If you’re reading this, it’s probably because you want to land your dream job. Well, let me tell you: The first step is to figure out what that even is. And let me also tell you that the second step is to start thinking of yourself as a Community Manager.
When I was in college, the only jobs I knew about or considered were ones in big companies like banks and tech firms. But then I started working with a small startup and today, 10 years later, I’m still at it! (No regrets.)
That experience showed me that there are tons of opportunities out there for community managers.
So whether your dream job is managing Slack channels or building a blog audience or organizing conferences or something else entirely here are some tips for getting started on the path toward realizing your next gig:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| Gain a solid understanding of community management principles and best practices. |
| Develop excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage with community members effectively. |
| Build relationships and foster a sense of belonging within your community. |
| Stay updated on the latest trends and technologies related to community management. |
| Utilize social media platforms and online tools to manage and grow your community. |
| Learn how to handle conflicts and challenging situations diplomatically. |
| Create valuable content and encourage user-generated content to enhance community engagement. |
| Establish clear goals and objectives for your community and measure your success. |
| Network with other community managers to share insights and learn from each other. |
| Continuously evaluate and adjust your strategies based on community feedback and analytics. |
Make Sure You Know What Your Dream Looks Like
Before you start looking for your dream job, it’s important to make sure you know what it looks like.
Don’t compare yourself with others. You can’t compare apples and oranges (or in this case, apples and community managers).
If you’re holding yourself to someone else’s standards from the get-go, then there’s a good chance that those same standards will hold you back from achieving success.
Dream big! Don’t be afraid of what could happen if things don’t pan out exactly as planned you may end up with something even better than what was originally on your wish list. And even if that doesn’t happen, at least now you know where not to look next time around.
Take risks! We all know how hard it is to find a great job these days but do we want one? Risks are necessary for growth and change; without them, our world would stagnate into nothingness (not fun). And while change isn’t always easy or comfortable…
It is necessary (and also fun!). So go ahead: take some risks today! Your future self will thank them when they’re older/more successful/more handsome/etcetera ad nauseam ad infinitum et cetera
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Take A Long, Hard Look At Yourself
Take A Look At Yourself
What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? What are your interests and passions, both personally and professionally? What do you want to achieve in life, and how can community management help you get there?
What values guide your daily life: family, religion, education… whatever it is that drives you each day to wake up and make the most of what life has given you? And finally: what are the limits to the way that community management can help with these goals?
Look At Other People Who Have Succeeded In This Field Before
Look at their backgrounds and see if there’s anything from them that can help guide where we’ll go next. Are there any similarities between us as individuals or did everyone take on different paths to get here today (which might not be helpful for us)?
Don’t Be Afraid Of The Title
When you’re looking for a community management position, make sure you don’t let the title intimidate you. Many of us are indeed naturally wary of situations that seem “too good to be true.”
But there’s no reason why someone who wants to be a community manager shouldn’t also apply for jobs that describe themselves as “analyst,” “strategist,” or “researcher.”
If your goal is simply working with people and communities, then these titles shouldn’t define what kind of work you do or prevent you from applying.
The same goes if the descriptions say something like:
- Community Manager (With Marketing Experience)
- Community Manager (Video Game Industry)
Identify Your Interests
Once you’ve done this, take a look at your interests and how they might not align with your dream job. Do any of them seem to be more of a hobby than a passion? Are there any that don’t make sense for the kind of work you want to do?
If so, now is the time to reexamine those interests and see if there isn’t something within them that could be reworked or made more relevant. For example, if you love cooking but hate baking, maybe it means that food writing is where you need to focus instead of pastry school. And if you find yourself drawn towards politics but don’t have any interest in running for office or campaigning for specific candidates (and aren’t passionate enough about it), perhaps working as a journalist would be better suited than being an activist.
Find Work You Can Be Proud Of
To land your dream job as a community manager, you’ll need to find work you can be proud of. You want to do work that is meaningful, fulfilling, and interesting. If it’s challenging and rewarding, even better!
The most functional definition of “proud” I’ve come across is “having or showing an awareness of your thoughts, actions or achievements.”
For me, this means that the projects I’m working on must have a larger purpose than just making money (which is important too). In other words: my job should not only pay for itself but also contribute positively or negatively to society in general.
Don’t Fall For The Pay-Your-Dues Trap
It’s easy to fall into the trap of a job you don’t like simply because you feel like it is expected of you. You may be thinking that if you stick at it long enough, eventually things will improve. If they don’t improve, maybe then they will give you a raise or promotion?
Don’t do this! It might sound counterintuitive but making a change before your current situation gets any worse is better for everyone: In fact, in many cases the only thing stopping people from making that change is themselves.
