21 Tips for Finding the Perfect Social Media Wizard

Hey there, folks! Today, I want to share with you some of my top tips for finding that perfect social media whiz. Social media is a powerful tool, and having someone who knows their stuff can make a huge difference in your online presence. So, let’s dive right in!

1. Know your goals: Before starting your search, figure out what you want to achieve with social media. Are you looking to increase brand awareness? Drive sales? Knowing your goals will help you narrow down your search.

2. Look for experience: Look for candidates who have experience managing social media accounts. Experience counts when it comes to understanding the ins and outs of different platforms and crafting engaging content.

3. Check their online presence: Take a peek at their online profiles and determine if they have a strong social media presence themselves. After all, you want someone who practices what they preach!

4. Understand their style: Assess their ability to adapt their tone and style to different platforms and target audiences. A great social media wizard knows how to tailor their content to fit different contexts.

5. Analytical skills: Hiring someone who can analyze social media data is a plus. They should be able to track and measure the impact of their efforts, making data-driven decisions.

6. Creativity matters: Look for candidates who can come up with fresh and innovative ideas for content. A creative mind will boost your social media game.

7. Collaboration is key: Find someone who can work well with others. They should be able to collaborate with your team and other departments to align social media efforts with your overall business strategy.

8. Strong communication skills: A social media whiz needs to be an excellent communicator. They’ll be engaging with your audience and representing your brand, so strong communication skills are a must.

9. Up-to-date with trends: Social media is constantly evolving, so you want someone who stays up-to-date with the latest trends and changes in the industry.

10. Organizational skills: Managing multiple social media platforms can be overwhelming. Look for someone who is organized and can effectively manage their time and resources.

11. Tech-savvy: Your social media wizard should have a good understanding of different social media tools and be comfortable using them.

12. Knowledge of target audience: Find someone who understands your target audience and knows how to create content that resonates with them.

13. Problem-solving abilities: Social media can sometimes throw unexpected challenges your way. Your ideal candidate should be a quick thinker and able to find solutions on the fly.

14. Attention to detail: Little mistakes can have a big impact on your brand’s image. Look for someone who pays attention to the details and takes pride in their work.

15. Flexibility: Social media moves fast, so finding someone who can adapt and adjust their strategy as needed is crucial.

16. Passion for learning: A great social media wizard is always eager to learn and improve their skills. Look for someone who has a passion for continuous learning.

17. Brand ambassador: Your social media rockstar should believe in your brand and be a true ambassador for it. They should be able to showcase your brand’s values and personality in their content.

18. Networking skills: Social media is all about building relationships. Look for candidates who have strong networking skills and can connect with influencers and industry professionals.

19. Ability to handle criticism: Social media can sometimes attract negative comments or feedback. Your ideal candidate should be able to handle criticism gracefully and respond appropriately.

20. Innovative mindset: The digital landscape is constantly changing. Find a candidate who keeps up with emerging trends and has an innovative mindset.

21. Trust your instincts: Lastly, trust your instincts. If someone feels like the right fit, it’s worth exploring further. Chemistry and a good working relationship can go a long way.

There you have it, folks! These tips will guide you on your quest to find the perfect social media wizard. Good luck, and may your online presence shine bright!

I bet you’ve noticed that keeping up with social media is no easy task for many companies. It’s a constant challenge! But here’s some good news: being a social media manager is one of the fastest-growing careers today. These experts are hired to take charge of a company’s social media platforms and make sure that each post is interesting enough to capture readers’ attention.

But here’s the thing: when it comes to hiring a social media manager, things can get a little confusing. Lucky for you, I had the chance to talk to Jenn Herman, the amazing Jenn from Jenn’s Trends, and she spilled the beans on what you should look for in a social media manager.

The Search for a Social Media Rockstar

Experience Matters

When you’re searching for someone to handle your company’s social media, it’s important to find someone who has experience that matches the size of your business. Since this field is still relatively new, it’s unlikely that you’ll find someone with decades of experience. In fact, the people who have the most social media experience are usually younger and may just be recent graduates. If your company is on the smaller side, it’s a good idea to look for someone who has 1 to 3 years of experience in social media management. For larger companies, aiming for someone with 3 to 5 years of experience is a good range.

