With the social media and search engine optimization industries booming, businesses are continuing to explore and further develop social media marketing strategies. Sometimes, businesses have their own in-house social media team, however, other companies choose to hire out and consult a professional social media marketing company, such as Eyeflow.
To get work in the social media industry, an individual can take a few measures:
- Stay informed-this is simple. Social Media and SEO are constantly evolving fields, so staying up to date on your knowledge is important and will be taken seriously in your job search and interviews.
- Get an internship. There are countless places that offer internships for social media work. Like any internship, this will serve as a nice stepping stone and resume builder to gain knowledge and experience. Starting with an internship can open many doors in the future and is often the best place to start your search, if you don’t have prior experience. This will also be an eye-opener for working on a social media strategy.
- College Degrees-Getting a degree in a related field will assist in the job and internship process. Many places are now offering certificates in social media or master’s programs in Integrated Marketing Communications. In fact, Pittsburgh’s own Duquesne University offers a master’s in IMC.
- Engage with social media marketers-Use your social media platforms to show off your knowledge and skills. In addition, connecting with folks who already work in social media will help expose your skills and abilities, as well as give you an option to connect with potential employers. As an added bonus, these individuals will probably be posting things that can be learning tools for you, such as tips or blog posts.
- Don’t Just Use Twitter and Facebook . If you want to be seen as a social media expert you’ll need experience in every active social network beyond just the big ones like Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIN, etc. Research what’s new and set up a profile as soon as you can.
- Create an online portfolio – An even better way to showcase your skill set is having your own portfolio website. Keep an active blog and link to your various social media accounts.
As with any career field, it won’t happen overnight, so do not get discouraged. Social Media is an exciting path to choose, but it takes practice and patience!
If you’re a local to Pittsburgh then you should check out some social media events like these.
