It’s hard to imagine modern life without the influence of the Internet. People buy various goods there, order services, communicate, get acquainted and just relax. The Internet has also become a place of work for many different specialists. Blogs, websites and social networks are where you can earn tens of thousands of dollars, and there are a lot of ways to earn money. Every day the number of websites increases, the number of users of social networks increases. All this leads to the emergence of new professions related to the development and promotion of Internet resources. Today we will talk about social promotion. I think there is no need to explain why social networks are the object of our attention. I will say only one thing - 180 million. This is exactly the number of registered VKontakte users, and of these, 50 million visit the site daily. This is a huge platform for making money, promoting your own brand and developing a website. And of course, there is a separate caste of people who are engaged in promotion on social networks, these are SMM specialists.
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SMM and SMO promotion – what is it?
Those who were previously interested in social promotion have probably already come across such abbreviations as SMM and SMO. What is it and what is the difference between them? If we look at it in detail, SMO (from the English Social Media Optimization) is one of the types of modern external website promotion, which consists of filling the website and promoting it on social networks. In fact, you don’t need to look at search engines, all the emphasis, and all the traffic you will get from various social networks. Networks. SMM (from the English Social Media Marketing) is the process of attracting visitors to a website using the capabilities of social networks. SMM specialists are also involved in the development of brands online and the formation of its positive image. To a greater extent, this is the work of marketers, but the main emphasis is on social media. I am sure that after reading the two definitions, you will ask, “What is the difference between SMM and SMO?” Although these concepts are very similar, they are not the same. We can say that SMO is an integral part of SMM. The main task of SMO is to attract social network users to your website. For this purpose, special groups are created, advertising campaigns and various promotions are carried out. SMM includes SMO, but the main goal is to popularize a brand, project, resource in the social network itself. The methods used in SMM promotion are more diverse and more creative. Here you need to think not in a stereotyped way, but to select more and more new ways to implement the assigned tasks.
SMM specialist - prospects for the profession
With the advent of the Internet, many large companies began to understand that it was the future, but if 10 years ago the prospects for various professions on the Internet were vague, then with the advent of social networks and the strengthening of their influence, it finally became clear that there would be a huge demand for good specialists. SEO optimizers used to be such specialists, but now more and more companies are focusing on promoting and creating a positive image on social networks. This is why they need SMM-boxes. As you understand, a specialist, no matter what field he worked in, was always valued. The Internet is no exception. Today, a master of social promotion can earn from $3,000 a month, and every day the opportunities for earning money, and, accordingly, profits, are only growing. The main thing here is to occupy your niche in time, while there is still good demand and there is an opportunity to make a decent name for yourself.
How to become an SMM specialist?
As Lenin said, “Study, study and study again.” In order to become an SMM specialist, you don’t need to spend 5 years wiping your pants at the university and getting an unnecessary diploma. Self-education is the basis of this promising profession. There are already many manuals on the Internet that will help you take your first steps. Pay attention to the phrase “first steps.” You just have to take the motion vector, understand the basics, and do all further study on your own. Try to create your own group and promote it using various methods. You can create a website and experiment, start driving traffic from social networks to your website. Believe me, no webinars or books will give you the experience that you will get on your own. Only real practice and understanding of the thinking of network users can turn you from an ordinary user into a real SMM master.
Why is SMM better than other promotion methods?
Speaking about SMM, it is worthwhile to dwell in more detail on the advantages of such promotion over other types of development of your own brand, product or resource. After all, I declare that SMM is the future, and it wouldn’t be bad to show you the real advantages that social networks have today, not even to mention what will happen in a couple of years, given the frantic pace of development of social networks.
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- SMM promotion is cheaper than SEO or advertising from search engines. This factor can be decisive for a young businessman who does not have a lot of money for promotion. Over time, the effect of SMM will only increase, and there will be more and more promotion methods. It can be assumed that the price will not rise.
- Incredible prospects. It would seem that the largest social network, VKontakte, already unites 180 million people, much more. But no, it is actively developing, more and more new people are being attracted, the audience is growing. This means that SMM also has good prospects, and not just good, but excellent.
- Viral intensity of promotion. With the help of SMM, you can easily launch viral advertising, which in a matter of days can raise your brand from rags to riches. Social networks are the best place for this type of advertising. Very fast dissemination of information, easy exchange between users, accessibility - perhaps these are the determining factors that speak for SMM.
- Lack of big competition. Not everyone has yet understood the possibilities of social networks, although the development trend is good. If in search engines, in order to take top positions and attract visitors for a competitive query, you need to work very hard, then with social networks everything is much simpler. Of course, over time, competition and the struggle for users will only increase, but in any case, SMM has more prospects and options for attracting people.
SEO cannot boast of such an effect, since this type of promotion is not intended for viral marketing at all.
