Many businesses are jumping on the social media bandwagon, but do they know what it is or why it’s necessary? I see advertisements every day for community managers and social media specialists but the description for each ad varies remarkably. No two jobs are similar.
When it comes to business, there’s no mistaking where you would place an accountant, sales manager or copywriter, but I’m experiencing much confusion when it comes to placing social media personnel. Businesses don’t know if they should put them with the editorial team, the customer support team, the public relations and marketing teams, or with sales. In fact, many businesses are of the mistaken impression that social media is only Twitter and Facebook and only opening these opportunities to interns.
As many of you know, I’ve been combing the social networks in a search for social media definitions. I’d love to learn your take. What department should social media personnel report to in a business? Should it fall under one umbrella, or should the resident social media person or team wear several different hats.
Discuss…
Even “social media experts” are having a tough time with definitions and descriptions etc. Businesses are not the only ones that are having a tough go of it.
I know! I’ve been collecting definitions on Twitter (which I will post here, by the way). They’ve been interesting and varied!
I think businesses should take a team approach to social media, and there should be input from all of those sectors – marketing, customer support, etc. I see this in my day job with phone representatives. The focus has become “one-call resolution”, so matter who’s calling, to where, or for what purpose, they can get their issue resolved without having to dial another number. I think the same goes for social media – no matter who is contacting you and why, there should be someone that can help them, or at least get them in contact with the right person.