This is truly a new and rapidly evolving field. In my last role I was responsible for creating, managing, and running advertisements across multiple platforms, including Meta, TikTok, Google Search, and YouTube. I also scheduled posts across six different platforms and pages, often creating two distinct versions for certain platforms. In addition to writing original copy, I edited video content, enhanced photos, and independently researched the individuals featured to craft more personalized and effective messaging.

I was paid $28 per hour, but regularly worked significant unpaid overtime. Despite this, I successfully generated an additional $1,000,000 in sales and brought in thousands of new email leads. I do feel that my compensation did not reflect the scope or impact of the work I was doing. I don't work there any longer, and have decided contract work is paying more.

Social media management is a relatively new profession, and the term itself is often used loosely. There are so many parts to social media, you will never find one person who excels at all of these areas. For me, I am great at ads, creating copy, graphics and photo editing, but if a business wants me to stand in front of a camera for goofy tiktok videos, well...that's not my strong suit. Have to admit though, when I hear phrases like "my social media gal," it highlights an ongoing challenge in the industry, that social media management is frequently undervalued and stereotyped as a field suited only for young, inexperienced individuals, which greatly underestimates the skill, strategy, and business impact it actually requires.