Careers in Social Media

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Looking for an entry level job or internship in social media? This is an overview of how to approach the search and a list of companies that might have relevant entry level and internship opportunities.

It took Justin Bieber only 22 minutes to sell out Madison Square Garden. In my humble opinion, this feat was the result of a combination of things including:

  1. his hair
  2. his very personal connection with his fans developed over social media

Because there was no clear channel or precedence for Justin to expose the world to his music when he got started, he had to be creative. So he strove to connect directly with fans. He shared videos of jam sessions on Youtube and engaged with people on Twitter, replying to their questions and doing status updates about where he was going to be. By creating a strong presence for himself across many social media sites like Twitter and Facebook, he was able to communicate with more people and spread his message. Ultimately he has branded himself in a way that many companies hope to. In order to attract and serve customers, many companies are hopping on the social media train and hiring people familiar with the digital marketing space. One of these new roles is that of a Social Media Coordinator. A Social Media Coordinator creates a communication strategy for a brand or company to connect with its potential and current customers, and executes it across various social media platforms.

Social Media Careers

Photo Credit: Flickr user jake.auzzie

Social Media Coordinator Career Guide Overview

  1. What a Social Media Coordinator Does
  2. A Typical Day for a Social Media Coordinator
  3. Salary and Career Progression for a Social Media Coordinator
  4. Best Locations for Social Media Coordinators
  5. Pros and Cons of Being a Social Media Coordinator
  6. What You Need to Know for a Career as a Social Media Coordinator
  7. Social Media Coordinator Resources
  8. Careers Related to Social Media
  9. Companies with Jobs and Internships in Social Media

What a Social Media Coordinator Does

A Social Media Coordinator works to raise awareness of a company’s mission, products, programs, and services among its customers by communicating with them across social media channels. To accomplish this a Social Media Coordinator creates written stories, blog posts, messages, and videos and disperses them across social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Pinterest. Beyond that they might spend time searching the internet for useful information and curating it, providing customer service, and working with other teams like marketing and PR.

A Typical Day for a Social Media Coordinator

While a typical day for a Social Media Coordinator might vary, it will probably include some of the following tasks:

  • Managing the execution of social media campaigns to build and communicate effectively with fan communities
  • Establishing consistency of message across multiple networks
  • Searching for content to share
  • Develop ideas to increase followers and traffic
  • Assisting other teams in executing social media campaigns including marketing, promotions and public relations
  • Developing contests and giveaways
  • Monitoring the competitive landscape to identify and pursuing emerging technologies, tools and platforms in the social media space for marketing opportunities, testing and experimentation.
  • Identifying and implementing SEO best practices within articles or blog posts
  • Compiling digital analytics and reports across online properties
  • Organizing all digital media assets including graphics, photography, and video

Salary and Career Progression for a Social Media Coordinator

The great news is that national salary trend data shows that annual earnings for Social Media Coordinators are on the rise and more jobs are projected to become available as the industry evolves. Currently a Social Media Coordinator on average makes $46,000 per year. An entry level person (with an online writing background, at least 3 months consistent writing experience, and familiarity with social media tools) can expect to make around $30,000 per year. Beyond that you might grow into the role of Director of Social Media (a manager who has a background in building teams, who really gets the purpose and strategy of social media) and make between $60,000-$90,000 per year.

Best Locations for Social Media Coordinators

Here are some great locations for social media coordinators:

  • Los Angeles, California
  • Boston, Massachusetts
  • Chicago, Illinois
  • Washington, DC
  • Baltimore, Maryland
  • Seattle, Washington
  • New York, New York
  • Austin, Texas
  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • San Diego, California
  • Phoenix, Arizona

Pros and Cons of Being a Social Media Coordinator

Pros
  • The number of jobs in this field is growing
  • You get to be involved in promoting your company directly to consumers in a fun way
  • Lots of writing and creative thinking involved
Cons
  • You’ll need to be able to multi-task and handle information across a large number of properties
  • Can be challenging to keep up the landscape as the internet nearly doubles in size every day
  • Can be stressful and time-demanding when there’s a PR crisis

What You Need to Know for a Career as a Social Media Coordinator

To be a Social Media Coordinator you’ll most likely need a bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, advertising, public relations, or business. You should also have excellent written and verbal skills and the ability to multi-task and prioritize. Specific skill sets you should work to build out include copywriting skills, video production and editing skills, and knowledge of digital analytics. Furthermore, you should have some experience with social media, even if it’s just your own Twitter or Facebook account.

Social Media Coordinator Resources

If a career as a social media coordinator still sounds like your cup of tea, here are a few things you should do to get started.

