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What I’ve learnt being the only Social Media manager

Being the sole Social Media Manager can be an exciting and challenging experience. It can feel like a huge responsibility to be the sole person responsible for a company’s online presence. However, with experience comes knowledge, and over the past seven years of being the only Social Media Manager, I have learned some invaluable lessons that I want to share with you.

1. ‘Social Media’ is never just social media

As a Social Media Manager, your job is not limited to creating and posting content on social media platforms. You will also need to link to other content such as website content, blog posts or video content. Being able to think creatively and quickly to create content is a skill that will come in handy in this role.

2. You’ll learn skills that go beyond social media

Beyond algorithm understanding and hashtag optimisation, you’ll also become an expert in other areas such as copywriting, brand management, crisis response, and videography. Being a multitasker is a necessity, and being able to juggle these responsibilities will make you stand out in your role.

3. You’ll need to educate

Colleagues may not fully understand the vastness of your responsibilities. To ensure you have the support of your internal team, it is important to educate them on how much you do and the importance of your role. The more understanding they have, the easier your job will be.

4. Take breaks – yes, stop checking socials when you get home!

With all the responsibilities that come with this role, it can be easy to become overwhelmed. It is important to remember to take breaks and prioritize self-care to prevent burnout. And that means trying to restrict the amount of time you spend on your own social media after you clock off for the day.

5. Analytics actually become fun

Maybe it’s just the nerd in me, but one of the most enjoyable parts of the job is checking your analytics. It’s exciting to see how well your content is performing and using that data to create more effective strategies for future posts. However, it’s not just about gathering data – it’s about understanding it and using it to make informed decisions. Being able to interpret metrics such as engagement rates, click-through rates, and conversions will help you create more effective social media strategies.

6. Communication is key

As the sole Social Media Manager, you are the primary point of contact between the company and its customers on social media. It is essential to maintain open communication channels and respond promptly to any customer inquiries or concerns. Good communication skills will help you build trust with customers and ensure a positive brand image.

7. Flexibility is essential

The world of social media is constantly evolving, and you must stay up-to-date with the latest trends, changes in algorithms, and new platforms. As a Social Media Manager, you need to be flexible and adaptable to change. This requires a willingness to learn new skills, experiment with new strategies, and adjust your approach to stay relevant.

8. Collaboration is crucial

While you may be the only Social Media Manager, you are not working in a vacuum. You need to collaborate with other departments, such as marketing, sales, and customer service, to ensure a cohesive brand message across all channels. Building strong relationships with your colleagues and understanding their goals will help you create content that supports their objectives.

9. Be passionate!

Finally, to be successful as a Social Media Manager, you need to have a genuine passion for social media and a deep understanding of its potential to connect brands with their customers. This passion will help you stay motivated, stay up-to-date with the latest trends, and ultimately create content that resonates with your audience.

Being the only Social Media Manager can be challenging, but it can also be a rewarding experience that provides you with a diverse set of skills. If you’re considering a career in social media management, be prepared to wear many hats and stay on top of trends and innovations in the industry. And remember, always prioritise self-care to avoid burnout.

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‘LinkedIn Creators’: the new influencers?

Have you noticed how there’s been a LinkedIn resurgence?

Yep, it seems like LinkedIn is the new frontier for people to become influencers with the introduction of the LinkedIn Creator feature.

According to recent news articles, LinkedIn creators are individuals who use the platform to share their unique insights and perspectives on various topics. They’re not just sharing their professional experience and knowledge, but also their personality and stories.

It’s no surprise that LinkedIn is becoming the new home for influencers, given that the platform has over 700 million users worldwide. And with the rise of remote work, people are turning to LinkedIn more than ever to network, find job opportunities, and share their expertise.

Hannah's LinkedIn posts - creator mode

What’s interesting is that the content shared by LinkedIn creators is different from what you might see on other social media platforms. Instead of flashy photos or witty one-liners, LinkedIn creators share articles, thoughtful posts, and long-form content that delves deep into industry-specific topics.

