Whether you're a business owner looking for a way to expand your business online, or an individual seeking a new career, there are several steps you can take to begin a new career as a social media manager. Learn how to create content quickly and efficiently, monitor and keep tabs on analytics, and build a portfolio of your most successful posts.

Become familiar with social media management tools

Whether you're looking to start a career as a social media manager or want to improve your social media marketing skills, there are a number of tools that can help you. These tools can help you save time and streamline your workflows. There are a number of tools available for both large and small businesses.

Sprout Social is a social media management tool that offers reporting and monitoring, content curation and social media scheduling in one single platform. It's also one of the few tools that includes CRM features.

Tailwind provides features for Instagram UGC content management. It also offers a visual content calendar. This tool is particularly useful for Instagram marketers. It has features for promoting content on Pinterest. Besides scheduling posts, Tailwind also monitors conversations and helps improve performance on Pinterest.

MavSocial is another tool that allows you to schedule posts and engage with your audience across multiple social networks. Although it's easy to use, it has a dated interface. Unlike some other social media management tools, it does not automatically share your content across multiple social networks.

Later is another tool that allows you to schedule posts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. It also offers a free link tool that allows you to create shoppable Instagram feeds. It also allows you to link to blog posts. It also offers a visual content calendar that makes it easy to manage multiple social networks.

If you're looking for a comprehensive social marketing certification course, you can enroll in the Hootsuite Academy. The training is comprehensive and includes a variety of courses. It also offers advanced certificate programs.

Hootsuite is free to try, but the paid plans start at $6 per month per channel. The free plan allows you to manage all your social networks.

Monitor and keep tabs on analytics

Using a social media analytics tool of some sort is important if you want to get your feet wet in the biz. There are a number of tools on the market ranging from the expensive to the free, and they can all be categorized by their strengths and weaknesses. Some tools, such as Sprout Social, are designed to give you a better deal on your social media management needs. For example, they have a social listening tool, an employee advocacy tool, and an all-in-one social media management suite. They also have customer support to boot.

There is one tool, however, that can do all of the above and more. It is called Cyfe, and it is available for under $100 a month. Not only does it help you keep track of your social media campaigns, but it has over 1000 integrations, which means you can get your hands on a myriad of social media analytics solutions. With such a comprehensive library of tools at your disposal, you'll be ready for whatever social media challenge you may be faced with.

Using a social media analytics tool of the appropriate caliber can make the daunting task of managing your social media campaigns a breeze. While the aforementioned tools may be too expensive for your budget, a quick Google search will reveal a bevy of tools that will do the trick. One such tool is Pallyy, and they even offer a free trial, which you can use to see how their services stack up. They offer a free plan for one social group, plus a premium plan for a mere $15 a month per group.

Create content quickly based on those of-the-moment social media trends

Creating content quickly based on those of-the-moment social media trends isn't easy. For starters, you have to decide what you want to say before you post it. And don't forget to engage with your audience.

To determine what kind of content your audience will appreciate, you have to understand their demographics. Then, create a plan of attack based on best practices. Using a social media tool like Later, you can plan ahead and schedule content to be posted at the perfect time. This can be a big time saver.

It's also a good idea to use a third-party tool to make the process of publishing content as painless as possible. Tools like Mailchimp have free social media management tools to help streamline the process.

In addition to promoting your content, social media can also help you find new audiences. For example, you can use Facebook to advertise your holiday specials, or a contest on Instagram. You can also use Twitter to spread the word about a new product or service. It's also a good idea to use Facebook and other social media channels to boost your blog posts.

The right content can make or break your social media marketing efforts. For instance, a study by BuzzSumo, a social media tracking company, found that long-form content is more likely to receive social shares.

The best way to do this is to create content that will engage your audience. For example, an educational article incorporating interactivity is a great way to get people to read. This is especially true if you have a blog where you can post links to your articles.

The best way to get the most out of social media is to stay current on the trends. You'll see what works for your brand and what doesn't.

Connect with industry experts and influencers

Getting connected with industry experts and influencers is one of the most effective ways to develop your social media presence. When you start your career as a social media manager, you want to be able to reach out to industry leaders to help you build your audience. But first, you need to understand the influencer landscape.

Influencers are often protective of their audiences. This means you need to make sure they are truly invested in your brand. Influencers are able to help your business gain more authority and earn consumer trust. They can also help you reach new markets.

Influencers are often experts in a particular niche. This allows you to tailor your content to a specific audience. It also makes it easier to build your authority. Often, these influencers will be in charge of creating content for your brand.

Influencers also can help you build an audience by sharing industry news sources. This will increase your audience's knowledge and make them more likely to follow you on social media.

Influencers can help you create content that solves consumer problems. They can also help your brand become a thought leader. Influencers are also valuable because they have large followings. This allows you to reach new markets and build your audience.

You can also use hashtags to spread your content. By using relevant hashtag searches, you can find influencers who are posting content related to your product.

Influencers can also help you develop content by polling their followers. You can also give influencers free products in exchange for a shout out. The value of this type of content will depend on the style and topics of the influencer.

Build a portfolio to showcase your most successful posts

Having a portfolio is a great way to demonstrate your skills. A social media manager's portfolio can show a potential client how you've used social media to create a successful campaign. It can also show how you think and create content.

Having a portfolio will allow you to highlight the skills you've learned over your career. Recruiters want to see a variety of skills and work. This will impress potential clients and increase your chances of landing a new job.

The first step to building a portfolio is to make sure it's organized well. A portfolio should be easy to browse and scan. The design should be enticing and the content should be the highest quality.

You should also consider adding client testimonials. Testimonials from past employers can give potential clients a better idea of your work habits and skills. They can also give you credibility as a social media manager. You can collect testimonials into one section or create a separate tab for them.

You should also include a cover letter. A cover letter will tell hiring managers about your experiences. This will also show them how you've solved problems. The letter should not be long, but should also be professional.

The "About" section should sound professional and should also give a glimpse into your social media career. It's also a good idea to include a call-to-action. You can use this as a discovery call, or you can subscribe to a service package.

Your portfolio should also include information about the long-term strategies you've used. This can include insights into user behavior analysis and how you've converted your audience into customers.