Consider the Younger Generation

Youthful individuals generally have a better understanding of social media since they have grown up using these platforms. They won’t need to learn how to use Facebook, Twitter, and other similar platforms because they have already been using them personally for years.

Explore Online Profiles

When looking for a candidate to hire for social media management, it’s important to find someone who is easily findable online and has a strong presence. In fact, it’s not uncommon to ask for their social media URLs when they apply for the job.

Evaluate Their Online Influence

There’s actually a reliable way to measure how influential and active someone is online. You can use Klout to gauge their presence. Klout rates people on a scale of 1 to 100, with an average score of around 40 for those who use more than one platform. If their score is above 50, you can be confident that they have extensive experience with social media.

Consider Their Business Experience

When it comes to being a social media manager, having experience with social media is crucial. But it’s not the only thing that matters. It’s also important for the person to have experience in business. Whether that’s customer service, sales, or marketing, these additional skills will help the social media manager do their job effectively.

Focus on Writing Skills

One thing to consider when looking for a candidate is their college major. Since social media management involves a lot of writing, it’s important to find someone who has studied something related to writing.

View Unedited Writing Samples

If possible, take a look at unedited writing samples from the candidate. While most social media managers have a portfolio, it’s rare to find unedited pieces included. Checking these samples can give you a better understanding of their writing skills.

Gauge Client Service Experience

Let’s see how well you understand the client service experience. If you’ve worked as an account executive or manager in the past, that could really help you succeed as a social media manager.

Can You Sell It?

Think of some examples of times when you’ve worked to sell ideas in a team setting.

What About Public Relations?

How much experience do you have with public relations? If you’ve written press releases, can I see some of your unedited examples?

Any Graphic Design Experience?

Have you done any graphic design work? I’m curious to know your opinion on the best way to post graphics on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Do You Know the Industry Terms?

These are important questions to test your understanding:

• Do you know what CPC is?
• Can you explain what excess inventory means?
• How do you handle content management?
• Could you provide an example of a marketing calendar you’ve created?
• Can you define a social ecosystem?
• What does flight mean in marketing?
• Do you know how many social networks exist?

Discuss Scenarios and Seek Solutions

I will present various social media situations and ask how you would handle each one.

Solicit Feedback on My Current Plan

I will share my current social media plan and ask for your opinion on it.

Inquire About Advertising Experience

Have you ever worked in advertising before? It’s a bonus if you also have experience in online advertising.

Emphasize Social Media in Reference Checks

Listen, I gotta remind you to talk to a candidate’s references, especially those who know about their social media experience.

Find Out If They’re Available

Figure out how much time the candidate can dedicate to managing your social media accounts. Sometimes, small businesses hire social media managers part-time or as needed. So, focus on those who have the availability to meet your needs.

Look for Someone Who Sees the Big Picture

When you’re looking for the right candidate, make sure they understand the bigger picture of your business. They’ll be building a community through your social media networks, so it’s crucial to find someone who can go beyond just writing good tweets and Facebook updates.

Find Someone Who Can Do It All

When you’re looking to hire someone for the job, it’s important to find someone who can handle multiple tasks. As your social media manager, they’ll not only be responsible for public relations, marketing, and customer service, but they’ll also be the face of your brand. So it’s crucial to find someone who brings a wide range of skills to the table.

Find Someone with Strong Organizational Skills

A key attribute to look for is strong organizational skills. This means finding someone who can keep track of community growth and engagement metrics. They’ll be able to analyze the data and make informed decisions to help your brand succeed.

Pay Attention to Their Personal Social Networking Activity

Lastly, pay attention to the person’s personal social networking activity. A true social media enthusiast will not only engage with it during work hours but also in their free time. This shows their genuine passion for social media, which can translate into exceptional results for your brand.