How To Become a Social Media Manager: Tips From Our SMM of the Month

Social media managers are having their moment. With the rise of short-form video, more and more people are being exposed to the lives of marketers behind their favorite brands and thus piquing the interest and curiosity behind social media as a career.

Curious about how to become a social media manager? This monthly series provides insights from social media managers from the incredible brands who use Dash Hudson that highlight their expertise, passion and stand-out work.

Social Marketer of the Month: April 2024

This month, we spoke to AllSaints' social media manager, Vanessa Wesnak about why she loves working in social media, how she stays on top of social media trends and more.

Tell us a little about yourself: 

I started my social media career as an intern at a social media agency; mostly writing copy for various brands’ Facebook and Twitter accounts (it was still Twitter back then). From there, I landed a dream entry-level role working for a major fashion/retail brand on their social media team and 11 years later, I’ve been in this industry ever since — working in social media for different fashion/retail brands across the US and now, in the UK at AllSaints. 

What do you love about working in social?

The ever-evolving nature of social media keeps me motivated and I’m definitely never bored. I like to think I am a creative at heart, so to be able to work in a role that creates so much content is fulfilling in that sense — but I’m also analytically-minded, so the reporting and performance tracking works for me too.

How do you stay on top of social trends? 

A combination of teamwork, newsletters and good old-fashioned scrolling.

How do you source ideas for each channel, and how do you prioritize trends?

Each channel has its own strategy; the ideas around new ways to message or new campaigns first come from understanding the objective. I have big creative brainstorms with my team before every season where we look at everything from our own organic performance to understand what our audience already loves, to on-brand social media trends that we could potentially tap.

What social campaign are you most proud of from your time with AllSaints?

I loved our campaign with artist Thomas Lélu. We worked together on the Instagram creative which eventually led to a physical product (a tote bag). It was the perfect example of a partnership that fit our brand DNA, boosted awareness and engaged our audience. It was also our first ever Instagram creator collaboration as a brand!

Top tips on how to be a successful social media manager? 

My top tips to be a successful social media manager are: 

• Delegate: You can’t do everything (even though I know most are asked to do so!)
• Manage up: Take your leadership team on the journey with you (and be patient — sometimes there is a learning curve). Make sure they are on board and understand your strategies. 
• Be your own best analyst: Know your numbers inside out
• Find inspiration: Look outside of your direct competitors and industry for inspiration and trends

What are your thoughts on the future of AI in social media? 

Hesitant ones. 😉

What is your favorite Dash Hudson feature? 

I consider the Boards feature another member of my team, to be honest!

How To Become a Social Media Marketer

No longer seen as the intern’s job, social media management careers have matured alongside social platforms, and the list of skills needed to be successful has grown longer. And just as every business has different needs, a role in social media will look different for every social media manager and every company. 

Why do social roles differ from person to person? This is because of the complexity of the role itself and the wide range of tasks associated with managing a brand’s social presence. To give you an understanding of what a social media management career looks like, this blog covers:

• What the role of a social media manager entails and the skills needed to be successful.
• Types of social media jobs.
• Career tips to get started in the industry.
• Social media marketing best practices to excel in the role.

What Is a Social Media Manager?

A social media manager is a marketing professional who specializes in managing and implementing social media strategies for businesses. They are responsible for creating engaging content, monitoring social media channels, analyzing performance metrics and interacting with their audience on various platforms. A social media manager is the driving force behind a brand's social media presence and helps to shape its online reputation and cultivate meaningful connections with customers.

What Does a Social Media Manager Do?

As mentioned, no two social media managers will have the same responsibilities, so no two days will look the same for a typical social media manager. The role is dynamic and requires context switching, which is part of the appeal for most social media managers. The tasks typically executed by a social media manager include:

• Copywriting.
• Graphic design.
• Producing, shooting and editing video.
• Producing, shooting and editing photos.
• Curating content.
• Managing relationships with influencers, creators and brand ambassadors.
• Content planning.
• Content strategy is often in collaboration with a larger marketing team.
• Community management is often in collaboration with customer service and sales teams.
• Analyzing and reporting on content performance.
• Staying updated on industry trends and news.

