It’s just social media management, right?
While many people don’t know the difference between a social media manager and community managers Venessa Paech argues defining which one you need for a role is vital for success.
I’ve led social media and community management for companies, hired, and worked with many social media managers and community managers.
Let’s be honest – the two roles are often confused. The number of blog posts trying to explain the difference should be a tip-off.
In Australia, for example, most Community Manager jobs advertised are actually Social Media Manager jobs.
Given most of the people in the advertising industry call themselves marketers I can see how many could struggle with the nuance between social media manager and community manager.
Here’s hint; if you aren’t involved in all four Ps and work through a P&L you aren’t a marketer.
Bravo! Love your points, Venessa.
What if you do both roles? What if you strive to build a community, you are building brand awareness as well as tackling customer service, What if you are building a strategy, creating and measuring reach and relevance?
Nailed it Vanessa! Thanks for being so succinct.
Given how much is written about this topic in social media circles, it’s fantastic to see a mainstream article that breaks it down so clearly.
The demand for shorter-term results often means that the longer-term investment in a community strategy often only makes it to early drafts of client social strategy documents.
It takes an experienced and tenacious community professional to identify the need for and put forward a strong case for a community strategy as a potential solution to client’s business problems.
If you employ someone with extensive experience setting up and running client accounts on the dominant social networks, they are far more likely to propose solutions that reflect their experience and client’s.
Brilliant article Venessa.
Awesome points Venessa, well articulated.
@EMI Unicorn: Thanks for the question. And many do, especially here in Australia where as I mentioned, the market is smaller and naturally conflated. Both is fine, though the work involved in nailing each is substantial so I don’t envy the sole operator responsible for both (I’ve been there too :-).
All the more reason to have the distinction clear, so you can account for the roles of each component of the ecosystem you’re building, and demonstrate how they work together to achieve biz/org goals at hand.
This also helps us keep community and social away from a problematic entry level ghetto – which can sometimes happen in a maturing market.