How can you succeed in social media marketing without a formal degree?

Please keep in mind that you can NEVER teach creativity, innovation and a go-getter attitude. From my experience these are some key attitudes to a success social media marketer and thus whilst a degree can be useful, it does not hinder anyone from entering the industry. To get started with the basics, consider using free resources such as Meta Blueprint, LinkedIn Learning and YouTube to understand the basics of editorial calendar creation, brand image/voice and how to communicate with a focused audience. These are great ways to build a foundation that can support you in multiple roles across digital marketing.

You don't need a degree to be a creative. Nor do you need one to be able to write or plan social media strategies. The very first basic, I would say, is being able to structure a written post. Do you know how to write? Do you know how to write for social media? Because it's different from creative writing. You also need to keep on top of changes. Social media is always changing, whether it's the algorithm or new features- you need to forever be learning.

I graduated from Graphic Design school and got my first job as a community manager at an agency looking for someone who could write about Graphic Design. I barely knew about social media back then as Facebook was on its hype, yet I took the challenge, and what a journey it's been! I learned about blogging, organic vs. paid social, trends research, SEO, and more. Then, at some point, I decided to pursue a master's degree in Digital Marketing management, and the rest is history. So the answer is yes, you can start a career in social media without formal education, yet it can always help to get some at a certain point.

Please don’t feel like you need a degree in this space to succeed in social. I didn’t get one, and things have turned out quite well - I was even awarded social media manager of the year! I opted for the apprenticeship route, and have worked my way up in a digital marketing agency where I’ve worked with some huge clients. Little old me would never have imagined those opportunities were available to me when I started out. The other things that have helped along the way? Networking. Sounds boring(?) and maybe obvious, but never underestimate the benefits that having some fellow social media brains to bounce ideas off of, challenge you, and encourage you to push yourself.

Let’s be honest, unless you jump straight in from your degree to a job in social media, the chances are things will have changed dramatically. My biggest two tips now going in to 2024 are to utilise ChatGPT and request to learn the 20% of social media advertising that will give you 80% of the must needed info. The landscape is changing so quickly now that once one graduates, the tech has updated too much. The other tip is follow the thought leaders on LinkedIn. Follow the aspiring ones, they post more as they are building their brand.

I started my portfolio by growing personal accounts for fun and leaning into my natural strengths + interests! Other strategies that worked for me include volunteering to run social media pages for non-profits, exchanging social media lessons & content creation for other services (like personal training at a small local gym), and pitching ideas to businesses or creators I'm personally a fan of.

Don’t stop at creating personal accounts - why not volunteer for a charity? Volunteering to assist a charity with social media is valuable in a number of ways: - Support a good cause - Working completely flexibly (pick your own hours and level of commitment) - Learn to create low cost, high quality content - They’ll often be open to new ideas, so you can experiment Some charities are looking for someone to build them from scratch, and some of the larger charities are looking for people to help create content for already established channels. So, lots of levels to come in at. My best experiences came from early on and volunteering around my studies.

Create your own experience. Starting a blog or Instagram page showcases you're willing to learn, test & grow in your own time. It also gives you the opportunity to action ideas & new trends. I landed my most recent job & freelance client purely for the content I created on Instagram in my own time.

Build your own brand to showcase your ability to use the most popular platforms effectively. Quality Content > Big Following

Step two for triumph in social media marketing? Build your standout portfolio! ?? Establish your digital footprint with personal profiles, offer your skills to local businesses, and dive into online platforms to connect with potential clients.

Your network is your net worth. That's not just a cliche. LinkedIn a powerful tool when used effectively! DM inboxes are so important.

Join online groups, forums, and events in your niche. Attend offline meetups or conferences. Build relationships, learn, and spot collaboration opportunities. Reach out to mentors for guidance and feedback. Let's elevate together!

Relationships are everything. Go to events, be outside your comfort zone, be personable, and sell yourself. It’s important to have mentors in the field to ensure you’re always listening and learning. And whatever you do, never burn bridges.

Dive into online groups, forums, and events in your niche. Attend offline meetups or conferences. Build relationships, learn, and open doors for collaboration. Reach out to mentors for guidance and feedback.

Step three in acing social media marketing: Connect with pros and influencers in your field. Dive into online groups, forums, and niche events. Attend meetups, workshops, or conferences. ?? Build bonds, gain insights, and spot collaboration chances. Reach out to mentors for guidance and feedback.

There are some excellent groups you can join to do exactly this The Two Lauras and The Social Club in the UK both offer great communities for learning and keeping up with trends. Most of the scheduling platforms provide webinars that also cover this, as well as reading trade press titles such as Social Media Today. And of course following those industry leaders and gurus who often provide these sorts of updates first.

Whether it is through experience (ie: You actually using different social media platforms) or by reading through the many different newsletters that individuals/companies provide - staying up-to-date on what is happening in the world of social media really is key to success. Algorithms and formats regularly change, so identifying opportunities for you to be creative and innovative really is key to driving your success.

This is the key. If you understand how the platforms work, how trends are created, and have a track record of proof, there's no reason someone won't hire you whether you have a masters or no degree at all.

Regularly follow industry blogs, podcasts, and influencers to keep up-to-date with the evolving landscape of social media. Platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and industry-specific forums are great for real-time trend tracking. Participate in webinars and online workshops, often available for free or at a low cost. Utilize platforms like YouTube for educational content and tutorials. Experiment with new platforms and techniques to understand their effectiveness firsthand. This continuous learning approach not only keeps you informed but also equips you with practical skills and insights, crucial for a successful career in social media marketing.