What Do You Need To Be a Social Manager?

Social media professionals often have a variety of diverse backgrounds that lead them to their roles. While a degree in marketing, communications or a related field is beneficial, practical experience and a strong understanding of social media platforms are equally important. 

While most gain practical experience through internships or entry-level roles, freelance projects or building a personal social media brand are some untraditional ways that can lead to a job in social. Some social media professionals have backgrounds in more creative fields like photography while others can transition from customer service or other marketing roles. 

Types of Social Media Jobs

All businesses can benefit from a social media manager, extending the role beyond industry boundaries. Whether you're interested in working for a business-to-consumer (B2C) company, business-to-business (B2B) enterprise or exploring freelance opportunities, social media management offers diverse career paths. 

With the breadth of tasks needed to succeed in social media beyond content creation and posting, like auditing and researching, brands also build social teams based on specialties. 

For example, if you’re terrific at filming and editing content, you might consider freelancing as a content creator or applying to content production roles. Other companies structure their teams based on platforms, so if you have a deep understanding of TikTok, you might be hired to solely manage a TikTok account. The opportunities in social media are endless when businesses see the potential of this marketing channel. 

How To Work in Social Media: Career Tips for Getting Started and Excel in the Industry

Embarking on a career in social media requires strategic planning and a proactive approach. Here are some essential tips to help you get started and excel in the industry:

Build Your Professional Brand on Social

Showcase your skills and expertise by curating an impressive social media presence. Share valuable content, engage with industry influencers, and demonstrate your knowledge to establish yourself as a go-to professional.

Network — On and Offline

Engage with professionals in the social media industry by attending virtual webinars or conferences, following the marketers behind your favorite brands on LinkedIn, and having coffee chats both on and offline. Building meaningful connections can open doors to exciting opportunities and help you stay updated on the latest trends.

Take Advantage of Free Courses

Leverage the abundance of online resources and free courses available to enhance your social media skills. Platforms like HubSpot Academy and Google Digital Garage offer valuable courses and certifications that can bolster your credentials.

Browse Job Openings

Regularly explore job boards, company websites and their social accounts and professional networking platforms to discover social media management positions. LinkedIn, Indeed, and specialized marketing job boards, like Link in Bio from Rachel Karten, can be great places to start your search.

Stay on Top of Industry Trends

Social media is an ever-evolving landscape. Stay informed about the latest platform updates, algorithm changes and emerging trends in the industry. Subscribe to reputable blogs, follow industry leaders on social media and participate in relevant online communities to stay ahead of the curve.

Social Media Marketing Best Practices: 5 Expert Tips for Maximizing Results 

Now that you understand how to get started in a career in social media, you’re probably wondering, what does it take to be successful in this role? Explore best practices for social media marketing professionals and how to streamline your social strategy with helpful tools from Dash Hudson.

Craft a Winning Social Strategy

A well-defined social media strategy is crucial for success. Start by setting clear goals and objectives that align with your overall business objectives. Determine your target audience and select the most relevant social media platforms to reach them. Develop a content calendar to ensure consistent posting and incorporate a mix of engaging content formats, such as images, videos and interactive posts. Regularly analyze your performance metrics and make data-driven adjustments to optimize your strategy.

Manage Your Community 

Building and nurturing a strong online community is essential for social media success. Engage with your audience by responding to comments, messages and reviews promptly. Foster meaningful conversations, ask questions and encourage user-generated content (UGC). Monitor brand mentions and proactively address customer concerns with a tool like Dash Hudson’s Community Manager. Reply to direct messages, Tweets, Instagram Story mentions, and post comments in one, easy-to-use inbox. 

