Do you like your Social Media job? The results are in...

Lady Socialdown asks: Do you like your Social Media Job?

A few months ago, I asked my network on LinkedIn to anonymously share their answers to a survey.

50 Social Media Pros answered… and here are the results.

The Industry breakdown:

What role?

This was multiple choice, since many of us wear “many hats”

Almost half of the Social Media pros said they liked their job by rating it above a 7.

On the inverse, 40% rated it less than 5.

Burn out? Seems pretty common with 53% saying they’ve been burnt out in the last 6 months. I echo those sentiments. Even tho I’ve been very happy freelancing and leaning into my creator-ness, I’m tired dude!

Social Media can feel like an “always on” job and even when we’re scrolling for fun (or for doom). We’re constantly studying and taking notes.

My Advice? Tell yourself that always “being on” is actually NOT a part of the job and it’s ok to NOT know a trend.

Knowing the internet as a professional and knowing every trending conversation are not one in the same. With the death of monoculture, overwhelming yourself with the need to be on top of the scroll is not going to help you. Or your burnout.

This is your permission slip: Do not treat your Social Media job as “always on.”

While half say they like their Social Media job, half also want to quit.

Pay seems to be the biggest motivator to stay, while 13 Social Media Pros said nothing will get them to stay.

There’s so many reasons to quit a full time job. Yet it feels like every other week, I see a new Social Media Pro quitting their 9-5 to consult and freelance on their own.

I’m about to hit my 1 year anniversary of leaving Duolingo to build my own agency and creator business. And just this morning, Carmen Vicente announced she’s doing the same.

Why do so many of us want to get out of the 9-5?

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking of why. Why working a 9-5 Social Media role feels so intense. Yes, freedom and a “change of scenery” can do a lot for someone.

But also perhaps: There’s this overwhelming feeling of “Social Media is the most important part of this company” and “We don’t have time or resources to support your Social Media visions.” High pressure, but feeling low priority.

Because understandably, it takes a lot to run a company outside of Marketing.

I wonder if this these pressures is connected to why the time CMO’s are spending at companies is dwindling down. Down 35% since 2010, according to AdAge.

The article interestingly calls out that “having strong relationships with other members of the C-suite, particularly the company’s Chief Financial Officer and CEO is critical.” And that CMO’s should also get along with their board of directors too.

This speaks to how a lot of our work in Social Media Marketing feels like a personality game. Sure, bringing results is important but what’s more important? The internal relationships and dynamics.

And sometimes, when leadership changes, everything does. They bring in their friends, their favorite agencies or they might not even mesh with you. And as much as I’d love to say, “keep the job, a job…” We cannot overlook the fact that internal PR and politics is a large part of working in this industry. And probably, any industry.

My Advice? Build those important relationships. I outline them in this post for Paid Subscribers only. I do think it’s worth buying me a coffee to read it all hehe

2nd Advice: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. For some people, safety looks like building a personal brand online. For some people, safety looks like a hobby turned side hustle. For others, it can be the long road of keeping your network strong and wide.

Find your way to create safety for your career outside of one job at one company.

You never know how or when it’ll be needed.

And it’s always better to build while you’re not in a tough spot.

I’m not surprised by these results. But I also see comfort in the results. Many of us are tired. Many of us feel underpaid. But also many of us actually like working in Social Media. And many of us: Love to gossip.

I feel comforted (and honored) in the company.

Keep gossiping with me at the Socialdown Society. (And an exclusive look at the trailer for my Youtube series called Office Tea Party!)

Til the next time, I’ll see you on the internet!

XOXO Lady Socialdown