Hiring someone to engage with customers on social media platforms is no easy task, as the right person needs a lot of skill and talent.
Addressing delegates at the ITWeb Social Media Summit 2014 yesterday, Amanda Sevasti, head of social media at NATIVE VML, said social media practitioners do a variety of jobs, including copy writing, public relations, strategy, media planning and customer care, as well as being brand ambassadors.
Sevasti says choosing the right person for the job is vital. She says while the sector increasingly needs specialisation, those who work in it also need a broad knowledge base, and must be able to multi-task.
Here are Sevasti's tips for hiring a social media champion:
What to look out for:
People who don't waste time
Those who don't say they love social media
Candidates you can put in front of a client
Interviewees who have a view of the future
People who have an "edge"
Personality traits:
Curiosity
A quick and lateral thinker
Someone who has sense and sensibility
Bravery and an open mind
Rhino skin
Knowledge and experience:
Creativity in terms of copywriting
Journalism
Strategists
Public relations managers who can network
People who understand branding
Specific skills:
Organised
Planning and problem solving
Presentation and reporting
Attention to detail
Build a team:
Hire for attitude, train for skill
Don't hire "bad apples"
Play to strengths and weaknesses
Diversity rules
Get giants: people who know things you don't
Set key performance indicators
Demonstrate tangible outcomes
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