SMM is one of those areas in which people with a humanities education can easily feel comfortable. And a lot here depends on which path the novice specialist takes. How to protect yourself from wrong decisions and become a serious SMM specialist in a short time?
How to become an SMM specialist
So, you intend to become a social media marketing expert. Great choice! What's next? New horizons are opening up before you. Now you can:
- Become a full-time SMM specialist in a company;
- Get a job in a large SMM agency;
- Become part of a team of freelancers in a small agency;
- Stop looking for an employer and develop yourself.
As you can imagine, each of these options has its own advantages and disadvantages. Let's talk about them in more detail.
Company member
If we sensibly evaluate this prospect, then this is not the best decision for a beginner. High competition with professionals in their field can quickly “extinguish the fetus” of a novice specialist.
Advantages: working in a company, you will be able to familiarize yourself in detail with all the nuances of SMM. The newcomer will have to carry out various tasks, and this is good news for those who like variety.
Disadvantages: a new specialist will be tasked with a lot of copywriting (there is practically no need to rely on targeting). In this case, a creative approach to the matter will not be applicable, since the audience is always alone.
It’s not so bad if you get a job as an SMM specialist in a company whose focus coincides with your interests. But if this is not the case, the beginner risks facing serious challenges.
It is advisable to get a job as an SMM specialist in a large company if the specialist has already gained experience in large areas. This is not the best job option to start with. On the contrary, people join a company for stability and peace of mind. That is, much later.
But if you are a beginner, then get a job at the company for a short time. This is a great opportunity to understand how SMM functions.
Employee at a large agency
Let's continue the series of “bad ideas for starting.” Here, a novice specialist may face harsh criticism. A new and inexperienced employee will quickly be given an understanding of his place. You may not even dream of responsible assignments and praises from your superiors. You will be assigned a small task, and all the fun will go to the pros. This is not a place where your professionalism will be appreciated. All that remains is to either accept this fact or look for another job.
Advantages:
- Various clients;
- Detailed instructions.
Disadvantages: you will not be able to feel on par with experienced specialists. They will get the most difficult and interesting work, thanks to which they will gain experience and grow their income. It is also not customary for agencies to fulfill orders “100%”. Clients don't come here looking for perfection.
Agency work is only suitable for two types of newcomers:
- Employees who want to get practice and understand how the system works;
- Beginner SMM specialists who are ready to work under these conditions and perform monotonous simple tasks.
Employee in a small agency
Finally, we got to those options that are really appropriate at the start. What does working for a small agency give you? Firstly, you find yourself in a “universal” team. Here employees perform a wide variety of tasks. That is, you can forget about routine workdays. From time to time you will complete your tasks, but as soon as the “race” begins, you will have to do the first, and the second, and the tenth.
And this is great, since any multifaceted profession requires comprehensive study. This is the only way to gain the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge for successful development in the field of SMM. A beginner will immediately be able to decide in which direction he should move next.
Advantages: working in a small agency is like a “hodgepodge”. You will encounter a variety of activities. The newcomer is surrounded by experienced colleagues who perceive him as a full participant in the process. This is where you can cast aside the role of a “gear” and develop independently.
Disadvantages: fixed salary.
In short, this option is really suitable for a beginner. After working in a small agency, you can choose any path - from freelancing to a large company.
Freelancer
Freelancing is also suitable for aspiring social media marketers. This is a brighter prospect for those who love and value their freedom. Yes, even a beginner can immediately demand independence from the employer. But with all the benefits, you need to be prepared for the difficulties that lie in wait along this path.
A newbie freelancer has no experience. You will not be able to handle a large and serious project. You will have to prepare for a long time, or look for primitive orders. This rarely stops risky people. They are not averse to getting their first bumps, but not all specialists are inherent in risk.
Advantages: independent job search. Projects belong only to you. You'll have to work for your reputation, but it's worth it. A good freelancer will be able to develop faster.
Disadvantages: the freelancer is responsible for the result. Independent search for clients. Self-discipline must be at the highest level.
Becoming a successful freelance social media manager is difficult, but possible. The main thing is that your lack of experience does not ruin your reputation. If you find good projects and complete them according to the customer's requirements, everything will turn out great.
From the author: Hello, my dear readers! Today I would like to talk about the popular and, most importantly, in-demand Internet profession of SMM specialist! No one will deny that the Internet has a huge impact on the life of every person, especially social networks. On the Internet we can not only communicate, get acquainted and find various useful information, but also order services and buy goods. If you belong to the category of people who like to combine business with pleasure, if you are interested in the question: how to become an SMM specialist and earn money by using your favorite social networks, then this article is just for you!
Who is an SMM specialist?
I would like to immediately note that an SMM manager is a universal specialist who manages the presence and promotion of a brand on social networks and channels, such as Odnoklassniki, VKontakte, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Moi Mir, etc.
