By Clint Sanchez · Published · Updated · 3 min read
Quick answer
A social media marketer needs five core skills: a firm understanding of each platform and its algorithm, strong copywriting that moves people to click, sign up, or buy, graphic design ability or fluency with tools like Canva, basic coding for tracking pixels, embedded links, and simple landing pages, and working SEO knowledge including keyword research and backlinking. All five can be learned through practice and courses like Hootsuite Academy.
Key takeaways
- Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and LinkedIn each run a different algorithm, so a marketer has to know how each feed decides what people see.
- Copywriting drives action: the copy has to match the brand voice and still get the reader to click, subscribe, or buy.
- Free tools like Canva and Picmaker make on-brand visuals possible without formal design training.
- Basic coding covers tracking pixels, fixing embedded links, and building simple landing pages and email blasts in HTML.
- SEO knowledge, including keyword research and backlinking, keeps a brand's content visible when people search related topics.
- Courses such as Hootsuite Academy and Google's advertising certifications teach these skills to anyone willing to practice.
Social media marketing is one of the hottest, most in-demand fields today. With the ever-growing importance of digital marketing, businesses are scrambling to find qualified social media marketers to help them grow their online presence.
But what does it take to be a successful social media marketer? Below, we’ve compiled a list of the top five skills and certifications you’ll need to have under your belt if you want to excel in this field.
1. A firm understanding of social media platforms and their algorithms.
If you’re going to be working as a social media marketer, it’s important that you have a strong understanding of how each platform works.
Want this handled for you? We build and market websites for Louisiana businesses, and we will tell you honestly if you do not need us.
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, LinkedIn… Each operates differently and has its own algorithm that determines what content users see. As a social media marketer, it will be your job to create content that not only looks good and catches users’ attention but also optimized content that appears at the top of each platform’s feed.
2. Strong copywriting skills.
A considerable part of social media marketing is creating compelling copy that entices users to take action: clicking on a link, signing up for a newsletter, or making a purchase.
As a social media marketer, you’ll need to be able to write persuasive copy that accurately represents the voice of your brand while also resonating with your target audience.
3. Graphic design skills.
Another critical aspect of social media marketing is creating eye-catching visuals to accompany your copy. From simple graphics to more complex GIFs and videos, your visuals must be high quality and on brand. If graphic design isn’t your strong suit, don’t worry – plenty of free online tools (like Canva or Picmaker) make creating visuals easy and fun!
4. Basic coding skills.
While you don’t need to be a developer to work in social media marketing, basic coding skills will definitely come in handy. Coding skills will allow you to perform simple tasks like setting up tracking pixels and troubleshooting issues with embedded links. And if you want to really impress potential employers, learning HTML can give you the ability to create custom landing pages and email blasts – without having to outsource those tasks to someone else.
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, and LinkedIn each run a different algorithm, so a marketer has to know how each feed decides what people see.
5. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) knowledge.
Last but not least, SEO knowledge is essential for any social media marketer worth their salt. SEO helps your content appear at the top of search engine results pages, leading to more website visitors (and conversions!). Understanding how SEO works and implementing strategies like keyword research and backlinking into your content strategy can help make sure that your brand’s content appears front and center when users search for related topics online.
Conclusion:
So there you have it – the top five skills/certifications every social media marketer should have! While this list may seem intimidating at first, remember that all of these skills can be learned with time and practice.
And if you’re feeling extra motivated, there are plenty of online courses (like Hootsuite Academy) and certification programs (such as Google Ads) available that can teach you everything you need to know about social media marketing (and more!).
Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments below:
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About the author
Founder & Lead Developer · Denham Springs, LA
Clint has built and marketed websites for 26 years, since founding BlakSheep Creative in 2000. He is also a 29-year firefighter and a 23-year member of IAFF Local 557, which is where the bias toward plain answers over sales copy comes from.
- Veteran-owned
- Firefighter-owned
- IAFF Local 557
Common questions about digital marketing
Which social media platforms should a marketer understand?
Why does a social media marketer need copywriting skills?
Do social media marketers need to know how to code?
How does SEO relate to social media marketing?
What certifications help a social media marketer?
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