Create Compelling Content 

Content is the backbone of any successful social media strategy. Focus on creating high-quality and engaging content that resonates with your target audience. Tailor your content to suit each platform, leveraging the unique features and preferences. Experiment with different content formats, such as behind-the-scenes glimpses, user testimonials and interactive polls. 

Manage Influencer Partnerships 

Collaborating with influencers can help amplify your brand's reach and credibility. Identify influencers who align with your brand values and have an engaged following. Develop authentic and mutually beneficial partnerships. Clearly define expectations and deliverables, and track the performance of influencer collaborations. Tools like Dash Hudson’s Influencer Marketing Measurement tool help you analyze the impact of influencer campaigns and seamlessly measure the ROI.

Collect Metrics and Report Data

Measuring the success of your social media efforts is essential for continuous improvement. Track key metrics such as reach, engagement, click-through rates and conversions. Generate weekly, monthly and quarterly reports to showcase your performance, identify trends and make data-driven decisions to optimize your social media strategy.

Streamline Your Social Strategy With Dash Hudson

Dash Hudson is a leading social media management software designed to streamline and optimize your social media strategy. From content planning, publishing posts and analyzing performance, Dash Hudson empowers social media managers to drive results efficiently. Its intuitive interface and powerful tools make it an indispensable asset for managing multiple social media platforms, analyzing data and discovering insights that help you maximize your social media ROI.

FAQs

How much do social media managers make? 

Social media manager salaries can vary based on experience, location and industry. On average, social media managers earn a salary range of $50,000 to $75,000 per year.

‍What skills should a social marketer have?  

Successful social media marketers possess a combination of creative, analytical, and communication skills. They should have expertise in social media platforms, content creation, community management, data analysis and staying up to date with the latest industry trends from TikTok Trends to popular Instagram Reels songs.

What are some role titles to seek out?

Social media coordinator, community manager, social media specialist, social media strategist and digital marketing manager are some common role titles associated with social media management positions. 

Past Social Media Managers Interviews

Social Marketer of the Month: March 2024

This month, we're excited to spotlight how social media managers in the agency industry find social media inspiration — we spoke with Abi Sivanesan from Spark Social, to explore what future social trend excites her the most, tips to be a successful manager and more.

Tell us a little about yourself: 

My name is Abi Sivanesan. I gained a bachelor’s degree in Criminology from the University of Toronto before fine-tuning my analytical and communication skills during a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy. Alongside my studies, I jumped into the digital space by starting a lifestyle blog, which provided me with hands-on experience with content creation, marketing and figuring out the ins and outs of social media analytics. From being an intern at a major publishing house to leading as a Senior Account Manager at Spark Social, I’ve navigated through roles, learning and growing with each opportunity. Working with a mix of clients in all kinds of fields has been the real highlight of my career so far — it’s all about those varied experiences and the exciting challenges they bring.

What do you love about working in social?

There is something magical about the power of connection in social media. It’s not just about posting content; it’s about sparking conversations and building a genuine community. Plus, the creative aspect is a cherry on top! Getting to craft something new and exciting every day keeps the work exciting and inspires me every day. 

How do you stay on top of social trends? 

I am actively engaging with the industry’s online community and following influential thought leaders to stay on top of industry-led discussions. I also find it important to regularly monitor social media analytics to stay ahead of emerging trends, evolving audience interests and platform updates. 

What social campaign are you most proud of from your time with Spark Social?

My professional highlight reel definitely features our campaign for Suvoda’s 10th anniversary. Starting from scratch with a new client always presents a mix of challenge and opportunity. We worked hard to understand their target audience better, learned quickly and launched a campaign that not only celebrated a decade of Suvoda, but also expanded their audience dramatically. It was the kind of project that makes you look back and feel very proud. 

Top tips on how to be a successful social media manager? 

