Have you ever looked at people posting on Facebook and Instagram and thought I could make that post better? Perhaps you already rule the audience figures among your friends on social platforms and you’d love to do it for a job? Do you love playing around with taking pictures or video on your phone and playing with filters? If you said yes to any of those, then a career in social media could be the next step for you.
We might be a little biased but we think social media is a great career to choose whether you are at the beginning of your career journey or you are looking to pivot into something new. Here are five reasons why you should consider social media marketing.
1. It’s super creative
You’ll get lots of chances to explore your creative side while you work out what suits the brand you are working for and its audience. And, depending on who you work for, you might have to exercise your creativity to create big content on a small budget.
Plus social media marketing is often a multi-skilled role so you might be designing a perfect Instagram image one day, crafting the cutest caption for your cat video on Facebook the next and then filming an on-trend TikTok video.
2. It’s flexible
Want to work full-time in-house as a social media marketer for just one company? You can do that.
You also have the option to venture out independently. This aspect makes social media marketing a career that can easily accommodate your other responsibilities, such as taking care of your family. It’s an excellent choice if you seek a career that offers improved work-life balance.
And because social media is everywhere, it’s a career that could take you anywhere in the world if you want it to.
3. You can make a real difference
When you get the social media strategy for a business right, it can make a huge difference to the way they reach their audience, the brand’s profile and ultimately the sales figures. As a social media marketer, you get to play a direct role in creating a brand and making it a success.
Some people choose to specialise by running social media accounts for not-for-profit organisations or charities. While it may not pay quite as well, this kind of work gives you the added factor of knowing you are helping to make positive change in the world.
4. It’s an in-demand sector
Social media is booming and showing no signs of going away. Younger people in particular rely on recommendations, reviews and content from social media when it comes to buying products or services, more than they do on traditional marketing like websites.
As a result, more and more businesses are realising that they need to be on social media too. And while some can do it themselves, many need the help of a specialist. That means there are lots of opportunities for people with the right skills and knowledge.
5. There’s always something new to learn
One thing about social media that is equally fun and frustrating is that it is an ever-shifting landscape. Sometimes you know why. Perhaps the platform’s owners have changed the algorithm or a certain trend has hit marketing. Other times things just won’t be as successful as they were before and you’ll never quite know why.
That makes social media marketing an interesting area to work in because you are always learning new things and facing new challenges. If you like ongoing learning and development, then you’ll love the social media industry.
You’ll spend plenty of time reading up on new trends, attending webinars to see the latest updates, or using A/B testing and metrics to work out the best way forward.
NZIE helps you keep on top of those new things to learn. If you are just starting out on your social media career, check out our Diploma in Social Media Marketing which covers everything you need to get started in organic and paid social media creation. If your career is underway but you want to brush up on a particular area, then one of our short courses in specific areas like TikTok or Meta Ads could be a good choice.