Its main tasks are to strengthen the client’s image, increase the reach of interested audiences, process negativity, and neutralize “black PR” on social networks.
The main goal of a social media specialist is to create a positive image for his customer. An SMM manager develops a plan to promote a brand in certain social networks, organizes work to find and neutralize negative reviews, increases the audience and performs many other equally important responsibilities.
What are the responsibilities of an SMM specialist?
Before you think about how to become an SMM manager, and which SMM specialist courses to take, you should familiarize yourself with the main responsibilities and requirements for candidates for this position.
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What skills do you need to master?
So, having understood the responsibilities of an SMM specialist, you can determine the basic skills that you will have to master. First of all, you need to thoroughly know the functionality and capabilities of the social network in which the work will take place. An SMM specialist should be able to:
create groups, communities, events and public pages;
know how to get likes, classes, tweets and other manifestations of user activity;
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be able to attract subscribers and send traffic to the customer’s website or affiliate programs.
In addition to social media skills, you need to know the basics of web design. After all, an SMM specialist must be able to create an attractive community design and know how to make beautiful “selling” pictures. To obtain these skills, you can take video courses on web design or on-site training. An SMM specialist must have a sense of beauty and be a versatile person. It will be equally useful to learn the basics of SEO promotion and video and photo editors.
Where to study to become an SMM specialist?
Despite the fact that an SMM specialist is a very promising and in-demand profession, there is nowhere to get an education in this specialty. Since the profession is at the intersection of IT and marketing, a common requirement for candidates is high computer literacy - basic knowledge of programming languages, principles of building and filling websites, knowledge of various applications and tools.
How to become an SMM manager if there is no such specialty in universities? There are only two ways to gain basic knowledge: take part-time courses or master the necessary skills yourself. Moreover, the second option is no less effective, because now on the Internet you can find a huge number of books, video courses and articles on any topic.
It is not necessary to look for courses directly on SMM; you can start by studying web design and HTML, then master the skills of working in photo and video editors, take and learn the basics of SEO promotion.
Why should you choose the profession of an SMM specialist?
If, after you found out how much you will have to study to become a professional in the field of SMM, the desire to move towards your goal only became stronger, then here are the main advantages of this profession:
none of your friends will know exactly what your work is about. After the phrase “I am an SMM manager,” everyone will listen to you meaningfully, and if you also clarify that you work in social networks, then they will also envy you;
you will always be aware of all Internet jokes, because this will be part of your responsibilities;
if you work in an office, then no one will ever be able to forbid you to be on social networks;
you will receive job offers regularly. After all, if you become a professional in your field, it will be quite difficult not to notice you on a social network;
after about a year of work, you will learn to look at the world with different eyes and stop being offended by people (all conflicts for you will simply be working with objections);
Working as an SMM manager, you will become an interesting and versatile person.
Of course, it is impossible to list all the advantages of working in the SMM sphere, because they open up differently for everyone. If you are ready to work hard, open up to new knowledge and strive to reach your goal without sparing yourself, then success is guaranteed! Did you like the article? Subscribe to our blog and share with friends. See you again!
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Greetings, dear friends. Today we’ll talk about one of the interesting professions in which you can work and earn decent money. Considering that we are all constantly connected to social networks and spend almost all our free time there, it is also possible to find a job there. Which one? Highly paid!!!
The profession of SMM specialist has appeared recently. With the development of social networks, it is becoming more and more in demand. The work of an SMM manager is based on the tasks and principles of SMM marketing.
SMM marketing tasks
Smm ( Social Media Marketing– social media marketing) - work to attract the attention of the target audience to a website, brand, company or product through social platforms.
Objectives of this direction in marketing:
- promotion of web resources, products or services through social media. networks;
- unobtrusive placement or encouragement of posting information, links to resources in topics;
- stimulating interest among users to switch to the full version of the site from social media. networks;
- viral marketing – spreading advertising on a social network using likes, reposts, etc.
Smm specialist who is this
A manager in Social Media Marketing is a person involved in attracting attention to a brand, product, website through social networks. The main task is to interest and attract target subscribers with the offer, create a positive image of the product, provoke them to take actions to go to the main page of the site or purchase the offered product. The marketer must conduct hidden advertising so as not to alienate users.
Functions of an SMM specialist:
- administration and moderation of groups and communities - attracting and encouraging users to advertise the group on their pages, suppressing obscene language, answering questions from participants, maintaining topics;
- drawing up a plan of articles and topics for social platforms;
- preparation of videos for promotions;
- placement of fresh materials;
- analysis of traffic and sources;
- miscalculation of work efficiency;
- miscalculation of the advertising budget.