These are my top tips to find success as a social media manager:

1. Understand your audience — knowing your audience’s demographics, interests, behaviors and preferences will allow you to create content that resonates and anticipate trends, topics and content formats that will capture their attention.
2. Embrace creativity and authenticity to distinguish your client and their content in a crowded social media world. While creativity enables you to experiment with your content and storytelling techniques, authenticity helps you build genuine connections with your audience, fostering brand loyalty.
3. Always analyze data and metrics to understand what is working and what’s not. This understanding enables you to refine your strategies to optimize performance and adjust based on campaign-specific KPIs.

What future social trend or feature excites you most?

I am excited to see the impact of Instagram’s new ‘Flipside’ feature. This innovation promises to reveal a more authentic facet of creators’ lives through an almost ‘alternative’ Instagram profile. The potential it holds for diverse and genuine content is brilliant, and I look forward to seeing the varied and creative ways creators will embrace the feature.  

What is your favorite Dash Hudson feature? 

Given that social media is currently very video-forward, the Entertainment Score in Social Media Dashboards and Analytics outlining the most engaging Reels published during the reporting period compared to the average is useful — and helps fire up my creativity! 

Social Marketer of the Month: February 2024

We spoke with Erica Macaranas of IMAGE Skincare to discuss her career path in the beauty industry, how she stays on top of social trends, her favorite campaign and more.

Tell us a little about yourself: 

After college, I had a small style blog on the side as a hobby (remember blogs?) I really enjoyed having a creative outlet, making connections and being involved in an online community. I didn’t know it then, but that little fashion blog would jumpstart my interest — and eventual career — in social media marketing!  

I started at DERMA E, building their social media strategy while spearheading their influencer “squad” program, which consists of a select group of superfan creators who share their love for the brand throughout the year. I grew a small team, launched the second squad, and decided to shift from beauty to CPG for a bit, where I spent the next couple of years managing all things social and influencer at Nature’s Bakery. 

I returned to beauty and am just about finishing my second year at IMAGE Skincare as their Social Media Manager, focusing mainly on Instagram strategy and content. I love being part of a social and influencer marketing team — we all get to work on what we do best!

What do you love about working in social?

I love how social media is about community building, but in a very visual way. It’s such a dynamic and creative space to be in, and part of the fun is the challenge of seeing how your audience will respond to what you put out there. 

How do you stay on top of social trends? 

I stay on top of social trends by staying active on social myself — it’s already such a part of my everyday life that it comes naturally. I also make sure to read social media marketing industry newsletters and blogs (Social Media Today is a favorite).

What social campaign are you most proud of from your time with IMAGE Skincare?

Our anniversary month! We wanted to celebrate our 20th anniversary in a big way, so I shot a fun, celebratory video with a cute vintage-inspired cake and turned it into a giveaway. We got over 14k engagements. It was one of our top-performing posts for the year. 

Top tips on how to be a successful social media manager? 

My top tips to becoming a successful social media manager are:

1. Don’t be afraid to experiment (within reason!) and try new things. Social moves quickly, and timing can be essential. So, if you have an idea, run with it. 
2. Monitor engagement and comments closely and look for common themes on the posts people respond to. It is important to know your audience and learn what they like — or don’t like.
3. Remember, it’s about community. Respond to messages and comments to keep those conversations going.

What future social trend or feature excites you most?

I look forward to seeing how Instagram’s Threads evolves and how other brands use it. We’re still exploring and experimenting with it, but seeing our audience steadily growing every day is nice!

What is your favorite Dash Hudson feature? 

My favorite Dash Hudson feature is the Competitive Insights. I can easily measure my KPIs and our channel’s social activity over time, making it easy to include in my weekly and monthly reports. I appreciate how Dash Hudson incorporates Reels, too — that’s become a big part of our content since I started.

Social Marketer of the Month: January 2024

We spoke with Jenny Armstrong of Bravo to discuss her career path at NBC, what her most exciting project in 2023 was and how she stays on top of social media trends.