And the best part? You don’t need a massive following to become a LinkedIn creator. According to a recent article by The Guardian, even those with a modest following can become a LinkedIn influencer by consistently sharing high-quality content that resonates with their audience.

One great example of a successful LinkedIn creator is Shay Rowbottom, who has gained over 130k followers on the platform by sharing her thoughts on social media and entrepreneurship. She’s even landed speaking gigs and consulting opportunities through her LinkedIn presence.

So, if you’re looking to build your personal brand and establish yourself as an expert in your field, it’s time to hop on the LinkedIn creator bandwagon. Share your unique perspectives, engage with your audience, and watch your following grow.

In conclusion, the rise of LinkedIn creators is proof that the platform is more than just a place to post your resume. It’s a place where individuals can showcase their expertise, share their stories, and build their personal brand. So, what are you waiting for? Start creating!

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Is Snapchat dead?

Did Kylie Jenner just kill Snapchat or was it already a sinking ship?

Snapchat boomed out of nowhere. Now, it’s an advertising platform for multi-million-pound companies; a far cry from being known as ‘that shady app’ for people sent ‘those kind of photos’ that conveniently disappeared.

It seems that Kylie Jenner killed Snapchat overnight with her tweet:

Kylie Jenner's tweet: 'sooo does anyone else not open Snapchat anymore? Or is it just me... ugh this is so sad.'

A tweet that cost Snapchat ONE BILLION DOLLARS.

However, it’s probably a little more complicated than that. Snapchat was being beaten to the floor and Kylie’s just delivered the final blow.

I just have the image of Scar and Mufusa (RIP) at the edge of that cliff. Here’s the metaphor:
Mufusa = Snapchat. Kylie = Scar. Cliff = shit tonne of money.

Image of Kylie Jenner's face photoshopped onto Scar from the Lion King and the Snapchat ghost photoshopped onto Mufusa, hanging from a cliff.

This is the worst photoshop ever. But I wanted to bring the vision to life. (Rights belong to Disney)

Following this episode, they made a very distasteful joke about Rihanna’s domestic abuse at the hands of Chris Brown. This led to a lot of angry Rihanna fans, and well most people on Snapchat, leading to further damage to their bank account ($800 Million).

There were a few bumps in the road before this. Snapchat was growing fast and making so much money, that perhaps these blips weren’t taken seriously.

Here is the timeline of Snapchat’s ups and downs:

2011
Snapchat launches

Everyone’s like: ‘hey I’m on Snapchat, add me!’ and then you’re like: ‘WTF is Snapchat’
Everyone: ‘It’s this thing where you send a photo to someone; it lasts for 10 seconds and then it disappears’
You: ‘So, it’s for sending dodgy pics that you don’t want other people to save to their camera roll’.
Everyone: ‘Uhhh… I guess’.

2012
Funding

Major funding goes on. They raise $10million and then value the company at $70million.
One of the funders of Instagram also invests.

October 2013
Stories

Snapchat launches the famous ‘snap stories’ function, which was an instant success.

November 2013
Snapchat pisses off Facebook

Facebook tries to buy Snapchat for $3billion. To which they declined. This probably turned Facebook’s friendly competition into: “I WILL END YOU”.
That’s what I took from it, but both companies declined to make a statement, so that’s PR talk for ‘i f*ckin h8 u now’.

2014
Hacked

Snapchat is hacked to send people spam pictures of fruit smoothies.

(Not that important. Highlights security problems, but I included this part mainly because this the nicest sort of spam you could receive).

2014
Snapchat gets in trouble

Snapchat broke the terms of the Federal Trade Commission. If you’re a blogger or in advertising, then you’ll be aware of how hot they are on their rules. Basically, Snapchat made out to the public that photos would not be saved and would disappear, when, in fact, that wasn’t the case and actually they were stored on a cloud somewhere.

