Post job

What does a social media associate do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
Quoted expert
Mandy Butler

A social media associate is responsible for monitoring the company's digital media presence, ensuring regular updates, and regularly connecting with the audience on the organization's social media platforms. Social media associates strategize techniques to increase webpage visitors and boost brand awareness on online marketing servers. They also respond to the audience's inquiries and concerns regarding the services the company offers, as well as resolving and escalating high-level complaints. A social media associate must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in monitoring progress through data analysis and identifying opportunities for brand growth.

On this page

Social media associate responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real social media associate resumes:

  • Leverage tools such as HootSuite and TweetDeck to manage various social media content calendars.
  • Manage social media presence and engage the community of students and recruiters on platforms (Facebook, twitter, Tumblr).
  • Promote products and services on social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, etc.
  • Film and edit videos for the organization's Youtube channel.
  • Generate, edit, publish and share daily content (original text, images, video or HTML).
  • Design images for the website, Facebook, email campaign, and design the layout of some professional proof books.
  • Collaborate with website design and implementation using WordPress.
  • Conduct conference calls and GoToMeetings for PowerPoint presentations with clients.
  • Monitor day-to-day conversations and activity across all social media platforms and WordPress blog.
  • Maintain several Facebook accounts through copywriting, photography, editing, and creating advertisements.
  • Proofread, edit and format text and images, design cover art, and adjust program function for each title.
  • Organize and distribute influencer and VIP gift bags.
  • Collect data and information for e-mail marketing program MailChimp.
  • Plan and execute sale promotions/campaign to email subscribers using MailChimp.
  • Increase follower participation through contests and giveaways.

Social media associate skills and personality traits

We calculated that 9% of Social Media Associates are proficient in Instagram, Facebook, and Social Media Marketing. They’re also known for soft skills such as Problem-solving skills, Speaking skills, and Writing skills.

We break down the percentage of Social Media Associates that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Instagram, 9%

    Generated effective and engaging content via Facebook and Instagram as well as keeping track of data of traffic and activity.

  • Facebook, 8%

    Focused on expanding outreach and improving user engagement on both Twitter and Facebook

  • Social Media Marketing, 8%

    Led end-to-end social media marketing strategies that included interactive content focused on delivering metrics to maximize customer engagement.

  • Twitter, 7%

    Tasked to find external stakeholders and like-minded organizations and individuals through Twitter to bring awareness and followers from the online community.

  • Social Media Analytics, 6%

    Utilized website and social media analytics to determine successful marketing strategies to further pursue.

  • Digital Marketing, 4%

    Assisted with digital marketing, including upkeep of all social media properties.

"instagram," "facebook," and "social media marketing" are among the most common skills that social media associates use at work. You can find even more social media associate responsibilities below, including:

Problem-solving skills. One of the key soft skills for a social media associate to have is problem-solving skills. You can see how this relates to what social media associates do because "public relations specialists sometimes must explain how a company or client is handling sensitive issues." Additionally, a social media associate resume shows how social media associates use problem-solving skills: "strengthened company brand by providing retention solutions to clients through multiple social networks. "

Speaking skills. Another essential skill to perform social media associate duties is speaking skills. Social media associates responsibilities require that "public relations specialists regularly speak on behalf of clients or their organization." Social media associates also use speaking skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "monitored various social media sites addressed/responded to discussions about the main site to promote. "

Writing skills. social media associates are also known for writing skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to social media associate responsibilities, because "public relations specialists must be able to write well-organized and clear press releases, speeches, and social media posts." A social media associate resume example shows how writing skills is used in the workplace: "manage linkedin advertising, writing ads and determining appropriate ppc rates. "

Organizational skills. A big part of what social media associates do relies on "organizational skills." You can see how essential it is to social media associate responsibilities because "public relations specialists are often in charge of managing several events or communications at the same time, which requires excellent skills in coordinating arrangements." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical social media associate tasks: "coordinated with multiple cross-functional teams to develop social media marketing and communications strategies that achieve organizational goals. "

Interpersonal skills. Another common skill required for social media associate responsibilities is "interpersonal skills." This skill comes up in the duties of social media associates all the time, as "public relations specialists deal with the public and the media regularly." An excerpt from a real social media associate resume shows how this skill is central to what a social media associate does: "utilized my interpersonal skills by providing great customer service answering phones and scheduling lessons for the golf instructors. "

All social media associate skills

Choose from 10+ customizable social media associate resume templates

Build a professional social media associate resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your social media associate resume.
Social Media Associate Resume
Social Media Associate Resume
Social Media Associate Resume
Social Media Associate Resume
Social Media Associate Resume
Social Media Associate Resume
Social Media Associate Resume
Social Media Associate Resume
Social Media Associate Resume
Social Media Associate Resume
Social Media Associate Resume
Social Media Associate Resume
Social Media Associate Resume
Social Media Associate Resume
Social Media Associate Resume
Social Media Associate Resume

Compare different social media associates

Social media associate vs. Campaign coordinator

A campaign coordinator is responsible for managing media campaigns and press communications for marketing efforts on business or other industry needs. Campaign coordinators perform administrative and clerical duties under the supervision of a campaign manager and develop event activities according to the campaign theme and requirements. They also coordinate schedules with the participants, suppliers, and third-party vendors. A campaign coordinator must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in documenting reports, managing expenses, and responding to inquiries and concerns.

