What Is A Social Media Strategist?

I attend several Networking events and meetings IRL (in real life) and everyone always asks “What Is A Social Media Strategist?” or “OK so you Twitter and Facebook?” Along with other questions. I want to clarify exactly what I do, who I am and some of what you can expect from a Social Media Strategist.

So to answer the Twitter and Facebook question first, yes I Twitter, yes I Facebook BUT that is not all that I do. If this is all that was done then I suppose I would have to be called a Social Media Account Manager? Not sure exactly what it would be called, but no, that’s not me.

A Social Media Strategist much like myself is creative, we strategize new and UNIQUE ways to use these awesome social tools and not just Twitter and Facebook. We also understand that there is a real world. I honestly think that if you consider yourself to be a Social Media Strategist you NEED to understand that your job does not stop when you move away from the computer. There are so many ways that the real world and the Internet connect and can meet in the middle and Social Media Strategists understand this and incorporate it into campaigns for their clients as well as self.

Social Media Strategists research. We read, watch, listen, review and ultimately learn all of the time. Our downtime is learning about the newest Facebook feature or watching a video on a new app for Foursquare.

Social Media Strategists understand that that you do not need to purchase Google Ad Words to be successful Online.

Social Media Strategists did not just join Twitter yesterday, they did not just embrace the technology of Facebook in the past month. These people have been a part of these communities for years. They have built a community for themselves and they invite and welcome you in with open arms trying to help anyone they can.

Social Media Strategists are indeed SOCIAL Online. We do not auto feed all of our posts, we do not auto follow back, we do not blast advertisements on our Social Sites and most of all everyone we connect with knows that we love what we do.

Social Media Strategists are NOT Experts! You can’t be an expert in something that is forever changing.

Social Media Strategists can’t promise ANYTHING Online. It’s all about being committed to the campaign and executing it in the best way you can. If it fails, we do not get upset, we are already moving onto the next idea.

Social Media Strategists understand that not every client requires the same strategy. You cannot create a cookie cutter campaign to use for every client.

Social Media Strategists understand traditional marketing. We know that although the Internet is very powerful, you still need to do traditional marketing (in a creative way of course).

Social Media Strategists are positive Online. They respect their own Social Sites just as they will respect yours.

Social Media Strategists are some of the first people to beta test new social sites.

Social Media Strategists love to share information that they find valuable.

Social Media Strategists have profiles on other platforms and not just Facebook and Twitter.

Social Media Strategists do not focus on the numbers. We know that it is about the quality of the following rather than the quantity

.

Social Media Strategists always have the best interest of their clients in mind.

Social Media Strategists are able to work side by side with webmasters to provide the best Online experience for clients.

Social Media Strategists are real! We really do exist and we really do work.

There are so many other things that a Social Media Strategist is, but I think you all get the picture now.

If you are considering consulting a Social Media Strategist I would like to suggest that you do the following:

• Google their name. Find out where they are Online, but also how they use their social sites because this is how they will be using yours. If they are social and connect on a personal level with people, they will do the same for you. If their social sites seem abandoned or automatically updated with no social aspects, you can expect yours to be that way as well.

• Ask a lot of questions about services they offer. If you sense passion in their voice or in their email then you know that this isn’t just a way to make a quick buck for them. They really do love what they do.

• Do they have testimonials from trusted sources? I would check their LinkedIn account for that. Oh that reminds me, do they have a LinkedIn?

In conclusion, I am a Social Media Strategist. I am passionate about the Internet, all things social and geeky and am thankful and blessed each and every day to know that I get to do what I enjoy each and every day.

I hope this clears up some confusion as to what a Social Media Strategist is and what it is that we do.

It is never easy, but always fun!

Connect With Me!

Social Media Strategist & Interwebs Addict, Blogger, St. Louis Cardinals fan, Twitterholic, Second Life Resident (Sadie Pippita), Chihuahua owner and an all around GEEK!

Kim has 195 awesome posts.

Related posts:

1. Three Things To Look At When Choosing A Social Media Strategist
2. How You Use Social Media Says A Lot About You and Your Brand
3. Tip #5 For Social Media In 2010
4. Social Media Tip #18
5. Tip #1 For Social Media In 2010