How To Become A Social Media Strategist: What It Is and Career Path

What is a social media strategist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Brock Zehr

Social media strategists are responsible for running online campaigns for a business. They manage all social media account activities, including posting, commenting, and responding to inquiries.

A social media strategist (SMS) is crucial to any business with an online presence. They can help generate new leads, retain customers, and even build loyalty. The specific duties of an SMS include creating original content, engaging audiences, and advertising on social media.

They may also be responsible for creating a long-term strategy that fits a company's current goals and needs. SMS may also collaborate with other strategists, study user analytics data, and coordinate with the marketing team. In some organizations, the SMS may also be responsible for other online campaigns, like email marketing.

You can begin a career in social media marketing with any degree, but a major in marketing or related fields can be advantageous. You'll also need the ability to work around the clock and balance multiple tasks. Whatever it takes to look good for potential employers, right?

What general advice would you give to a social media strategist?

Brock Zehr

Associate Professor of Business & Economics and MBA Director, Huntington University

Social media content development, data analytics, and quality video content generation will all be in greater demand. Employers tell me that the "soft skills" of being a team player, excellent communication skills, integrity, and a strong work ethic are still valued skills.

ScoreSocial Media StrategistUS Average

Salary

4.9

Avg. Salary $62,339

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

5.7

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%

Asian 11.99%

Black or African American 6.24%

Hispanic or Latino 8.82%

Unknown 4.70%

White 67.73%

Gender

female 60.90%

male 39.10%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

5.7

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.6

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.5

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a social media strategist

Explore social media strategist education requirements

Most common social media strategist degrees

Bachelor's

81.2 %

Master's

10.3 %

Associate

5.5 %

Start to develop specific social media strategist skills

Skills	Percentages
Instagram	7.07%
Digital Marketing	6.85%
Twitter	6.24%
Social Media Marketing	6.19%
Social Platforms	4.15%

Complete relevant social media strategist training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New social media strategists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a social media strategist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real social media strategist resumes.

Gain additional social media strategist certifications

Social media strategist certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific social media strategist certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for social media strategists include Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate and Professional Certified Marketer (PCM).

More About Certifications

Research social media strategist duties and responsibilities

Manage social media and content creation for Instagram account of 23k+ followers.
Manage all social agency and vendor relationships, including Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube.
Create, curate, and manage all publish content, including blog posts, website copywriting and design social media images.
Perform administrative duties including ordering photography supplies, managing expenses bookkeeping, updating photography inventory and archives.

Prepare your social media strategist resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your social media strategist resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a social media strategist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable social media strategist resume templates

Build a professional social media strategist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your social media strategist resume.