Tell us a little about yourself: 

I’m the Senior Social Media Manager at Bravo and E!, mainly working on Bravo projects, and I have been on the team for about three years. I’ve spent my entire career working at NBCUniversal, starting with the Page Program, where I had a social media marketing assignment on the USA Network team. I worked at the Today Show and on the E! PR team after that before making my way back to social. I was with the USA/SYFY social team for two years before moving to the Bravo side. I LOVE all things Bravo, so it is a true pleasure to be on the team. 

What do you love about working in social?

I love that every day is different, and we use so many parts of our brains. On a regular basis, I go from copywriting to identifying social media trends and brainstorming ideas to shooting content to strategizing, reporting, and approving content. I love being creative and coming up with new ideas about how we can showcase our incredible shows and talent. 

How do you stay on top of social trends? 

I probably spend too much time scrolling, but seeing how we can get into trends inspires me! My team and I constantly send each other social posts and find ways to get into the conversation. 

What social campaign are you most proud of from your time with Bravo?

It’s a tie this year between working on the Emmy-nominated season 10 of Vanderpump Rules and working on season 14 of Real Housewives of New York City. BravoCon is always the best, too!

Top tips on how to be a successful social media manager? 

It’s incredibly important to be adaptable and flexible. You never know how things are going to change, so you need to be able to go with the flow. It’s also important to be open to ideas. It doesn’t matter if an idea comes from an intern or an executive — you need to be open-minded and go with the strongest idea. 

What future social trend or feature excites you most?

I’m excited to see how Instagram Threads continue to evolve and what new TikTok trends will pop up this year. I feel like the trends move so quickly it’s hard to know what the next big thing will be! 

What is your favorite Dash Hudson feature? 

I love using the Campaigns feature. It helps me understand how a show performs on social overall, what works for us and what doesn’t, so we can pivot. 

Social Marketer of the Month: December 2023

This holiday season, we're sharing the gift of social media wisdom from our very-own social media manager, Nikki Del Mundo. Read on to discover how she stays on top of social media trends, why she loves working in social and more.

Tell us a little about yourself: 

You might recognize me from Dash Hudson’s TikToks and Reels, but more formally, I’m the Senior Digital Content Manager! Over my 2 ½ years at Dash Hudson, I launched our creator partnerships program and our brand presence on TikTok and YouTube while overseeing the social media strategy. I transitioned into B2B SaaS marketing after working for one of Dash Hudson’s customers, ColourPop Cosmetics, where I was the brand's voice, working on copywriting and performance marketing. I was excited to challenge myself in a new industry and was able to bring my storytelling skills into my new role in a fun and relatable way. 

What do you love about working in social?

The social media landscape changes every day, and the creativity needed to keep up with the constant changes in algorithms, trends and industry news, makes my job exciting. I’ve never thought of myself as a data-driven marketing girlie, but the combination of creative and analytical skills needed to work in social is actually so fun for me. The data from your performance unlocks the creative freedom to make better content.

How do you stay on top of social trends? 

I’m so lucky to work at a social media management platform — the resources I need to stay on top of trends come from my brilliant coworkers and from the social media managers who use our platform daily. Our Social Media Trends Report and Social Media Benchmarks Report offer so many insights into what’s currently happening in the landscape. Our blog is also a great resource for monthly trend updates and quick tips for many of my Google-able questions. 

I’m subscribed to many social marketing newsletters like ICYMI by Lia Haberman, Link in Bio by Rachel Karten and Social Files by Tommy Clark — I love getting valuable insights from industry professionals straight to my inbox. 

Lastly, I spend way too much time doing “market research” and scrolling. I really think being in-the-know on social requires an unhealthy amount of screen time. 

What social campaign are you most proud of from your time with Dash Hudson?

This isn’t one specific campaign, but I’m really proud of the complete overhaul of our branding on our social channels. I worked closely with our Design team on the rebrand, and the work forced us to deep dive into what our audience wants. I truly think that project helped me reframe our strategy from talking at our audience to having a conversation with our community.

Top tips on how to be a successful social media manager? 

