What kind of jobs can you get with social media skills?

Social media has taken over the internet and, in many ways, our lives. Facebook’s user count tops 1 billion monthly users, and Twitter sees over 300 million active users every month. LinkedIn has become an essential tool in the job search process, and even Google+ has over 170 million active users each month. If you have strong social media skills, you can use those skills to land any number of different jobs, from digital marketing to public relations to community management. Here are just a few of the kinds of jobs you can get with social media skills

Online marketing/content/PR

There are a number of ways to use your passion for and knowledge about social media to further your career. You could use it as a personal marketing tool or use it to market products and services. Digital PR and content management are two areas that often require new hires to have at least some experience in social media. No matter what, digital marketing is here to stay—it’s growing faster than any other segment in all industries, even more than tech!—so investing time and energy into learning digital marketing will give you an edge.

Influencer

If your social profile is strong enough, companies will reach out to you to make branded content for them. Even if you don’t have your own audience, there are agencies that specialize in connecting brands and influencers. But in order to play in that league, your profiles must be truly exceptional—and even then, it’s a long shot. You need at least 25,000 followers across multiple platforms (so no single platform can hold all of your eggs). Note: The Federal Trade Commission recently passed legislation requiring influencers to disclose whether they have been paid or received free products in exchange for their endorsement on Instagram or other social networks.

Community management

Social media managers handle all things related to their company’s community on social platforms. They use tools like Hootsuite and Sprout Social to interact directly with customers, monitor conversations, and respond when needed. A bachelor’s degree in marketing or a similar field is often required for these positions; employers usually prefer applicants who have several years of experience using popular platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Plus, some social media management companies specialize in recruiting these professionals.

Customer service

If you’re interested in working in customer service, companies like Zendesk provide customer service software that allows brands to easily manage and resolve customers’ queries. If you enjoy interacting with people and helping them find solutions to their problems, then a job in customer service may be for you. To land a job as a customer service agent, your best bet is to major in communications or business or study technical writing at college; many entry-level positions require some experience. More importantly, though, employers are looking for candidates who are tech-savvy as well as computer literate. Candidates should be familiar with how social networks work, including Twitter and Facebook (and other platforms), so they can handle negative comments and complaints on such sites effectively.

Business development

Some people think business development means cold-calling potential clients and pitching them on whatever product or service your company offers. This is far from true—in fact, it's probably among the worst ways to make a name for yourself in your field. Today, companies rely heavily on social media for business growth and networking. To really be successful in your job hunt, look at companies that have both online and offline reach—and focus on those that offer a variety of platforms through which you can communicate with potential employers and clients.

Writing/editing/communication

Writing is a powerful skill. It's only going to become more valuable, too—because as digital marketing becomes even more important for businesses, those that know how to put words together in compelling ways are going to rise to top of their companies (and maybe further). Even if your business doesn't include a lot of writing, being able to properly communicate with your clients will make them feel valued and help turn them into fans. The best part about working on your writing chops is that it's something anyone can work on anytime. If you're looking for ways to improve your content, read articles by established journalists or bloggers and try taking notes on their use of language, tone and style.