TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X… My, my, how the world of marketing has evolved.
No longer is there just an ad in a newspaper or magazine. Now, there are multiple platforms to shout out your brand and multiple platforms to reach all sorts of people.
Learning how to get into social media marketing is needed in this day and age. Even with no prior experience, that kind of knowledge and game-changing insights from the best of the best can help you steer your brand to be the powerhouse you believe it can be.
What is social media marketing?
Understanding what makes people tick online and using that knowledge to build relationships, foster brand loyalty, and ultimately drive sales—these are all aspects of social media marketing. It’s an art and science, really, where you create content and engage with audiences on various social media platforms.
“Marketing is targeting,” says John Lee, a well-known speaker on digital marketing and the co-founder of Wealth Dragons. Targeting, not selling. Targeting.
The best known beats the best. You can have the best product in the world, but if people don't know who you are, you're not going to make money. — John Lee Share on XAnd with 4.95 billion social media users worldwide (that’s over half the global population!), it’s no wonder that social media mastery is crucial for businesses today.
What do social media marketers do?
Social media marketers are the storytellers and strategists behind a brand’s online persona. They create, curate, and manage published content across various platforms.
Let’s take a look at GoPro as an example. They actively engage with their audience through creative initiatives like competitions and their popular “Photo of the Day” series. This approach not only showcases their products in action but also fosters a sense of community and participation among their millions of followers.
So what exactly do social media marketers do to amplify the voice of a brand as well as create content after content that goes viral?
According to Marisha Lakhiani, the chief growth officer of Mindvalley, it’s threefold: there’s the science, the psychology, and the creative. And all three go into crafting posts, engaging with followers, analyzing data, and adjusting strategies to maximize reach and impact.
How much do social media marketers earn?
The earning potential is, undoubtedly, a factor when you’re looking at how to get into a social media marketing career.
In the United States, those in this field earn between $51,000 and $94,000 per year. The average is about $68,149 per year, according to Glassdoor.
This is just the base salary for social media marketing jobs, though. You can make more with bonuses, commissions, or even tips—adding roughly an extra $8,834 to your earnings each year.
Keep in mind, the exact amount you earn can vary depending on where you work, your experience, and the kind of company you’re with. But one thing’s for sure—this is a career change that both pays well and lets you see your creative ideas make an impact.
What are the main social media marketing skills you need to master?
Wondering how to get into social media marketing with no experience? The key lies in mastering a mix of hard skills and soft skills, ensuring you’re well-prepared for this dynamic field.
Here’s what you need to focus on:
- Creativity to craft unique and engaging content that resonates with audiences.
- Communication skills to interact with followers and articulate your brand’s message.
- Analytical skills to measure the success of your campaigns and make informed decisions.
- Adaptability to new trends and changes in a landscape that’s always evolving.
- Strategic thinking to plan and execute campaigns with a clear vision as well as an understanding of your audience.
This blend of these social media marketing skills will help you be more versatile and invaluable in the ever-evolving world of digital marketing.
How to get into social media marketing: 5 expert-backed tips to stand out from the crowd
Posting on social media is second nature for many. However, becoming a social media marketer—and a great one at that—is an entirely different thing.
1. Educate yourself
Diving into social media marketing doesn’t always require a formal degree. In fact, many successful people in this field have thrived without one.
Take Nuseir Yasin of Nas Daily, for example. While he may be one of the most recognizable people in the digital world, his background education had nothing to do with social media. It was engineering.
If you’re wondering how to get into social media marketing without a degree, like Nuseir, the key is trial and error. This approach offers valuable hands-on experience, yet it can be enhanced with focused learning.
Social media marketing courses provide a clear and structured way to develop skills. They also complement your experiments with expert tips, leading to a more confident journey in the digital world.
2. Understand your audience
If your audience is everyone, then it’s no one, so the saying goes. This means that trying to appeal to everyone often leads to connecting with no one. It goes back to what John says: “Marketing is targeting.”
“Target the right people; help them solve their problems,” he adds. And this is where you make money.
That’s why social media experts will always emphasize focusing on a specific target audience and understanding their unique interests, needs, and behaviors. By doing so, you create content that resonates deeply with a particular group, establishing a stronger, more meaningful connection.
3. Create content that matters
It’s likely you’ve heard of this phrase: content is king. Why? Because content drives engagement, builds communities, and sparks conversations. And this makes it a pivotal factor in social media success.
The thing is, there’s an abundance of videos with the same dance and voiceover. That begs the question: How do you stand out in the crowd?
By putting out content that educates and entertains, according to Marisha. It’s content that offers real value with “the pure purpose of reaching more people.”
Whether it’s for personal branding or your company, craft stories that align with your brand’s identity and values. High-quality content with effective storytelling can elevate your social media presence, making your content memorable and shareable.
4. Learn from the data
Data is one thing that social media newbies forget to do. So if you’re looking at how to get into social media marketing, this is one aspect you do not want to overlook.
“Data’s the new currency,” says John. Why? Simply put, it guides your strategy and helps you understand what works and what doesn’t.
For example, if videos perform better than images on your Instagram account, this will allow you to shift your strategy to focus more on video content. When you’re able to do that, you focus on the audience that you want to target. And that’ll lead you to more clicks, which means more money.
The more data you have, the more money you make, because the more you can help people. — John Lee Share on XWhen you regularly analyze your social media metrics, you can gauge the performance of your content—engagement rates, follower growth, and click-through rates. These insights allow you to refine your approach and make informed decisions.
5. Foster community engagement
Active engagement is more than just posting content. It’s about creating a community that reflects and amplifies your values and aspirations.
Nuseir, in an episode of The Mindvalley Show, highlights the transformative power of the right community. As a social media marketer, this involves not just joining but also building communities.
The right community can change your life; the wrong community can destroy you. — @nasdaily Share on XSo establish a space where like-minded individuals can interact, share, and grow together. This can be initiating conversations, responding to comments, and reposting your audience’s stories, just to name a few.
It takes some social skills, but this approach cultivates a loyal following as well as positions you as a pivotal figure in shaping the community’s culture and direction.
Skyrocket your skills
The world of social media marketing is constantly evolving, and staying ahead means learning from the best. Here’s your chance with the Mindvalley Social Media Mastery program.
This innovative online course is your ticket to insights and strategies from the giants of the digital world. Imagine learning directly from Nuseir Yassin of Nas Daily, John Lee, Marisha Lakhiani, Brendan Kane, Vishen, Iman Oubou, Jimmy Naraine, and Mr. Grateful.
Don’t miss out on how to get into social media marketing and more.