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Apply Everywhere, But Don’t Wait For A Job Title
You should apply to every job that interests you, even if it doesn’t have the right title. You will learn more and become a better candidate by applying to jobs that interest you.
When I started in community management eight years ago, the field was very different from what it is today. There were few articles or books on the topic and no communities!
I learned from my own mistakes, listened carefully to feedback from clients and peers, and read as much as I could find online.
In addition to being a strong candidate who has been around for a while now (which means they’ll also be able to help train new hires).
Having some knowledge of what other companies do can help guide your career path toward something similar but not exactly like what you’ve already done before making sure your resume doesn’t look like everyone else’s at all times!
Do Ask For What You Want And Need. (Just Don’t Be Vague About It)
The third and final tip is to ask for what you want and need. As a community manager, you’re likely to encounter many situations where it’s necessary to ask for help. Don’t be afraid of this!
Be specific in your requests everyone has different skill sets, so make sure that whoever can offer assistance is clear on what exactly they need to do.
And if a colleague or coworker asks how he or she can help, don’t forget: if someone wants to help you out but isn’t sure how then simply asking them directly will most likely suffice!
There are also plenty of times when asking for what you want may be appropriate and even necessary to get ahead at work.
For example: if there’s something specific keeping up from succeeding at work (e.g., the internet connection speeds are slow), don’t be afraid to bring it up with HR or management and ask them what steps they’re taking towards improving things!
If there’s something special about your position that makes it unique compared with other jobs within the company (e.g., access to private accounts), make sure everyone knows about this so they can take advantage of those opportunities as well
Be Careful How You Ask For Advice
It can be tempting to ask for advice when you’re feeling lost, or when you want help. If a friend offers advice in those situations, that’s great! But it’s important not to ask someone for advice just so they’ll tell you what to do that isn’t a collaborative relationship.
To truly collaborate and form bonds with others, people need to feel safe and comfortable being honest with each other.
When asking for advice, it’s important not only that the person giving it is comfortable with giving it (and won’t get offended if he/she tells you something that might make sense but isn’t exactly what he/she thinks) but also that you are comfortable receiving it and more importantly, making use of it.
Ask For A Chance To Prove Yourself – If You Have To. (Just Don’t Expect It)
Don’t be afraid to ask for a chance to prove yourself. But don’t expect it. You might have a leg up because you’re already at the company, but don’t assume that means you automatically get hired for the next position as a community manager.
It’s better if you make your case in specific terms, so people know exactly what they’re getting when they hire you again or give you another chance elsewhere:
“I’ve been working on this project since August 2014, and I think I could do a great job building on what we’ve already done.”
“I know how to build communities around content like this.”
“I’m ready to take over full management of [project/campaign].”
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Start Saying Yes More Often. (Just Not Too Often)
When it comes to saying yes, there’s a right way and a wrong way. How do you know which is which?
If it feels like you’re trying to squeeze into a tight pair of jeans that are several sizes too small, then you’re probably doing something wrong. You may want to try saying no for a while, or at least until the discomfort goes away.
If you’re feeling like your life is so full of opportunity that every new idea sounds exciting and worthy of consideration, then start saying yes again!
But if everything feels overwhelming at once or if one thing, in particular, makes the head spin you might want to reconsider taking on another project right now (or maybe ever).
There’s nothing wrong with wanting more time for yourself before diving into another commitment (whether professionally or personally).
Start Somewhere And Stay Flexible
When you’re starting, your networking options are limited. Many of the industry’s biggest names don’t have public contact information and rarely take unsolicited calls or emails from people who want to work for them.
That’s why you need to be open with your connections about what you want and where you’re willing to work.
Start by telling everyone from friends from college to members of your book club that you’re looking for opportunities in community management as well as any other relevant areas like content creation or project management.
The best way to get your foot in the door is through someone who has worked with other companies, so ask around if anyone knows someone who works at that place!
It’s also important for candidates like us: many of us have been doing this job long enough that we’ve heard most stories before (I’ve interviewed over 100 applicants), so think creatively when coming up with ways we can help each other out!
Go Above And Beyond When You Need To – But Don’t Make A Habit Of It
There are times in every community manager’s life when they will be asked to do tasks that they don’t want to do or feel they aren’t capable of. A few years ago, I had a client who needed me to write an entire marketing strategy for their new product launch.
As someone who doesn’t have a background in marketing and doesn’t consider myself particularly creative, this was not something I wanted to do. But since he was paying me by the hour, I agreed and dove into the project head first.
The result? I turned around a stellar piece of work in just under three weeks a feat that would have taken most people months!
