Community managers lead and unite communities of Internet users around a common interest, whether it's a company, a brand, a celebrity or an institution.
Born of the evolution of Web 2.0 and more particularly the emergence of Social Media (social networks) on the web, the CM or Community Manager is a new profession.
The Community Manager is the representative of a brand, a company or even a product on the Internet. His or her role is multifaceted and consists of talking about the company and its products and, above all, getting people to talk about them, by monitoring information and putting in place content through the creation and management of communities.
The role of the Community manager
Community managers work mainly for agencies, but also for advertisers, companies and websites. To do this, they mainly use social networks (YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and professional networks (Viadeo, LinkedIn, Xing, etc.). In a way, they are “version 2.0” of the webmaster!
Community managers are in constant dialogue with Internet users, enabling them to disseminate advice and key messages from their media and to pass on any comments or criticisms to the media departments concerned.
In this way, they monitor the e-reputation and reputation of the brand, product or company.
All this is done with the aim of winning the loyalty of Internet users and acquiring new “regulars”.
The Community Manager must also ensure that the rules of good conduct are applied within the community (e.g. protection of personal data), and is a moderator by virtue of his or her role.
Other activities include analysing results, producing editorial content, images and photos (content manager), monitoring the brand, defining strategies and formalising procedures (community architect).
Skills and qualities
To develop the loyalty and cohesion of their “community”, Community Managers need to master the codes of their target audience and encourage exchanges of experience. To do this, they need to be familiar with their employer’s strategy and master the technical jargon, as well as SEO software and search engines. They are also very familiar with social and professional networks, the blogosphere and forums.
An assertive personality and strong interpersonal skills are undeniable assets when it comes to working as a Community Manager.
Career and development opportunities
Community manager is a recent profession practised by young professionals. However, recruiters prefer candidates with a proven track record in journalism, writing or editing.
Depending on their tastes, opportunities and environment, Community Managers can specialise in e-commerce, social media management, communications, advertising, etc. On average, a starting Community Manager can earn €2,000 gross per month. But pay rises quickly!
Passionate about the web
Creative, reliable, responsive and sociable, Community Managers are above all passionate about the web!