Put your audience at the heart of everything you do. Make content that feels refreshing to your audience by entertaining, educating, or inspiring them and bringing them into your brand. Your community is the hardest to build and the quickest to lose if your content isn’t resonating with them. 

What future social trend or feature excites you most?

I’m actually loving this trend on TikTok towards creating more original content and away from just following TikTok trends. It’s refreshing to see the creativity of brands and creators who make content series you know you can only get from them. Everyone’s perspective is important, so why not share yours in your own unique way? 

What is your favorite Dash Hudson feature? 

Dashboards and Boards! I mentioned I’m not the best at being data-driven, but Dashboards makes it SO easy to get all of the data I need in a few seconds. I’m able to customize my reports to see all of my important metrics in one place. Boards is my favorite tool for segmenting content, I can see if a new content pillar is performing well or if I should post more of a certain content type, like graphics or carousels. Where Dashboards provide a high-level look, Boards help me dive deeper. 

Social Marketer of the Month: November 2023

In November, we spoke with Paige Anthony, Senior Social Media Manager at Anthropologie Europe to learn more about why she loves learning from younger team members, how she stays inspires and more.

‍Tell us a little about yourself: 

Hi! I’m Paige, the Social Media Manager at Anthropologie Europe. I lead social strategy, influencer marketing and content creation within the UK and EU market whilst working closely with our US counterparts on global content. I joined the company 6 years ago as the first-ever Social hire and never left! 

What do you love about working in social?

The possibilities are endless! No idea is a bad idea, it’s all about trial and error and really pushing creative boundaries with whatever resources you have.

How do you stay on top of social trends? 

I live, breathe and eat social media, and so does my team. Sometimes it can be overwhelming, but we come together and share the latest trends we are seeing in our weekly meetings and ask ourselves — is this brand appropriate? Could we adapt this for our audience? Is this relatable and engaging? 

What social campaign are you most proud of from your time with Anthropologie?‍

There are so many! From opening our first European stores and leading the localized content and influencer strategies to simply launching our TikTok account from the ground up last year. We were so proud to be recognized in Dash Hudson's latest 2023 retail industry-leading benchmark report. We came in 4th place globally for engagement and social entertainment on our TikTok account. We are a tiny team of 3 who rely heavily on self-shot content, so this was massive for us! 

We also recently launched a global campaign with our US counterparts featuring Phoebe Tonkin. To break through the noise, I lead the content strategy across Instagram and TikTok. Implementing these unique videos alongside a tactical boosting strategy allowed us to deliver 8 million+ impressions across IG, Pinterest and TikTok over a two-week period. We look forward to contributing to more global campaigns in the future! 

Top tips on how to be a successful social media manager? 

Listening! Listen to the ideas from your team — in particular, the younger members who have grown up in this social landscape and really have their fingers on the pulse. These team members can be in the nitty-gritty whilst you and senior team members are confined to meetings. And, most importantly — listen to your audience! What are they engaging with? What products are they clicking through to your site on? How can we show them more of these winning product and content formulas? Consider how you can really drive brand awareness and growth for your channels. 

And lastly, content, content content! Coming from a creative background, I pride myself on my creative production and art direction. I believe that, above all statistics and other social strategy factors, creating social-first content allows you to beat any KPIs the business has set for you.

What future social trend or feature excites you most?

I’m excited to see how the growth of AI within social media impacts the landscape. As AI is blowing up more and more, I predict there will be a shift back to basics and people really wanting to see even more authentic low-fi content from real people, NOT influencers. 

What is your favorite Dash Hudson feature? 

One of the originals — but still, in my opinion, the most iconic — is LikeShop! Being able to direct our customers to one place for all their shopping needs (especially when Meta product feed tagging doesn’t pull through or you’re not on TikTok shop) is so helpful. This data is also very informative to show us that, although people may not have engaged with a specific post, the CTR on that post was really high and drove a lot of people to convert. 

Social Marketer of the Month: September 2023

In September we spoke with Haley Barcus, Senior Social Media Manager for the fashion brand, GUESS. Read on to learn how she started their career in social, how she stays on top of social trends and so much more. 