And while my client was thrilled with the deliverable itself (and even more so with my ability), it took me several months before I felt confident enough in my skills as a writer and communicator that I could confidently say no again without hesitation.
But here’s why it’s important: if you become known as someone who always goes above and beyond what is expected of them at work; someone who never says no or fails;
Then when projects come along where you need help or even if they don’t everyone will assume that YOU are always going over the top because YOU’RE THE ONE WHO ALWAYS DOES THIS STUFF FOR EVERYONE ELSE ANYWAY!
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Stay Optimistic Without Engaging In Fantasy
You can’t control the universe, but you can control how you react to it. Optimism is not just a nice thing to have; it’s an essential tool for survival in your industry. When things get hard, don’t give up keep pushing forward and believing that things will work out for you.
Don’t be afraid of your dreams and goals. If someone tells you that you’re too young or inexperienced for a role, remember that age isn’t everything: there are plenty of teenagers who are skilled at social media marketing and digital marketing while they’re still in school!
Don’t let anyone tell you what’s possible or impossible only YOU know what’s right for YOU!
Show Up And Stand Out – But Only If You Have Something Worthwhile To Contribute. (Remember The First Question On The List?)
When you do contribute something useful, be sure to stand out. Don’t just show up and add nothing of value; make sure your contributions are valuable! Use this as an opportunity to make yourself memorable by showing off your skills and talents.
Remember the first question on our list? “What skills do I have that are relevant to this position?” The answer can help guide your search for a job where you can put those skills into action.
Embrace Challenges And Take Time To Think Before Reacting To Them
You will face challenges in the community management field. Embrace them! If you are willing to think before reacting, you will be able to solve any problem that comes your way.
It is easy to ignore a challenge and say “I can’t do it” or “It’s not my job.” This attitude will only hold you back from achieving greatness at work and in life.
Challenges may come in many forms, but they all have one thing in common: they are opportunities for growth and success if approached correctly. When faced with a challenge, ask yourself these questions:
- Am I open-minded? Am I willing to take risks? Am I willing to admit when I am wrong or confused? Do I act before thinking things through?
- What are the pros and cons of each situation? How does this affect others involved? How does this impact our company as a whole?
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Expand Your Definition Of Education And Find The Right People To Learn From. (They’re Probably Not Who You Think They Are)
When you begin to expand your definition of education, you can also expand your network.
If you’re interested in being a community manager, for example, consider finding people who are doing something related to community management (e.g., an event organizer), and ask them what they do for their job.
You may be surprised at how many people will share insights about the field with you if they know that you’re genuinely interested in learning from them!
Conclusion
The most important thing to remember as you embark on this journey is that you don’t need to be perfect.
You just need to be who you are and what you want to be. There will always be more things to learn and improve upon, but the best way to start is by giving yourself permission to take risks, make mistakes and fail – then get up and try again until it works out just right!
Further Reading
How to Become a Community Manager: Learn the steps and skills required to pursue a career as a community manager and make a meaningful impact in online communities.
Great Community Management Tips: Discover effective strategies and best practices for community management that can help you foster engagement, build relationships, and create thriving online communities.
How to Land Your Dream Job: This comprehensive guide offers valuable insights and tips on how to navigate the job search process successfully and secure your dream job.
Feel free to adjust the descriptions as needed to accurately represent the content of each resource.
Now, let’s move on to the “FAQs” section. Here are five questions and answers that you can use:
FAQs
How can I become a community manager?
To become a community manager, it’s essential to develop strong communication and interpersonal skills, gain experience in community building, and understand social media platforms and online engagement. Additionally, obtaining a degree in marketing, communications, or a related field can provide a solid foundation for this career path.
What are the key responsibilities of a community manager?
The responsibilities of a community manager include moderating online communities, engaging with community members, responding to inquiries and feedback, organizing and promoting community events, and fostering a positive and inclusive community environment.
What skills are essential for effective community management?
Effective community management requires a combination of excellent communication skills, active listening, empathy, problem-solving abilities, and the ability to handle conflict and difficult situations diplomatically. Additionally, being tech-savvy and having a good understanding of social media platforms and community management tools is beneficial.
How can I build and grow an engaged online community?
To build and grow an engaged online community, it’s crucial to establish clear goals and objectives, create valuable and relevant content, encourage active participation, foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity, and provide consistent and responsive communication. Building relationships with community members and recognizing their contributions also contribute to community growth.
What are some effective strategies for community engagement?
Some effective strategies for community engagement include hosting regular events, facilitating discussions and Q&A sessions, encouraging user-generated content, implementing gamification elements, conducting surveys and polls, and acknowledging and rewarding active community members. It’s important to experiment with different approaches to find what resonates best with your specific community.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.
