When I started with Social Climber Pro in February 2016, I had no idea that there was so much behind-the-scenes work for companies in relation to their social media. The most I’d ever been exposed to was setting up my own Facebook and Instagram accounts. I had no interest in Snapchat or Twitter; I was perfectly content in my own little Facebook world. Even though I had an Instagram account, I hardly used it and forgot about it most of the time. I’d always thought that companies that posted on Facebook created all their own graphics and advertising. I never thought that a marketing company like Social Climber Pro did all that work for them.

In the Beginning…

When I started at Social Climber Pro, I began by checking notifications – such as contests and messages – that followers sent to our account pages. I also did research for other project managers for the accounts they were handling. For me, being responsible for checking the notifications was a huge eye-opener. I saw what few people see: both the business side and the customer or fan side of Facebook. I was hooked. I knew that Project Management was what I wanted to continue doing.

I soon moved on to doing email marketing for one of our clients, which was another learning experience into how companies market to their fans. As I learned to tackle different aspects of email marketing, I took on a couple of our Facebook accounts. Then I added a couple more, and then two Instagram accounts. Now I manage six Facebook accounts and three Instagram accounts, in addition to my email marketing work. Some people may think I’m crazy for taking on that kind of responsibility, but I love what I’m doing. Engaging with fans on Facebook is probably the best part of my job. I get to interact with so many different personalities. The fans make my job fun. Sometimes they turn a bad day around.

Sign Me Up!

I know you’re probably saying, “Where do I apply”? But before you decide to make the leap into being a social media Project Manager, I have some advice for you. While marketing and other aspects of social media can be fun and rewarding, it can be intimidating as well – but only if you allow it to be! You can’t let the little things get you down. Remain your confident self! The Hall of Fame basketball player/coach John Wooden once said:

“If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not doing anything.”

This is one of my favorite quotes, and I try to remember it every day.

Confidence is Key

I admit it: I enjoy being recognized for something positive I’ve done. If I send an email or a text, I like to be answered. While there’s nothing wrong with anyone wanting those things, if I don’t get a reply to an email or text or if I’m not recognized for something good I did, I sometimes dwell on it. Just last week, I was quickly reminded by someone I admire that “THIS IS NO PLACE FOR INSECURITY!” I quickly got over myself, put my big-girl panties back on, and got back to work.

My friend was right. I had no reason to feel less confident about myself. I was just overthinking things again. So before you decide to try to take on a position as a Project Manager in the social media marketing field, here are a few tips I want to pass along to you:

• Always remain confident in yourself.

  Sometimes you have bad days where it seems like everything you do is wrong. This can feel difficult, especially if you’re a people-pleaser like I am. I don’t want my boss or clients to be upset because I dropped the ball. You just have to learn from it, move on, and not dwell on it.  Although my self-confidence has improved, I still work on it daily. Social Media changes every day, and you must be ready and willing to grow and change with it. 

• As they say, haters gonna hate.

  Especially if they are ex-employees. Sometimes it’s hard to ignore the trolls, but you can’t stoop to their level, no matter how badly you want to. Just remember that there’s a reason they no longer have a job – and keep smiling!

• As a project manager, there is much to learn. So much, in fact, that you might think you need to learn it all. But you don’t!

  Take your time, learn one thing, and make sure you’re comfortable with it before moving on to the next area of training.

• Plan your week and keep a daily schedule so you aren’t trying to figure out what to prioritize on the day that everything is due.

  An awesome tool I use is the Passion Planner. It plays a huge role as I schedule my weeks and month. Plus, you can decorate it with washi tape and planner stickers if you want to!

• Take the tools your boss has given you and use them!

  Don’t blow anything off and think you’ll get to it later. Because, trust me, “later” becomes an opportunity that will pass you by.

• My most important tip: Love what you do.

  Being a Project Manager will be one of most rewarding jobs you’ll ever have. I get to work with an amazing group of ladies, and I have the privilege of calling two of them my bosses. My clients are amazing, and the fans are equally amazing. I’m extremely thankful that I was given a chance to be a part of Social Climber Pro last year.

Pamela Patton is a Project Manager for Social Climber Pro.

She specializes in Email Marketing, Project Management, and Social Media Marketing. She loves the excitement of the Social Media Marketing Industry and helping her clients build their businesses.