Experience is imperative. A degree may help, but trends come and go so fast and the only way to keep up is by being online. follow people and companies in the same industry and pay attention to what they're doing, what works for them, and what doesn't. Newsletters, webinars, and groups are helpful for staying up-to-date in the industry.

I'm a huge fan of the "f*** around and find out" method. I see my personal accounts as a playground to trial new things and then bring them to work if I think they're relevant or suitable for my business.

I see this as the most critical step to success, not just in social media marketing. Your early attempts at anything will not be great. The key is to always be ready to try new methods, be a keen observer of what works for others, and learn to notice and repeat your own successes. Avoid any attachment to what you think will work best and always be testing to see what actually works best.

This is a field where if you are good at what you do, you’ll succeed. All you need to do is have an eye for composing visual elements and the ability to write in a way that connects with your target audience. Once you can grow an audience and demonstrate past success, the world is yours.

My biggest advice is getting your hands dirty and being an active user of social media. The best way to learn the social platforms is being active on them... test, learn, and adjust your strategy! Only way to succeed in my opinion in this industry.

Working in social is all about your ABC’s and ABT’s. Always be creating and always be testing. Think of everything you create at a 1:1 scale. 1 asset organic social. 1 asset paid. This is where you’ll find out what really reaches! Stuck in a creative block or don’t know what will reach? Pick a platform and check out their newsroom. Read the latest updates and get to know them well before you test. That way you’re up to date, have inspiration, and know what you can test with.

Always, ALWAYS be your authentic self. Stand up for what you believe in but be open to having discussions with others across the business to better understand their difficulties. This will enable you to bring your passion, creativity and ideas to the table to (hopefully!) help them to resolve them through the power of social media marketing.

Be enthusiastic! Show the people who make decisions that you're up for learning, want to go the extra mile & have the determination to do so. I only landed in marketing because the marketing manager where I was working (as a brand administrator) knew who I was & saw potential in me because of those 3 points above ??

Le domaine du marketing des réseaux sociaux est vaste. Il serait prétentieux de vouloir tout ma?triser en quelques mois. Choisissez un ou deux points aspects qui vous intéressent et concentrez-vous dessus jusqu'à ce que vous soyez bons.

Keep it natural, you want it to look like a post, not an ad. What are your audience sharing and consuming? How can you add value to their lives?

The emergence of bi-directional marketing and advertising has opened new doors for understanding our customers better. It's not just about knowing what they value, but also about resonating with their needs and expectations. Authenticity in communication is key; your audience can easily detect insincerity. Before sharing any message, consider these critical questions: Does this content truly resonate with my audience? Am I providing solutions or valuable information? Could this potentially alienate any stakeholders? By embodying authenticity, approachability, and being well-informed, you demonstrate a deep understanding of your audience's values, fostering a stronger, longer-lasting relationship.

My first job in social media was in 2009. I was a teacher, bank manager, marketing manager, and more, before that. I have never "studied" to become a social media professional. I never took a course or specialist degree. I learned everything i know by: - reading... lots! - immersing myself in social media feeds - attending industry events - networking with social media geeks - experimenting. Trial and error - having a supportive boss that let me make mistakes Some of the traits of a good social media manager: - curiosity - good at copywriting - deep knowledge of major social platforms - understanding of human psychology/online behaviour - being a great multitasker Get stuck in... You'll figure it out if you're passionate about social

My job didn't exist when I was in college because social media didn't exist then. And to be honest, any social media textbook being studied now will be outdated in 6 months. Everything I learned about social media as a profession I learned on the job. And this profession changes daily. Just because you’re not in school or don't have a college degree doesn't mean your education has stopped or you're not able to gain hands-on experience. Read newsletters and articles. Follow social media professionals on places on relevant social channels. Take free online courses on YouTube, LinkedIn, or HubSpot. Whatever you do, never stop learning.

I began my social media career by aligning passions, skills and interests with opportunities. Social media specialists are combination of skills. Many will have come from a specialist subject matter and added social skills to the mix. For example, copy plus platform knowledge, design plus format experimentation, photography plus digital know-how. These basics are a great building blocks to showcase your passion. It is unlikely that a football club will hire a social specialist without an understanding and passion for sport. A fashion house is looking for a social specialist who is aware of digital trends. Consider how you combine your passions with social expertise to become uniquely suitable.

I'm privileged enough to have two degrees. but spoiler alert: they're both in medieval history. Not super relevant for a social media manager, right? The key skills you'll need for this job aren't necessarily taught in a classroom. Think about what you bring to the table! My strengths lie in storytelling, data analysis, and strategic thinking. All of these were talents that I grew while I studied history. And they're so, so important in marketing.

Social media was very new when I started, some people wanted to embrace it and others were scared of it (not much has changed). I started a Facebook account for the magazine I wrote for and experimented. So began a career. Key takeaways - - focus on finding what sets social media apart from other forms of communication - explore ALL the settings regularly - People make the world go round so get to truly know people. By listening, observing & acquiring good data - Product based social media marketing (tangible) varies from service based social media marketing (intangible) - you can never tell if a social media account is “good” or “bad” from its look or likes. You need to know it’s goals.