In the beginning, there was the internet.
photo credit: the Italian voice via photopin cc
As the internet grew, groups and communities were formed. Businesses eventually became aware that they needed to harness the powers of these communities. The job of community management was born. While the growth continued, along came social media and from that came that new upstart “social media manager”. At the start there was a bit of chaff between the two groups. You were one or the other, and that difference was a big one. The basic differences boil down to job duties.
How are the two different?
A community manager is the person who will work directly with the community. The cmgr is the link from the business/brand and the people they’re trying to reach. They serve as a face of the company, representing the business across the on-line and offline space. They manage every kind of contact point from Facebook pages to forums to in person events.
A social media manager is a behind the scenes strategist who shapes and builds a business’s company social media program. A SMM needs to be on top of all the “new shiny” when it comes to the latest technologies and best practices (Facebook TOS anyone?) They work hand in hand with marketing to keep the social programs in brand voice.
Now, what I’m about to say may step on a toe or two (I don’t mean to), but I believe that, for some people the titles definitely overlap. While brands are beginning to explore the digital space and understand more its importance to them, many are not prepared to invest in creating both positions. These businesses hire one person, slap a title on them and plug them into the internet. This new team of one have to do it all. From creating the strategy to implementing it, from social media listening to front line customer service.
I consider myself to be a part of this new hybrid species and I think quite a few others are there with me. As both the two individual positions grow, I believe that this new hybrid will grow right along with them.
Are you a hybrid? Or are you in a more traditional role?
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I definitely think that our social media team serves as a hybrid of these specific positions…we have a hand in all aspects! It helps us be knowledgeable in all areas, and be able to cover for each other (like today!)
All hands on deck is a great way to be prepared for everything!
I am a hybrid for sure. I manage several campaigns here at thriftymommedia and I enjoy the challenge of listening to our customers or advocates and building the strategy that makes our message succeed.
That's awesome Paula!
Definitely hybrid. #armyofone
I am in love with your hashtag for this!
Carrie,
Great observations, and well put as an informational source for those looking to know the definitions and how they possibly relate to their business.
I too consider myself a hybrid. Shall we share a cup of evolution tea (it's afternoon here).
Nice!
~Keri
Thanks Keri,
I'm up for tea anytime :)
nice post…I am definitely a hybrid. most companies have a difficult time with either or…so having skills that cross the lines is more beneficial to the SMB market where budgets are getting squeezed more often then the 800 pound gorillas.
Thank you!
I agree, when companies are watching budgets – it's important to have knowledge of both roles.
Carrie,
I am definitely a hybrid of multiple positions. It is very true that with smaller companies you are more likely to have a hybrid position.
Thanks for the article!
Corey
Thanks Corey,
It's like being the "Swiss Army Knife" of digital business ;)
I'm definitely a hybrid of the above with a bit of email campaign and web stuff thrown in there too!
without a doubt …. a hybrid. You forgot to mention SEO monitor as well. These days if you don't do all three, you run the risk of losing out business to that do. I also think that technology and onslaught of a million new apps and sites to better manage all this social media soup makes it more accessible from different vantage points, therefore one can move freely from social media manager, to SEO strategist, to community manager. Different hats, lots of plates, all us….Nice job Carrie…
Very true. I happen to have an 'SEO guy' in the office with me. I partner with him on many things and there is a little overlap too.
I'm definitely a hybrid, but of a lot more than what you defined.
I do some community management, but also digital strategy, which includes Social Media strategy, content strategy, SEO strategy, SEM strategy, conversion, analytics, etc., etc.. You need to when you work at startups.
Would that make me a super-hybrid? haha :P
Actually, I think we need to make you the hyphenated-hybrid. It has better onomatopoeia :)
:)
I'm a hybrid, but only because we are under-resourced. In my dream document where I lay out roles for staff, we would have both a social media strategist and a community manager.
Also, IME, some community managers do work exclusively in a white-label online community space managing online forums. Sometimes that can be a full-time job.
Budgets and company size have a lot to do with how roles are assigned. It would be interesting to get to focus on one or the other and I'm sure some people have a preference one way or the other.