned and should be learned. There are things to consider while creating a content, they are:

•     The brand identity: This involves knowing what the brand stands for, the core values, etc.
•     Who is your target audience? Your target audience is the people your brand wants to reach, your potential buyers, and your customers. As a social media manager, you need to know who your target audience is, in terms of demography, geography, behavior, and so on.
•    What do they want to see? Aside from knowing who your target audiences are and where they are, you need to also know what exactly want to see. You can't claim to be creating content for children while in the real sense, they are not interested in such products. Children always want something fun and stress-free, so you would like to consider that while creating content for them.
• How best do they want to see it. This is also very important while creating content. You might want to consider the mode of communication your audience prefers. It could be Instagram reel over written posts or Facebook Live over webinars. Just ensure, you study your audience enough to know what they want and how they want it.
  

2. Social Media Analytics

This is simple and logical enough, as a social media manager you should know how to interpret analytics when you see it, this will help your productivity and will also make you more sellable and valuable.

There are available courses online theat will teach you these, you can check Google Digital Skills for Africa or Coursera social media courses, some of these courses are free while most at paid, but are worth it as you will get value for your money.

3. Graphics Design

Graphics designing is one of the most sorts after skills today, a lot of people are acquiring the skill as it is a necessity for a number of them who work remotely as tech gurus. Unlike some 10-15 years back, graphics design skills can be easily acquired from the comfort of your house even on your phone. With applications like Canva, and Adobe Illustrator graphic design has become quite easy. Some of this software even have templates already and this helps quickly improve your skills as you don't have to always worry about a template, you just build on what has been done. If you hone this skill as a social media manager your work becomes easier and more effective.

4. Social Media Marketing

This is your exact role as a social media manager, this has to be learned by taking courses and volunteering/interning to acquire the necessary experiences. Within 3 weeks or less, you will complete a course on social media marketing, it is all over the internet. Get a credible academy to learn from and also be accountable to someone.

5. Get Mentorship

I know this is one of the last things you'll think of, you need a mentor, someone whose current reality is the future you see as this career path. He will help you save time, get opportunities the right and also save money.

Conclusion

Social media management is a great career with good pay. It can seem tasking at the outset but becoming a successful social media manager in Nigeria is achievable. If you find interest in it, pursue it by first committing to learning and also practicing.

References and Article Sources

1. How to become a Social Media Manager in 2022 by Latasha James 

2. Marketing Week. "Steep rise in demand for marketers with digital skills 

3. How to Become a Social Media Manager in Nigeria (5 Must Dos) by Theresa Finance