Required Reading

Key Folks to Follow on Twitter

Blogs and Websites

Networking Opportunities

Careers Related to Social Media

Displaying 1-10 of 544 results.
Social Media Coordinator
George Mason University Fairfax, VA
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Social Media Assistant Coordinator
Cornerstone Chapel Leesburg, VA
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Social Media and Content Specialist
Avantus Vienna, VA
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Assistant Account Executive, Social Media (Fully Remote)
Interdependence Ashburn, VA
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Social Media and Content Specialist
QinetiQ US Mc Lean, VA
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Social Media Strategist
National Democratic Institute for Intl. Affairs Washington, DC
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Social Media Director
The Washington Post Washington, DC
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Social Media and Content Specialist
Avantus Federal Vienna, VA
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Digital Marketing/Social Media Manager Summer Intern (paid)
GCI Ashburn, VA
View
Social Media & Design Specialist
RTX Corporation Sterling, VA
View

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Companies with Entry Level Jobs and Internships in Social Media

Victorious Logo

Victorious - Victorious is a Santa Monica, CA based startup that is “motivated by the challenge of powering and uniting the world’s most creative communities.”

See the complete Victorious profile


Sprout Social Logo

Sprout Social - Sprout Social is a Chicago, IL based company that offers “a management and egnagement platform for social business.”

See the complete Sprout Social profile


Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition Logo

Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition - Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition is a San Jose, CA based non-profit that is working to “to create a healthy community, environment, and economy through bicycling."

See the complete Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition profile


ListenLogic Logo

ListenLogic - ListenLogic is a Conshohocken, PA based company that extracts “insights from unstructured big data to drive business outcomes.”

See the complete ListenLogic profile


BustedTees Logo

BustedTees - BustedTees is a New York, NY based t-shirt company that was started by the same team as CollegeHumor.

See the complete BustedTees profile


Chute Logo

Chute - Chute is based in SF and has developed a “visual content engine for brands” that makes “it easy to keep pace with your customers and create compelling, fresh content."

See the complete Chute profile


SumAll Logo

SumAll - SumAll is a New York, NY based company that allows “you to see all your information in one place and provide you visibility into the past, present, and future.”

See the complete SumAll profile


WPromote Logo

WPromote - WPromote is an El Segundo, CA based company that calls itself “the country’s leading Online Marketing firm." They help clients with SEO, PPC, and Social Media.

See the complete WPromote profile


eponym Logo

eponym - eponym is a company based in Brooklyn, NY that helps "the world’s most exciting brands create and distribute their own eyewear.”

See the complete eponym profile


Spatial Logo

Spatial - Spatial is a Broomfield, CO based company that is “the leading provider of 3D components for technical application development across a broad range of industries.”

See the complete Spatial profile


SheKnows Logo

SheKnows - SheKnows is a Scottsdale, AZ based “women’s lifestyle media platform” that “allows brands to distribute authentic content and integrated advertising at scale.”

See the complete SheKnows profile


Fever - Fever is a New York, NY and Madrid, Spain based startup social network that is “changing the way people make plans.”

See the complete Fever profile


StyleCaster Media Group Logo

StyleCaster Media Group - StyleCaster Media Group is based in NYC and aims “to bring style to the people, empowering millions of readers to discover and share their style.”

See the complete StyleCaster Media Group profile


Kinsa Logo

Kinsa - Kinsa is a New York, NY based company that is changing the way that people take their temperatures and monitor their health.

See the complete Kinsa profile


UpOut Logo

UpOut - UpOut is a San Francisco, CA based company that “is changing how locals discover unique events in their city.”

See the complete UpOut profile


MOCA - MOCA is the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, and they are the only museum in L.A. that is entirely dedicated to contemporary art.

See the complete MOCA profile


Mason Zimbler Logo

Mason Zimbler - Mason Zimbler is an Austin, TX based “integrated agency rooted in the digital space” that combines “a love of creative” with a “desire for results.”

See the complete Mason Zimbler profile


Justice Policy Institute Logo

Justice Policy Institute - Justice Policy Institute is a D.C. non-profit that aims to "reframe the conversation around justice for all."

See the complete Justice Policy Institute profile


FWD.us Logo

FWD.us - FWD.us is a San Francisco, CA based lobbying organization that promotes "policies to keep the United States and its citizens competitive in a global economy."

See the complete FWD.us profile


Betaworks Logo

Betaworks - Betaworks is an NYC company that works "to create beneficial and transformative products for the socially connected world.”

See the complete Betaworks profile


Zepp Labs Logo

Zepp Labs - Zepp Labs is a Los Gatos, CA based company that “empowers athletes and coaches with meaningful performance information to help them immediately improve their game.”

See the complete Zepp Labs profile


Triggit Logo

Triggit - Triggit is a San Fran based company that “enables advertisers and agencies to build, run, measure, and optimize retargeting-driven display campaigns from a single platform.”

See the complete Triggit profile


Stitcher Logo

Stitcher - Stitcher is a San Francisco, CA based company that lets you access “over 20,000+ radio shows and podcasts on your iPhone, iPad, Android or PC–anytime, anywhere.”