‍Tell us a little about yourself: 

As the Senior Manager of Social Media, I lead the global social media strategy at GUESS?, Inc., with an audience of nearly 20M followers across all GUESS-owned brands. Through my 7+ years at the global brand, I have helped launch over 150 Global Advertising Campaigns featuring talent like Hailey Beiber, Jennifer Lopez and J Balvin.

What do you love about working in social?

No day is the same in the world of social media. Every new social media trend is a challenge to our creativity.

How do you stay on top of social trends? 

My team and I touch base twice weekly and always start with what’s trending on social media. Nothing is off-limits because I believe you can find inspiration from anything. I’m lucky to lead a team of dynamic creatives with different perspectives. 

What social campaign are you most proud of from your time with GUESS?

It’s hard to choose one, but the first project that comes to mind is being a part of creating #DestinationGUESS, our series of global influencer events. My boss at the time really believed in us and let us lead everything from event production to content creation. During the first year, we increased the @guess following from 2.7M to 5M (the account is now at over 8M followers), attributing most growth to the five #DestinationGUESS trips we hosted. It felt good seeing our hard work pay off, plus we got to have a little fun while doing it — always a bonus.

Top tips on how to be a successful social media manager? 

Choose a hard-working, diverse team. Another tip for creating your team is working with people you can rely on who bring different skills to the team. It’s also important to have solid communication across all internal departments to ensure all marketing efforts are aligned. 

Regarding social, channel intention matters — Don’t be afraid to test new trends on the platforms where it makes the most sense.

What future social trend or feature excites you most?

The advancement of video storytelling excites me. I can already see how brands and creators are increasing the quality of their content. I love seeing the evolution of edited pictures to elevated video content that feels almost cinematic. As someone whose passion is storytelling, this ignites my creativity.

What is your favorite Dash Hudson feature? 

I love how easy it is to pull Social Media Analytics and make a report. It’s vital to have easy accessibility to this because not all teams have a Data Analyst. I have each team member pull reports for their owned brands, allowing them to learn a lot in the process. I also love how Dash Hudson listens to their customers' needs and finds solutions quickly.

Social Marketer of the Month: August 2023

In August, we spoke with Paige Sander, Social Media Manager at Béis to learn more about how she started their career in social, how she stays on top of social trends and more. 

Tell us a little about yourself: 

I studied Marketing at The University of Minnesota and always loved the creative side of brand building. I actually played professional volleyball overseas for many years out of college, and in the meantime worked freelance in marketing and social. When I decided to retire as an athlete, I knew I wanted to work for a brand that was growing and testing the boundaries creatively. 

What do you love about working in social?

I love how close social media is to the consumer. We get to speak directly to those who love our brand the most. It’s incredible the insights and feedback that we can learn through day-to-day interactions. As we develop new collections and products, most of our decisions come from what the consumer asks us for and communicates to us. It’s a powerful tool if you use it to connect and engage with your community! 

How do you stay on top of social trends? 

What’s that saying for raising something great...It takes a village? That definitely stands true for building this brand. In our case, we use each and every member on our team to stay on top of social media trends. Across our marketing team, we are watching a variety of shows, listening to a variety of podcasts, reading different press outlets and we always have a pulse on what’s happening — but collectively. Teamwork is key when it comes to staying on top of the ever-changing trends in social. 

What social campaign are you most proud of from your time with Béis?

Behind our social media, we have such a great team creating the content and building all of the campaigns together. I definitely take no credit for them, but am so proud of the team for our most recent collaboration with Barbie The Movie. 

Top tips on how to be a successful social media manager? 

Focus on connecting with your audience. It’s not always about selling products, it’s equally about entertaining, relating, and listening to them as well. 

What future social trend or feature excites you most?

I am loving the social listening feature that Dash Hudson is tapping into. Having an extra hand to catch on to what our community is talking about, helps us relate and connect in a more effective way than ever before. 

