Tips for managing a social media team
If you’re not a big social media user, it can be intimidating to find yourself managing a social media advisor or team.
The work and language can seem mysterious.
As a manager, you don’t need to be an expert on all things social, but you do need to know enough about the ins and outs to make you effective.
So here are my top ten tips for managing a social media team.
Because you DO NOT want to be that manager who doesn't really get it…
1. Sign up to all the platforms
Even the ones you're not currently using. You need to be across everything at a basic user level in order to have meaningful conversations about the channels with your team.
2. Get familiar with the analytics
You should have a good handle on these. A lot of the value is in the less obvious numbers, and you and your team won't know what you don't know. Take the lead.
3. Make a video
Go through the process from start to finish. Knowing what the fiddly parts are means you can understand why it can sometimes take longer than you'd like.
4. Post something
You don't really work in social unless you know the terror/excitement that is posting something for all the world to see. And that goes for the manager, too, so stop being a baby and give it a go.
5. Check in, check in, check in
Social is hard, and your team will need your support when the going gets tough. Be strict with down time, too. It is easy for social advisors to be always on, so discourage Teams chatting after hours, and encourage everyone to put their work phones away when at home.
6. Schedule learning time
Everything is constantly evolving in the social space, so you and your team need to be on your toes. Book in open discovery sessions quarterly, and make sure to contribute.
7. Never skip a monthly reporting debrief
The only way you'll achieve your goals is by monitoring and tweaking your strategy execution as you go. Your input will be vital.
8. Enforce your policies
If people abuse your staff, ban them from your channels and escalate as necessary. No excuses. If your staff get abused, activate your safety and wellbeing protocols. You are in charge of keeping the team safe.
9. Don't be that manager
When it comes to content ideas, feel free to make suggestions. But make sure your team are comfortable ignoring or rejecting them.
10. Bring everyone back to the strategy
Become a broken record in meetings by constantly asking, 'is this on strategy?'. Make no apologies for doing this. Ever.
Even if you're 2-3 rungs up the corporate comms ladder, you should still know enough about social media to be able to ask good questions of the people who run it.
Stop making excuses and get stuck in.