What Is Community Manager?

A community manager is a moderator and advocate for a company or organization within an online community.

A successful community manager builds relationships with community members, publicly represents the organization’s interests, and works to maintain a positive reputation.

He or she also encourages collaboration, manages online forums, and ensures that feedback is passed on to appropriate parties within the company.

Community managers typically work in customer service and public relations. Some notable companies that have employed online community managers include Google, Apple, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, AOL, Zynga, and Yelp.

The term “community manager” has only been around since 2007, but the role has already become essential to many organizations. In some cases, the position may be called “online communities manager,” “social media manager,” or simply “moderator.”

No matter what the title is, though, the duties are essentially the same: to cultivate relationships between an organization and its customers or followers by moderating discussions (both online and offline), representing the organization publicly in a positive light where possible, and assisting with customer inquiries or problems.

With social media playing such a significant role in our everyday lives—Facebook alone boasts over 1 billion users —the need for qualified individuals to manage these communities will only continue to grow. If you’re considering pursuing a community manager role, read on to learn more about the community manager job description.

What does a community manager do?

Community managers are responsible for developing and maintaining a positive relationship between an organization and its public.

They manage communication across all channels and ensure that messages are consistent with the organization’s brand.

Additionally, online community managers create and curate content, moderate conversations, and engage with users daily.

They also profoundly understand social media platforms and know how to use them to achieve the organization’s goals in marketing. In short, community management skills are essential in building and maintaining relationships between an organization and its various publics.

What is the job outlook for community managers?

Community managers are responsible for overseeing and coordinating the activities of a community or organization.

They typically work with volunteer groups or staff members to plan and implement programs and events, develop outreach strategies, and resolve community issues.

Although the job outlook for community managers varies depending on the specific industry, the overall employment of community and social service managers is projected to grow 11 percent from 2019 to 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

An increased need for social services drives this growth in response to population growth and recession-related employment losses.

Community managers with marketing experience working with diverse populations and skills in mediation and conflict resolution will likely have the best job prospects.

How do I become a community manager?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best way to become a community manager may vary depending on your skillset and experience.

However, there are a few key things that all successful community managers have in common.

Firstly, they have excellent communication skills. They know how to listen to their community and understand their needs. They also know how to adjust their communication style to suit the situation, whether mediating a dispute or promoting a new initiative.

Secondly, they can manage their time and prioritize their tasks effectively. A good community manager always has an overview of the big picture and knows how to delegate tasks and manage deadlines.

Finally, they have a deep understanding of the communities they manage. They know what makes their community tick and can use this knowledge to foster a sense of belonging and build strong relationships.

If you can develop these skills, you will be well on your way to becoming a successful community manager.

What skills are necessary to be a successful community manager?

A successful community manager requires a unique skillset combining web savvy with solid people skills. Here are nine essential skills that any good community manager should possess:

Communication

One of the most critical skills for any community manager is communication. A community manager must clearly and effectively communicate with various people, including community members, staff, and outside partners.

They must listen to what people say and understand their needs and concerns. However, they also need to be able to explain complex issues in a way that is easy to understand.

In addition, a community manager needs to be able to build relationships with people and influence their behavior. This requires both verbal and written communication skills. A community manager who communicates effectively with all stakeholders is more likely to succeed.

Organizational

Being a successful community manager requires a variety of skills and talents. One of the most important of these is the ability to be organized.

A community manager must be able to keep track of many moving parts and ensure that all deadlines are met. This can be challenging, but it is essential for keeping the community running smoothly.

In addition, a community manager must be able to communicate effectively with both members and staff. This involves being able to convey instructions and ideas, as well as listening carefully to concerns and feedback.

A community manager can set the stage for a successful community by possessing strong organizational skills.

Diplomacy

Diplomacy is a vital skill for anyone in a position of authority, especially for community managers.

A community manager oversees a group of people and ensures that they can work together harmoniously. This can be difficult, as people often have different opinions and ideas about what is best for the community.

As such, community managers need to be able to diplomatically navigate these differences and find solutions that everyone can agree on. Additionally, community managers must be able to handle conflict resolution and deal with difficult situations calmly and professionally.

By possessing these skills, community managers can ensure that their communities are productive, happy, and successful.

Creativity

A successful community manager is often a creative individual. They can look at the world around them and see opportunities where others might not.

This creativity allows them to develop new and innovative ways to engage their community.

This could be as simple as creating a new hashtag or creating a contest that encourages users to submit their content.

Whatever the case, a successful community manager always thinks of new and creative ways to keep their community engaged.

Strategy

A successful community manager can develop and implement strategic plans to foster community and engagement among members. This includes identifying the community’s needs and developing goals and action items to address those needs.

Additionally, the community manager should be adept at networking and building relationships, which is key to developing a solid community.

Finally, the community manager should have excellent communication skills, as this is essential for coordinating activities and keeping members informed. A marketing coordinator can set the stage for a successful community by possessing these skills.

Passion

Successful community manager is passionate about their work. They build and nurture online communities by engaging with users, promoting content, and moderating conversations.

But a community manager’s job is more than just posting memes and responding to customer service inquiries—it requires a deep understanding of the platform, the audience, and the company’s goals.

A successful community manager is constantly learning and growing, adapting strategies to meet the changing needs of their community.

Above all, they are passionate about making their community a safe, welcoming place for all users. By harnessing the power of passion, a community manager can create a thriving online space that meets the needs of both users and businesses.

Thick-skinned

There’s no sugarcoating it: the internet can be a tough place. From trolls to negative reviews, someone will always be looking to bring you down. That’s why one of the most important skills for any community manager is to have thick skin.

Brushing off negativity and moving on is essential for maintaining a positive community. However, it’s also important to remember that not everyone will always be happy.

Learning how to deal with unhappy customers or community members is a valuable skill that will help you foster a successful community. So, to become a successful community manager, don’t forget to develop a thick skin. It just might be the key to your success.

Tech-savvy

As technology in business grows, so does the need for tech-savvy community managers. Community managers are responsible for overseeing online communities and facilitating communication between members.

To be successful, they must be able to navigate the ever-changing landscape of social media and digital tools. They also need to be able to adapt to new platforms and technologies quickly. As such, being tech-savvy is essential for any community manager who wants to be successful.

With the right skills, a community manager can help to build a strong online presence for their company or organization and engage with customers and clients in a meaningful way.

Flexibility

Flexibility is a critical skill for any community manager. The ability to adapt to change and meet the ever-changing needs of a community is essential for maintaining a positive and productive environment.

A community manager must be able to roll with the punches and be ready to adjust their plans.

Additionally, flexibility is key when dealing with difficult people or situations. A good community manager can diffuse tense situations and solve problems creatively. In short, being flexible is one of the most important skills a community manager can have.

What is the difference between a social media manager and a community manager?

A social media manager is responsible for developing and implementing social media campaigns to increase brand awareness and engagement.

A social media manager oversees all social media accounts for a company or organization and creates content designed to generate interest and interact with the target audience. On the other hand, a community manager is responsible for moderating online conversations and managing customer relationships.

A community manager also often serves as a liaison between customers and the company or organization, providing customer service and helping to resolve issues. While social media managers and community managers play important roles in social media marketing, their duties are quite different.

Summary

Community managers are the backbone of social media. They provide valuable customer service, cultivate relationships with customers and followers, and help keep a brand’s online presence engaging and interesting. If you’re looking for a career in social media or are just curious about community management, this post has everything you need to know. Do you have experience as a community manager? Let us know in the comments!