What skills does a social media project manager need?

A social media project manager requires a combination of technical skills, leadership abilities, and project management methods to effectively fulfill their role. Here are some key skills and competencies that a social media project planner should possess:

1.Technical Skills:

Think about processes, systems and technology.

Here are some essential skills you will need:

You may need to be able to

A. Create or modify social media assests:

• Edit graphics in Canva or Photoshop
• Create Post Templates
• Edit Photos with filters and capzions
• Edit Videos, cut videos, ad captions, create and ad welcome screens and end screens.
• Create posts and edit text for the social media platforms: Facebooks, Instagram, Tiktok, ,LinkedIn

Platforms we like to use for Creating the  social media assets are:

• CANVA
• CAPCUT
• Descript
• Screenflow

B. Manage and organize  the social media assets so that you can find the easily.

Platforms we like to use for hosting and storing  social media assets are:

•  Google Drive
•  Dropbox

C. Create Project Plans for the promotions and campaigns 

that includes proficiency in project management,  the ability to  choose  and setup the software and tools for planning, scheduling, and tracking projects.

Platforms we like to use for Mapping and strategizing  social media.are::

• Miro
• Trello
• Notion
• Asana
• Monday
• Coschedule

As a social media manager r you need to be able to  create and manage workflows for ideation, creation approval and posting.

Platforms we like to use for Scheduling social media and tracking are::

• Skedsocial.
• Later

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to assess project requirements, identify risks, and develop appropriate solutions. 

Platforms we like to use for showing up  and communicate with you on social media:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Linked In

Platform we like to use to communicate with our team are.

•  Slack
• Monday
•  Zoom

 2. Leadership Skills:

Think about these 3 categories of leadership: 

 Lead Yourself,

Lead your Team

, Lead your Project.

Here are some essential skills you will need:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with team members, stakeholders, and clients.
• Ability to motivate and inspire team members to achieve project goals.
• Excellent decision-making skills to make informed judgments and take decisive actions.
• Adaptability and flexibility to manage changing project dynamics and handle unexpected challenges.
• Conflict resolution and negotiation skills to manage conflicts and facilitate productive discussions.

• Strategy Development skills: The ability to develop a comprehensive social media strategy aligned with the organization's goals is important. This includes defining target audiences, identifying key messages, determining content strategies, and outlining engagement tactics.

3.Project Management Methods:

• Proficiency in project planning, including defining project objectives, scope, deliverables, and timelines.
• Ability to develop comprehensive project plans, including work breakdown structures, resource allocation, and risk management strategies.
• Competency in project scheduling, critical path analysis, and resource management.
• Knowledge of project monitoring and control techniques to track progress, identify deviations, and implement corrective actions.
• Familiarity with project documentation, including project charters, scope statements, status reports, and change control processes.

Strong project management skills are essential for overseeing social media projects from start to finish. This involves creating project plans, setting goals and objectives, managing timelines, allocating resources, and ensuring tasks are completed on time and within budget. 

4. Organizational Skills:

• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Attention to detail to ensure accuracy and quality in project planning and documentation.
• Time management skills to optimize resource allocation, minimize delays, and keep projects on track.
• Ability to coordinate and delegate tasks effectively, ensuring efficient utilization of resources.
• Understanding social media analytics tools and being able to interpret data is vital for measuring the success of social media campaigns.
• Knowing and tracking tracking relevant key performance indicators (KPIs), analyzing engagement metrics, and preparing reports to assess the effectiveness of campaigns and make data-driven decisions.

5. Communication and Stakeholder Management:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to convey project information, expectations, and updates to team members and stakeholders.
• Active listening skills to understand stakeholder needs, concerns, and feedback.
• Relationship management skills to build positive relationships with stakeholders and manage their expectations.
• Ability to facilitate effective meetings, presentations, and discussions related to the project.

• Effective community management skills involves engaging with the audience, responding to comments and messages, and building relationships. A social media project manager should possess excellent communication skills and the ability to handle both positive and negative interactions professionally.

•  Ability to handle customer complaints or issues effectively, and maintain a positive brand reputation.

These skills, when combined, allow project managers  to effectively plan, coordinate, and manage projects, ensuring successful outcomes and stakeholder satisfaction. Continuous learning, professional development, and staying updated with industry trends and project management practices are also crucial for project planners to enhance their skills and stay competitive in their field.