Social media manager vs. social media marketer: What<\/a>‘s the difference?<\/b><\/h3>\nSocial media managers and marketers have very similar roles, and the two titles are often used interchangeably. However, the term marketer is more commonly used for freelance specialists<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/justfineinfotech.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/purple-hash-pattern.svg_-1.png\")
<\/p>\n
A social media marketer uses social media to promote a company\u2019s product offerings. Here are some tasks you might do as a social media marketer:<\/p>\n
\n- \n
Oversee an organisation\u2019s overall social media strategy<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Work with copywriters and designers to create and publish social media posts<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Monitor social media metrics to optimise future performance<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Stay up-to-date with social media trends, technologies, laws, and best practices<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Respond to and engage with user comments and messages<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Use social listening tools to understand what people are saying on social media about a company<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Do social media marketers put out paid ads for companies?<\/b><\/h3>\n
Generally, social media marketers don\u2019t orchestrate the paid ads you might see on Facebook or Twitter. Other marketing roles like advertising specialists, paid media specialists, and marketing coordinators typically oversee paid ad efforts. However, you may see smaller companies blend the usually distinct roles<\/p>\n
Jobs in social media are projected to grow as social media usage for individuals and businesses continues to increase. In 2023, there is an estimated 4.83 billion social media users worldwide [1]<\/p>\n
According to Payscale, social media marketers in India make an average salary of \u20b94,15,000 [2]<\/p>\n
1. Learn social media marketing skills<\/h3>\n
You\u2019ll want to polish certain skills as you begin your job search. These include:<\/p>\n
\n- \n
Social media<\/b>: It\u2019ll be crucial to know a variety of social media platforms well. Facebook is the most popular platform in India, with more than 50 per cent of traffic in the country. Instagram has just over 5 per cent of the traffic [3<\/a>]. However, companies may also use Twitter, WhatsApp, Pinterest, Tiktok, LinkedIn, and others depending on their audience. You\u2019ll want to know what kinds of posts do well on each platform, the audiences’ differences, and how to capitalise on trends.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n- \n
Analytical tools: Social media marketing analysis tools are used to track performance, analyse trends, and mitigate digital risk. Commonly used tools include Hootsuite, SproutSocial, and HubSpot<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- \n
Content creation:<\/b>Creating content for social media can look different depending on the platform, but you\u2019ll generally need some design sensibility and a good grasp of writing skills.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n2. Look for entry-level opportunities<\/h3>\n
Entry-level opportunities can include jobs, freelancing, or volunteering. Explore different options to see what fits your needs<\/p>\n
Entry-level jobs: An entry-level position generally requires less relevant experience and can allow you to learn about social media marketing on the job. In your job search, keep an eye out for entry-level titles such as:<\/p>\n
\n- \n
Marketing intern or social media intern<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Social media coordinator<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Social media specialist<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Social media associate<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Social media analyst<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Freelance: Consider freelancing to build up your experience. You can build a portfolio on a freelance website like Fiverr or Upwork<\/p>\n
Volunteer:Volunteer opportunities may have less stringent requirements. Look for local or remote opportunities through volunteer search sites like VolunteerMatch<\/p>\n
Build your own social media pages: Sometimes, jumping in and doing it yourself is the best way to learn. Create your own Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, or Facebook business page to learn how each works and best practices in content creation. You can also point to these accounts in job applications as well<\/p>\n
3. Expand your professional network<\/h3>\n
Networking might be intimidating\u2014but it can be an excellent way to learn more about job opportunities, get job-search advice, and gain knowledge about the field. Your network might include friends, family, alums of your alma mater, or old coworkers<\/p>\n
If you don\u2019t know where to start, join groups for social media professionals on LinkedIn or Facebook. This can expose you to job postings, familiarize you with the job landscape, and help you research how people landed the jobs they have.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Learning the dynamics of social media is the first step in becoming a social media professional. If you\u2019re looking for a place to start, consider the Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Professional Certificate or the Adobe Social Media and Content Creation Specialization. You\u2019ll learn how to create posts, manage accounts, develop advertising campaigns, and assess results<\/p>\n
Article sources<\/h2>\n
1.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sprout Social. “41 of the most important social media marketing statistics for 2022, https:\/\/sproutsocial.com\/insights\/social-media-statistics\/.” Accessed August 2, 2023<\/p>\n
Keep reading<\/h2>\n\n- 4 Ps of Marketing: What They Are and How to Use Them
\nAugust 12, 2025<\/li>\n - Influencer Marketing: A Guide to Developing Your Strategy
\nNovember 29, 2023<\/li>\n - How to Get Started with Inbound Marketing
\nNovember 29, 2023<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nUpdated on May 8, 2026
\nWritten by:<\/p>\n
Coursera Staff<\/h3>\n
Editorial Team<\/p>\n
Coursera\u2019s editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact<\/p>\n
This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals<\/p>\n
\n\n Related:<\/strong>
\n
\n Digital Automation Training Benin: 5 Winning Skills Employers Demand in 2026
\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n\n
\n WhatsApp Marketing Automation Africa: 6 Dangerous Mistakes Brands Make in Nigeria
\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\nWant to learn this practically?<\/h3>\n
Join Justfine Infotech<\/strong> and build real digital skills<\/a> in AI, automation, web development, digital marketing, office productivity, e-commerce, freelancing and cybersecurity.<\/p>\nAvailable Programmes:<\/strong>
