Social Media: More Than Meets the Eye

I had a mentee recently ask me if she should pursue a career in social media, my short answer… YES! And with that, I thought to share my reasons why.

Social media has had a profound impact on businesses (i.e. marketing, creative, care, commerce, communications, audience engagement) and it has been such a privilege to have been a part of the evolution (or is it a revolution?).

Social media is one discipline that has allowed me to lean into and merge different passions without having to give up one for the other – strategy, innovation + tech, creativity, marketing, teaching, leading, insights, community to name a few.

Let me unpack this further..

Creative: Social media has allowed me to play creative director in a different capacity. While I am no designer, I am able to be part of the creative process offering ideas, sharing what content can work on which platform for specific audiences. Though in my early years, I was the designer, creating content, writing the copy and I was using Photoshop as this was before Canva ;)

Influence, Inform, Inspire: Social media platforms provides a way for the marketer in me to help influence people’s opinions and choices about everything from causes they want to support or learn more about; the next book they’ll read, the film they'll watch; the pillow and throw they'll buy, or the FI they’ll bank with. And this does not have to be in an obtrusive sales-y way… but instead providing consumers with what they need in an authentic and relevant way in order to make informed decisions.?

OG Bloggers: Before they were called ‘influencers’, I worked with OG bloggers who shared their thoughts, experiences, and expertise through blogs and videos. They engaged with their readers and viewers, fostering community and discussions, and creating a sense of intimacy and connection. They were bloggers and vloggers turned influencers and creators.

Community: There was a time when community was everything (and I am glad that it’s taking centre stage once again) and social platforms enabled connections between like-minded people and where communities were built around shared interests. As a brand, to be able to be part of and in some cases foster these meaningful relationships and discussions was definitely something.?

Innovation: For anyone who knows me, I love new tech and innovation and perhaps I should have led with this point. Many times it's a catalyst for change, having an impact on humans and brands alike. Think about the way we shop – social commerce has become part of retail commerce strategy, it's changed how and where we buy. I'd go as far as to say that it's disrupted the customer journey (and marketing funnel) that we've hold close for so long.

Social platforms are many times the first to integrate other technologies i.e. AI, VR in a seamless and relevant way, (can we pause and give Snapchat the credit it deserves here) and too impacting industries like retail (i.e. try on the virtual Gucci sneaker before deciding to spend. Do this from the comfort of your mobile device, wherever you are using a Snap Lens.) In many ways Snapchat users who played around with such Lens were early adopters of technologies like AR.

I've even used social media to crowdsource ideas, suggestions, and feedback that then led to innovative solutions that helped drive change within companies.

Thought Leader: Getting into social media early on (web 1.0 & 2.0) with an immediate passion for the space has opened up many opportunities to do keynotes, develop workshops, develop and teach related curriculum, coach and mentor, bring many 'social firsts' to companies before their competitors, be asked to share POVs and what's new in the space. Would I call me an early adopter... I think so!

Constant Learning: There's ongoing learning that comes with a career in social media. There’s the need to stay on top of the ever changing landscape: new social media platforms, features, and trends.

Know Your Audience: With social media you get to better understand your audience, how they are engaging on the platform, what they like . Social media platforms provide valuable insights into your (current or potential) audience demographics, engagement metrics, and content performance. And what's great is that you can then refine your strategies based on real-time feedback.

To pursue a career in social media... still not convinced? Send me a DM, I'd be happy to chat.