How to become an SMM specialist
Due to the novelty of the specialty, the profession of SMM manager is not taught in educational institutions. At various online courses, seminars and trainings, you can gain the knowledge that an SMM specialist should have, who he is and what he does. A professional must have the knowledge and skills:
- psychologist - be able to communicate, predict user reactions, reduce the negative reaction of the audience;
- analytics - be able to analyze the results of your work, look for effective tools;
- marketer - recognize your target audience, know in which communities they communicate;
- copywriter - be able to create interesting, attention-grabbing, unique selling content.
To work successfully you need:
- know and be able to buy likes, reposts, retweets, offers, etc.;
- process photos in a graphics editor;
- be able to work with animation, memes;
- come up with interesting texts for posts that correspond to the customer’s topic;
- know the basics of contextual advertising, internet statistics, SEO, SMS;
- be able to analyze Internet traffic.
How much does an SMM manager earn?
Salaries for social media marketing specialists. networks can vary greatly. The income range ranges from 5 to 100 thousand rubles, depending on the following factors:
- customer region;
- work experience and qualifications;
- volume of work;
- employer;
- remote work.
In the regions, the average salary of a SMM specialist ranges from 25 to 30 thousand rubles, in Moscow he receives an average of 50-60 thousand rubles, and in St. Petersburg 40-50 thousand rubles.
The qualifications of the manager are of great importance. A beginner specialist can receive from 25-30 thousand rubles. in Moscow. One year of experience in SMM marketing allows you to receive a salary from 30 – 40 thousand rubles per month. A professional with at least 2 years of experience and good knowledge of SEO and web analytics tools can earn money in Moscow from 50-60 thousand rubles. Good command of foreign languages, in addition to the listed skills, increases the lower salary threshold from 70-90 thousand rubles.
Working full-time on staff at a company or agency pays higher than working remotely. In agencies, managers manage several projects at the same time; accordingly, their salaries are higher than those who work on one project in the company.
Salaries depend on the size of the organization. In large companies, the salaries of SMM managers are higher than in medium and small companies.
The profession of an SMM specialist is today a promising and well-paid one. Demand for social marketing professionals networks are constantly growing. Having enough knowledge and constantly learning, you can master a sought-after profession with a permanent income.
Sincerely, Galiulin Ruslan.
SMM stands for Social Media Marketing or social media marketing. An SMM specialist or SMM manager promotes a company, its brand, products and services on social networks - Vkontakte, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, Odnoklassniki, Youtube, Telegram and others.
The profession of an SMM specialist involves complex, multi-purpose work - writing posts, maintaining public pages, advertising, communicating with visitors and clients, launching activities for users and other tasks. This kind of work requires constant communication and being online. You need to prepare for this psychologically.
To better understand who an SMM specialist/manager is, I will describe what he looks like from the outside:
Artem, my “workshop” colleague, did not work at his desk, but sat on the sofa all the time. He had a laptop on his lap, an iPhone on his left, a notebook and a tablet on the coffee table. Something was constantly beeping, buzzing and vibrating. He regularly picked up the phone, looked, laughed, pointed and moved his finger across the screen and whispered something with his lips. Nobody called him, but they wrote and liked him a ton, and he kept track of everything and responded to everything.
Places of work
SMM managers work in online agencies, digital agencies and in companies that build sales and promotion through social networks.
Tasks and responsibilities of an SMM specialist
The main responsibilities of an SMM manager are:
Requirements for an SMM specialist
As a rule, an SMM manager is required to:
- Competent communication (oral and written). Ability to write interesting texts.
- The ability to develop communities and attract subscribers without promotion or direct purchase.
- Experience in conducting targeted advertising. Knowledge of programs and services that automate and simplify work (for example, Cerebro Target or Pepper.ninja).
- Knowledge of web analytics (Google Analytics, Yandex.Metrica).
Sometimes the requirements for an SMM specialist include:
- Work experience and portfolio of completed projects.
- Knowledge of graphics packages for photo processing, creating pictures and infographics.
- Excellent knowledge of English.
- Experience in organizing events.
- Knowledge of marketing and ability to promote products and services in the market.
The first way to become an SMM manager is through self-study and freelancing. Developing your own public pages and blogs (for example, about a hobby or an interesting topic), working as a freelancer with entry-level orders in six months to a year will give you practical experience and allow you to develop a portfolio. This, in turn, will give you a chance to get a job in a digital agency and grow into a professional. This is one of the shortest routes into the profession, but it requires self-discipline.
The second way to become an SMM specialist is to get a higher education in the field of PR, journalism, marketing, or take courses in SMM and find a job in promotion on social networks. Even an entry-level position is suitable - an assistant to an SMM specialist or a copywriter. In the process, you can quickly gain experience, grow and start leading serious projects.
SMM specialist salary
Market analysis shows that SMM specialists earn approximately 30 to 90 thousand rubles per month. The higher the salary, the closer the SMM manager is to marketing and the more serious the problems he solves.