\n 6 Weeks Certificate \u2022 3 Months Professional Certificate \u2022 6 Months Diploma \u2022 Full Professional Diploma<\/p>\nWhatsApp:<\/strong>
\n +229 01 57 57 99 15
\n +229 01 66 68 11 60<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nOversee an organisation\u2019s overall social media strategy<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Work with copywriters and designers to create and publish social media posts<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Monitor social media metrics to optimise future performance<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Stay up-to-date with social media trends, technologies, laws, and best practices<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Respond to and engage with user comments and messages<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Use social listening tools to understand what people are saying on social media about a company<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Do social media marketers put out paid ads for companies?<\/b><\/h3>\n
Generally, social media marketers don\u2019t orchestrate the paid ads you might see on Facebook or Twitter. Other marketing roles like advertising specialists, paid media specialists, and marketing coordinators typically oversee paid ad efforts. However, you may see smaller companies blend the usually distinct roles<\/p>\n
Jobs in social media are projected to grow as social media usage for individuals and businesses continues to increase. In 2023, there is an estimated 4.83 billion social media users worldwide [1]<\/p>\n
According to Payscale, social media marketers in India make an average salary of \u20b94,15,000 [2]<\/p>\n
1. Learn social media marketing skills<\/h3>\n
You\u2019ll want to polish certain skills as you begin your job search. These include:<\/p>\n
- \n
- \n
Social media<\/b>: It\u2019ll be crucial to know a variety of social media platforms well. Facebook is the most popular platform in India, with more than 50 per cent of traffic in the country. Instagram has just over 5 per cent of the traffic [3<\/a>]. However, companies may also use Twitter, WhatsApp, Pinterest, Tiktok, LinkedIn, and others depending on their audience. You\u2019ll want to know what kinds of posts do well on each platform, the audiences’ differences, and how to capitalise on trends.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- \n
Analytical tools: Social media marketing analysis tools are used to track performance, analyse trends, and mitigate digital risk. Commonly used tools include Hootsuite, SproutSocial, and HubSpot<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- \n
- \n
Content creation:<\/b>Creating content for social media can look different depending on the platform, but you\u2019ll generally need some design sensibility and a good grasp of writing skills.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
2. Look for entry-level opportunities<\/h3>\n
Entry-level opportunities can include jobs, freelancing, or volunteering. Explore different options to see what fits your needs<\/p>\n
Entry-level jobs: An entry-level position generally requires less relevant experience and can allow you to learn about social media marketing on the job. In your job search, keep an eye out for entry-level titles such as:<\/p>\n
- \n
- \n
Marketing intern or social media intern<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Social media coordinator<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Social media specialist<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Social media associate<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Social media analyst<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Freelance: Consider freelancing to build up your experience. You can build a portfolio on a freelance website like Fiverr or Upwork<\/p>\n
Volunteer:Volunteer opportunities may have less stringent requirements. Look for local or remote opportunities through volunteer search sites like VolunteerMatch<\/p>\n
Build your own social media pages: Sometimes, jumping in and doing it yourself is the best way to learn. Create your own Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, or Facebook business page to learn how each works and best practices in content creation. You can also point to these accounts in job applications as well<\/p>\n
3. Expand your professional network<\/h3>\n
Networking might be intimidating\u2014but it can be an excellent way to learn more about job opportunities, get job-search advice, and gain knowledge about the field. Your network might include friends, family, alums of your alma mater, or old coworkers<\/p>\n
If you don\u2019t know where to start, join groups for social media professionals on LinkedIn or Facebook. This can expose you to job postings, familiarize you with the job landscape, and help you research how people landed the jobs they have.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Learning the dynamics of social media is the first step in becoming a social media professional. If you\u2019re looking for a place to start, consider the Google Digital Marketing & E-commerce Professional Certificate or the Adobe Social Media and Content Creation Specialization. You\u2019ll learn how to create posts, manage accounts, develop advertising campaigns, and assess results<\/p>\n
Article sources<\/h2>\n
1.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sprout Social. “41 of the most important social media marketing statistics for 2022, https:\/\/sproutsocial.com\/insights\/social-media-statistics\/.” Accessed August 2, 2023<\/p>\n
Keep reading<\/h2>\n
- \n
- 4 Ps of Marketing: What They Are and How to Use Them
\nAugust 12, 2025<\/li>\n - Influencer Marketing: A Guide to Developing Your Strategy
\nNovember 29, 2023<\/li>\n - How to Get Started with Inbound Marketing
\nNovember 29, 2023<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nUpdated on May 8, 2026
\nWritten by:<\/p>\nCoursera Staff<\/h3>\n
Editorial Team<\/p>\n
Coursera\u2019s editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact<\/p>\n
This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals<\/p>\n
\n\n Related:<\/strong>
\n
\n Digital Automation Training Benin: 5 Winning Skills Employers Demand in 2026
\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n\n
\n WhatsApp Marketing Automation Africa: 6 Dangerous Mistakes Brands Make in Nigeria
\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\nWant to learn this practically?<\/h3>\n
Join Justfine Infotech<\/strong> and build real digital skills<\/a> in AI, automation, web development, digital marketing, office productivity, e-commerce, freelancing and cybersecurity.<\/p>\n
Available Programmes:<\/strong>
\n 6 Weeks Certificate \u2022 3 Months Professional Certificate \u2022 6 Months Diploma \u2022 Full Professional Diploma<\/p>\nWhatsApp:<\/strong>
\n +229 01 57 57 99 15
\n +229 01 66 68 11 60<\/p>\n
- 4 Ps of Marketing: What They Are and How to Use Them
- \n
- \n
- \n