See the complete Stitcher profile


Fullscreen Logo

Fullscreen - Fullscreen is a LA based agency aiming to build “the first media company for the connected generation—together, right at the intersection of tech and entertainment.”

See the complete Fullscreen profile


Gameloft Logo

Gameloft - Gameloft is a New York, NY based company that allows its “fans to play games anywhere, anytime, and on any digital platform.”

See the complete Gameloft profile


Ahalogy Logo

Ahalogy - Ahalogy is a Cincinnati, OH based company that is “pioneering the science of discovery on Pinterest.”

See the complete Ahalogy profile


Houzz Logo

Houzz - Houzz is a Palo Alto, CA based company that offers “a collaborative platform for home remodeling and design."

See the complete Houzz profile


Groundspeak Logo

Groundspeak - Groundspeak is a Seattle, WA based company that aims “to make everyone an explorer and to put an adventure in every location.”

See the complete Groundspeak profile


RocksBox Logo

RocksBox - RocksBox is a San Francisco, CA based company that lets you “experiment with different looks, discover the latest designers, and only buy the jewelry that you truly love.”

See the complete RocksBox profile


TVI Logo

TVI - TVI is a New York, NY based “award winning digital agency that designs leading brand experiences."

See the complete TVI profile


Digital Promise Logo

Digital Promise - Digital Promise is a Washington, DC based organization that “supports comprehensive research and development to benefit lifelong learners."

See the complete Digital Promise profile


Targeted Victory Logo

Targeted Victory - Targeted Victory is an Alexandria, VA based agency that has “anchored digital campaigns on the local, state, and presidential level.”

See the complete Targeted Victory profile


General Assembly Logo

General Assembly - General Assembly is based in NYC and is “offering full-time immersive programs, long-form courses, and classes and workshops on the most relevant skills of the 21st century.”

See the complete General Assembly profile


Vitamix Logo

Vitamix - Vitamix is an Olmsted, OH company that is “improving the vitality of people’s lives and liberating the world from conventional food and beverage preparation boundaries.”

See the complete Vitamix profile


Relias Learning Logo

Relias Learning - Relias Learning is based in Cary, NC and offers “online training to senior care, health and human services, corrections, and intellectual and developmental disabilities organizations.”

See the complete Relias Learning profile


Extole Logo

Extole - Extole is a San Francisco, CA based company that specializes in helping “brands acquire new customers at scale by rewarding existing customers.”

See the complete Extole profile


AllTrails Logo

AllTrails - AllTrails is a San Francisco, CA based startup that provides outdoor enthusiast "with the information and tools to discover top destinations near them.”

See the complete AllTrails profile


Amicus Logo

Amicus - Amicus is a New York, NY based company that turns a “nonprofit’s supporters into fundraisers and advocates.”

See the complete Amicus profile


MINDBODY Logo

MINDBODY - MINDBODY is a San Luis Obispo, CA based company that believes that “small business owners deserve the time to do what they love.”

See the complete MINDBODY profile


Loverly Logo

Loverly - Loverly is a New York, NY based "one-stop-shop for wedding planning where brides and grooms find ideas, people to hire and things to buy.”

See the complete Loverly profile


Mass Relevance Logo

Mass Relevance - Mass Relevance is an Austin, TX based company that aims “to inspire brands to involve their audience.”

See the complete Mass Relevance profile


Fitocracy Logo

Fitocracy - Fitocracy is a New York, NY based company that aims “to make fitness a more fun, more addictive experience.”

See the complete Fitocracy profile


Lyft Logo

Lyft - Lyft is a San Francisco, CA based company that offers “on-demand ridesharing” in nearly 20 cities across the country.

See the complete Lyft profile


Optimal Logo

Optimal - Optimal “is the leading social advertising and analytics platform, with offices in San Francisco, Palo Alto, New York, Chicago, and London.”

See the complete Optimal profile


FaithStreet Logo

FaithStreet - FaithStreet is a New York, NY based company that helps people find a place to worship and helps religious communities find new members and gather donations.

See the complete FaithStreet profile


Updater Logo

Updater - Updater is a New York, NY based company that aims "to simplify the way we move" with regards to address changes.

See the complete Updater profile


CafeMom Logo

CafeMom - CafeMom is an NYC based digital media company for moms that reaches more than 20 million users every month

See the complete CafeMom profile


Causes Logo

Causes - Causes is an SF based company that wants to be the place that people go to when they want to “discover, support and organize campaigns, fundraisers, and petitions."

See the complete Causes profile


Pure Branding Logo

Pure Branding - Pure Branding is a Northampton, MA based consultancy that “builds leading brands for values-based companies in the natural products industry.”

See the complete Pure Branding profile


Townsquare Media Logo

Townsquare Media - Townsquare Media is a Greenwich, CT based "company that owns and operates radio, digital and live event properties in 66 small to mid-sized markets across the country.”

See the complete Townsquare Media profile


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