What is your favorite Dash Hudson feature? 

As a creative, Dash Hudson’s Reporting Dashboards are such an incredible timesaver for me. We can always see how content and campaigns are performing without spending large amounts of time calculating performance in spreadsheets. The analytics are unmatched. 

Social Marketer of the Month: July 2023

In July, we spoke with Caleb Simpson, Assistant Manager of Social & Community at Summer Fridays to discuss which social campaign they are most proud of, tips for social media management success and more. 

Tell us a little about yourself: 

I’m a Social Media leader with over 6 years of experience working with highly engaged cult beauty brands. I began my career at Glossier in 2017 where I worked closely in social engagement and UGC-powered campaigns before shifting my direction and joining Summer Fridays in 2022. I was thrilled to join their team here in LA and continue growing the brand’s presence and community across social media. 

Since last year, I’ve begun leading Summer Fridays’ Social Listening program while maintaining a highly engaged community across Instagram. By leveraging these two key areas, our team has been able to harness our customer’s voice and strengthen our product lineup through community-backed feedback.  

What do you love about working in social? 

My favorite part of working in social media is having the space for storytelling, and the ability to form an authentic brand voice. 

How do you stay on top of social trends? 

Social Media is constantly evolving. Aside from always being online, tools AI-Powered Social Listening from Dash Hudson have really helped pinpoint new trends and forecast upcoming trends within the beauty industry. 

What social campaign are you most proud of from your time with Summer Fridays?

Our first makeup product, Sheer Skin Tint.

Top tips on how to be a successful social media manager? 

Your community’s voice should be a major guiding factor in what you do. Listen to everyone, consider all feedback, and allow your community to be stakeholders within your brand’s ecosystem.

What future social trend or feature excites you most?

Using social engagement as a vehicle for surprise and delight. These moments often arise when there’s a crossover between social and customer experience, but taking the time to surprise and delight can show that you’re truly listening. 

What is your favorite Dash Hudson feature? 

AI-Powered Social Listening Trends and Topics — specifically Dash Hudson’s new Visual Trends tool.

Social Marketer of the Month: June 2023

In June, we spoke with Kristen Lang, a TikTok Content Creator from AG1 to discuss why they love working in social, how they stay on top of trends and more. ‍

Tell us a little about yourself: 

After years of wanting to break into the social media world, I finally decided to make a move in 2022. I’d interviewed for a few social media jobs, and after hearing “we went with someone who has more experience,” one too many times, I decided to build my personal brand through TikTok. After growing my own audience, I landed my current position at AG. I helped launch the @drinkAG1 TikTok, and 28k followers later we are still having a blast telling the AG story!

What do you love about working in social? 

I love the endless opportunity that comes with social media, especially with short form video content.

How do you stay on top of social trends? 

I’m not going to sugarcoat this — I’m chronically online. Trends come and go so fast these days, you have to be!

What social campaign are you most proud of from your time with Athletic Greens? 

We launched a series this year where we interview strangers on the streets of NYC, called 'AG1 On the Streets', about their health. It’s as funny as it is rewarding. Plus, it’s so cool to meet people who already drink and love AG1 in person!‍

Top tips on how to be a successful social media manager? 

• Don’t get too caught up in the numbers. Building an engaged audience doesn’t always look like millions of views. Focus on putting out thoughtful content that brings value to your audience.
• Social media is an industry where a lot of people do what everyone else is doing. Remember to think outside of the box — it will pay off. 
• Be a storyteller! Viral posts are exhilarating, but it’s consistent storytelling that will have your audience longing for more. 

What future social trend or feature excites you most?

I dream of a feature on TikTok that saves your video without the watermark. I know they rolled this feature out a while ago and I had it temporarily. If you’re a social media manager, you KNOW this is crucial.

What is your favorite Dash Hudson feature? 

The Boards! I love that you can select videos to add to a board and view the stats as a whole — this makes my life easier!