2016
Snap’s estimated market value climbs to $25–35 billion.

August 2016
Facebook goes head-to-head

Facebook updates Instagram to include Instagram ‘stories’. Like… Ohhhh no you di’n’t!’
The is one of the worst things that has actually happened to Snapchat.
Snapchat growth slowed 82% after Instagram Stories launched and a lot of its audience was lost to Instagram.

March 2017

Snap Inc. goes on the NY Stock Exchange, selling 200 million, priced at $17 per share, for a total of $3.4 billion

June 2017
Snapchat are worried

Downloads drop by 22% and Snap’s share price falls in one week from $27 a share back down to its IPO* of $17… In other words ‘oh snap’ (pun intended).

August 2017
One year on since Instagram copies stories

Snap’s stats are crap.
Snapchat’s monthly active user rate down from 17.2% to 5%
Snapchat’s Stories users halts at 166 million daily users, whereas Instagram now has 250 million.

“Facebook and Instagram didn’t have to outdo Snapchat. They just needed to copy it and put it in a more convenient place in apps that people of all ages already use.”

Instagram Stories turns 1 as daily use surpasses Snapchat

January 2018
People hate Snapchat

Snapchat’s big redesign bashed in 83% of user reviews (*2.)

February 2018
Kylie’s tweet

One simple tweet from a reality person wiped $1billion of Snap’s stock market value.

March 2018
Rihanna vs. Snapchat

A ‘thrid party ad’ – put in airmarks, because Snapchat may be trying to place blame on someone else – slipped through their approval process and the ‘joke’ fell flat. It was a game of ‘would you rather slap Rihanna or punch Chris Brown?’. This alludes to the domestic abuse that Rihanna suffered at the hands of her ex-boyfriend and massive douchebag Chris Brown.

The result? Snapchat loses $800 million

Snapchat stocks plunged by 4 percent on Thursday, losing the app nearly a billion dollars this week—evidently due to Rihanna fans who decided to delete the platform from their smartphones.

‘Snapchat Lost $800 Million After Rihanna Criticized Its Offensive Ad’

So what’s going to happen?
Predictions

I don’t have a crystal ball, but it’s not looking great for the app, although I’m sure we haven’t seen the end of Snapchat. Now there are a lot of investors and companies relying on the app to make big money, so they won’t let it die so easily. It may be the case that Snapchat stops growing and gradually users begin to become inactive over a period of a couple of years, as advertisers stop paying.

The developers will do all they can to claw back their reputation and the users. I think it could be heading for a MySpace funeral. A site that was once visited MORE THAN GOOGLE, MySpace is now probably only visited by people looking up their old profile to have a laugh at photos from year 7. To fill you in, MySpace lost its users as soon as new owners began to monetise it. This is exactly what everyone is getting annoyed with on Snapchat.

What I think Snapchat might try next

Live videos

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and even YouTube all have live video facilities. To compete and stay relevant, Snapchat may end up doing the same. Well, they’ll need to do the same. They dabbled with broadcasting the Winter Olympics in February, however, have no plans to let users launch their own live videos. Missing a trick there.

Influencer Marketing

They’ve had a lot of bad press from some of the biggest names in celebrity culture, so maybe to counteract it, maybe they’ll try some proactive positive PR by using celebrities to promote it, to counteract the negative from Kylie and Rihanna.

Make advertising easier for brands

Digital marketing research showed that “brands and media buyers believe Snapchat is the hardest platform to advertise on” over Facebook, Twitter, Google and Amazon. It’s also one of the most difficult to gauge Return On Investment. If Snapchat is to survive, they need to stay competitive with Facebook – where marketers put most of their marketing budget – so, Snapchat need to lure back their advertisers, so they can keep their investors happy and retain profit.

Snapchat will most likely have a few more tricks up its sleeves before it disappears. What do you think will happen to Snapchat?

Do you think Snapchat has had its day? Or do you think it will ride out the rough patch and survive?

Sources

1. Twitter

2. Tech Crunch

3. Forbes

4. Vanity Fair

5. Digiday

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