If we compare the average social media associate annual salary with that of a campaign coordinator, we find that campaign coordinators typically earn a $8,796 lower salary than social media associates make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both social media associate and campaign coordinator positions are skilled in facebook, twitter, and digital marketing.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between social media associates and campaign coordinator. For instance, social media associate responsibilities require skills such as "instagram," "social media marketing," "social media analytics," and "media management." Whereas a campaign coordinator is skilled in "crm," "community outreach," "campaign performance," and "salesforce." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Campaign coordinators earn the highest salaries when working in the media industry, with an average yearly salary of $44,584. On the other hand, social media associates are paid more in the media industry with an average salary of $50,342.On average, campaign coordinators reach similar levels of education than social media associates. Campaign coordinators are 3.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.7% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Social media associate vs. Public relations coordinator

A public relations coordinator is responsible for developing brand awareness for the organization's brand image. Public relations coordinators work closely with the marketing department to manage marketing campaigns, mainly social media platforms and events, promoting the organization. A public relations coordinator assists with press releases, media coverage, investor relations, and responding to clients' inquiries and concerns. Public relations coordinators also analyze current market trends to identify business opportunities that would meet public demands. They must have excellent communication skills, as well as be highly organized with meeting deadlines under minimal supervision.

Public relations coordinator positions earn lower pay than social media associate roles. They earn a $4,436 lower salary than social media associates per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both social media associates and public relations coordinators have skills such as "instagram," "facebook," and "twitter. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real social media associate resumes. While social media associate responsibilities can utilize skills like "social media marketing," "digital marketing," "social platforms," and "social content," public relations coordinators use skills like "press materials," "press clippings," "writing press releases," and "press kits."

Public relations coordinators may earn a lower salary than social media associates, but public relations coordinators earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $48,390. On the other hand, social media associates receive higher pay in the media industry, where they earn an average salary of $50,342.public relations coordinators earn similar levels of education than social media associates in general. They're 1.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for social media associates in the next 3-5 years?

Mandy ButlerMandy Butler LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor of Theatre, Newberry College

I have never been a huge technology person; I still have a flip phone. But I would wager that, through the use of technology, the role of the theatre audience will be redefined somehow. Stage actors have a unique relationship with those who come to view their productions, so I'm hoping that someone comes up with a way to simulate that, at least to a degree.

Social media associate vs. Publications coordinator

A publications coordinator is responsible for assisting the publishing processes from the drafting to the distribution of materials. Publications coordinators check the accuracy and quality of the content, ensuring that the materials are free from plagiarism and adhere to publishing guidelines and regulations. They also follow publishing deadlines and confirm the submission of all materials in printing. A publication coordinator assists the marketing team in promoting the organization's products by handling and updating social media accounts, as well as searching for the recent trends as an issue for the next publications.

On average, publications coordinators earn lower salaries than social media associates, with a $2,068 difference per year.Using the responsibilities included on social media associates and publications coordinators resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "instagram," "facebook," and "twitter.rdquo;

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from social media associate resumes include skills like "social media marketing," "social media analytics," "digital marketing," and "media management," whereas a publications coordinator is more likely to list skills in "public affairs," "public health," "sharepoint," and "technical publications. "

Publications coordinators make a very good living in the finance industry with an average annual salary of $51,570. On the other hand, social media associates are paid the highest salary in the media industry, with average annual pay of $50,342.publications coordinators typically earn similar educational levels compared to social media associates. Specifically, they're 3.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Social media associate vs. Marketing communications specialist

A marketing communications specialist is an individual who is responsible for creating all the marketing materials that are distributed to customers to increase brand awareness for the company's products or services. To create these materials, marketing communications specialists must collaborate with graphic design teams. They are required to track their marketing performance so that they can identify ways to improve their marketing strategies. Marketing communications specialists must also set up interviews and press conferences as part of their marketing campaign.

Marketing communications specialists tend to earn a higher pay than social media associates by an average of $3,332 per year.While their salaries may vary, social media associates and marketing communications specialists both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "instagram," "facebook," and "twitter. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between social media associates and marketing communications specialists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a social media associate might have more use for skills like "social media marketing," "social platforms," "social content," and "social strategy." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of marketing communications specialists require skills like "project management," "channel marketing," "customer service," and "marketing collateral. "

In general, marketing communications specialists earn the most working in the technology industry, with an average salary of $70,324. The highest-paying industry for a social media associate is the media industry.The average resume of marketing communications specialists showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to social media associates. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 3.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.2%.

Types of social media associate

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs