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Career Advice

Get advice from other social media professionals. Learn what it takes to build and make an impact in your career. Get inspired with our stories and resources.

  • 173 Topics
  • 444 Replies
173 Topics
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MisterPLevel 4
asked in Career Advice
Self-care tips for social media professionals?

The discussion is active and ongoing about the pros and cons about social media’s impact on various demographics. There’s so many stories about how to manage time, and energy and focus if you’re a social media end user, but how do you manage as a social media pro? There’s a risk of burnout. work/life balance, device or content fatigue  I feel more stories, tips, and best practices could be shared!I like to device detox from time to time, for set times when I’m “touching grass,” focusing on other hobbies or pursuits. (I try to minimize using smartphones to check accounts at 3AM, but there are times when that’s not so easy). Making time to read a good book or even an audio book forces me to slow down at times, which is grounding.How do you reset and wind down?

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Jonathan Zuluaga
Community Manager
Jonathan ZuluagaCommunity Manager
published in Career Advice
Apply to be a part of May's Mentorship Network ConnectionsApplications Closed May 16th

This month, The Arboretum Mentorship Network is back with three ways to connect—each designed to support your goals and meet you where you are. Whether you’re looking to lead, share, or learn, there’s a spot for you.1. Mentor <> Mentee ProgramSupport the next generation of social pros while flexing your leadership skills.Sign up to Mentor or Be Mentored2. Peer ConnectGet matched with another social pro to swap insights, ideas, and what’s working in your world.Apply to Peer Connect3. Sprout User ConnectLooking to go deep on platform strategy? This one’s for Sprout power users ready to exchange tips and workflows.Join Sprout User ConnectSign-ups close Friday, May 16. Matches hit inboxes Monday, May 19.You bring 30 minutes. We’ll bring the connection.

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kate.meyers emery
kate.meyers emeryLevel 5
posted in Career Advice
Ready to level up in my career... what's next for a social media manager?

I’ve been doing social media management for nearly 15 years now and have worked my way up to a senior digital comms role, but I’m not seeing a clear next step for me. There are so few social media director roles, comms director roles are always too PR focused, and I’m not up for going freelance.What is your next step? How are you preparing for it?

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Jonathan Zuluaga
Community Manager
Jonathan ZuluagaCommunity Manager
published in Career Advice
April Mentorship Network Connections Are Open!Sign Ups Close April 18th

It’s time to sign up for April’s round of Mentorship Network Connections! Whether you want to talk big-picture strategy or dig into Sprout shortcuts, we’ve got two tracks:Peer-to-Peer: Connect with another social pro for an honest, insightful 30-minute conversation.Sign Up NowSprout Platform Networking: Share how you’re using the platform, troubleshoot together, and spark new ideas.Sign up Now Sign ups close Friday, April 18th. Don’t miss your chance to learn and grow with someone who gets it.It’s simple, it’s impactful, and it only takes 30 minutes.Learn more, here.

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Jonathan Zuluaga
Community Manager
Jonathan ZuluagaCommunity Manager
published in Career Advice
Your Next Career Connection Starts Here— Sign Ups Close Friday, March 21st!Apply by March 21st

It’s time to grow, learn and connect. Big things happen when social media pros connect—and this month, The Arboretum Mentorship Network is giving you three incredible ways to grow, learn, and build your network! Mentor<>Mentee Connections – Get expert guidance or pay it forward by mentoring someone looking to grow. Apply Now Peer-to-Peer Networking – Exchange insights with a fellow social pro at your level and learn from each other. Apply Now Sprout Platform Networking – Connect with another Sprout user to trade strategies, tips, and best practices. Apply Now These quick 30-minute conversations could spark new ideas, open doors, and even change the course of your career. Don’t miss out—sign-ups close Friday, March 21st!Let’s make meaningful connections that last. See you in the Arboretum!

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Jonathan Zuluaga
Community Manager
Jonathan Zuluaga
Community Manager
Jonathan ZuluagaCommunity Manager
published in Career Advice
February Mentorship Network – Sign-Ups Open Now!Sign Ups Open Until Feb 21st

Ready to connect and grow your network?February’s round of the Arboretum Mentorship Network is now open! Whether you’re looking to exchange insights with a Peer-to-Peer match or dive into best practices with Sprout Platform Networking, there’s an opportunity for you.💡 Gain new perspectives🤝 Connect with like-minded professionals⏳ Small time commitment, big impactChoose the connection type that fits your needs and sign up today before applications close on February 21, 2025!Peer-to-Peer NetworkingConnect with another social pro for shared learning, problem-solving, and industry insights.SIGN UP NOWSprout Platform NetworkingLearn and exchange best practices with a fellow Sprout user to maximize your platform expertise.SIGN UP NOWLet’s grow together—Learn more. 

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Jonathan Zuluaga
Community Manager
katelyn.mcdonald
katelyn.mcdonaldLevel 2
posted in Career Advice
Digital Marketing/Social Media Conferences 2025

Hi everyone! I am looking to budget for a conference in 2025 around social media, digital marketing, and employee advocacy to expand my knowledge and connect with others in the industry. I work for a B2B company selling environmental engineering services and have been managing our social media for 5 years. I have been to The Social Shake-Up and the Ragan Social Media conferences in the past. Let me know if you have any suggestions!

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Heather
HeatherLevel 1
posted in Career Advice
Looking for Job Description for a Designer/Videographer to join the Corp Marketing Team

Hi there - I manage a 5 person team that supports our digital customer communities and organic social strategy. We have 60 plus handles plus a digital community. I have an open role - and am thinking that instead of replacing the social media strategist generalist - we actually need someone who is really great at design and video. Does anyone have a JD that supports this type of role? Thanks! Heather P.S. Hiring in Miami if you know of anyone. ,

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jamesfunLevel 1
posted in Career Advice
Advancing Careers with OMSB Certifications

The Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB) certification is a vital credential for healthcare professionals aiming to excel in the medical field. The Omani Examination for Nurses (OMSB_OEN) plays a critical role in ensuring nurses meet the highest standards of competence and professionalism. For those preparing for the OMSB exams, reliable practice materials can make all the difference. With OMSB Exams Questions tailored to reflect the actual exam format, candidates can build confidence, enhance their knowledge, and take meaningful steps toward career advancement in the healthcare sector.   

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amanda.hoffmannLevel 1
posted in Career Advice
Save Time with a Tagging System

One thing we’ve found super helpful is setting up tags for common types of responses while monitoring the inbox. These can be broad, like “Negative - Low” or “Post Response,” or more specific, like tagging different product types our client offers.It’s been a total lifesaver! When a client asks for all comments about a specific topic, we can quickly sort by tag, export the data, and send it over—easy peasy.If you’re looking for ways to stay organized and save time, this is definitely something to think about for the new year!

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TAMAYSLevel 2
asked in Career Advice
Must we be a jack of all trades?

Freelance social media tends to be an all in one type job (even though it shouldn’t be). So I find myself being an amateur photog, videographer, copywriter etc all to be an expert social media practitioner.  And it seems there are two levels to go about dealing with this, charge more so this can be outsourced to the experts, or be constantly context switch to work with the clients who can’t afford this.  I would love brain cells or other ways to accomplish a balance without having to be all things. Or is this just the nature of the beast? 

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scott.davisLevel 1
asked in Career Advice
Productivity Tip: Take advantage of the "Do Not Disturb" button!

So many time I find myself finally getting into a project, only to get a call or Teams message that pulls me away from my work. Hitting the Do Not Disturb button is an absolute life saver when your working on a project with a deadline and need some space to breathe.

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rababSprout Team
asked in Career Advice
Giveaway Day 1: Share Your Top Productivity Tip - To Do Lists!

This sounds super simple, but something that helps me stay on top of everything is super detailed to do lists. I do this using One Note, but there’s tons of apps (bonus if you can access on your computer and phone, like slack).  This helps me by writing down something I need to remember or something I need to do later, and would otherwise forget. This also helps me start my day as I can quickly remember exactly where I left off and what I need to do next! 

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ohva.commsLevel 2
asked in Career Advice
Keep it simple

I do social media for our school I keep things simple by just using a simple Excel spread sheet to lay out my ideas for each day of the upcoming months. I like to try to keep 1-2 months ahead with that simple plan and get posts scheduled out as far in advance so when extra requests come up I can have time to deal with them on the fly.

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madison.skipper
madison.skipperLevel 2
posted in Career Advice
How to avoid doom scrolling? - Productivity tip💡

As a social media manager, it can be difficult to avoid doom scrolling on your phone during work. Often times, I visit Instagram or TikTok to post something to a brand account or look for ideas, then I realize an hour has gone by scrolling.My top productivity hack to avoid doom scrolling is batching my tasks that require me to actually be on my phone/social media. I also utilize Sprout’s Smart Inbox for replying to comments/messages so I can avoid being on my phone.Curious if anyone else has tips or ways they avoid being on their phone during work hours (or even after work hours!)

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Jani Lilja
Jonathan Zuluaga
Community Manager
Jonathan ZuluagaCommunity Manager
published in Career Advice
Community Giveaway: Share Your Thoughts for a Chance to Win!Community Question Giveaway

We all have that one skill or habit that’s been a game-changer in our careers. Maybe it’s mastering time management, building a killer network, or staying curious and always learning.What’s one skill or habit that’s had the biggest impact on your career growth?Drop your answer in the comments below! Not only will you inspire others, but you’ll also be entered to win one of three giveaway swag packages. Ready to share? We can’t wait to hear your insights! The giveaway is open from 9 AM on November 19, 2024, until 11:59 PM on Tuesday, November 20, 2024. Two lucky winners will be randomly selected, so don’t miss your chance! Jump into the conversation and let’s talk about the future of social media! Contest terms and conditions are here.

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Katy4Riskonnect
Katy4RiskonnectLevel 2
asked in Career Advice
Schedule Tasks on Your Calendar | Productivity Tip for SMMs

Hey all - I’m Katy and I lead Riskonnect’s (B2B SaaS) Global Social Media program. My best productivity tip is: Schedule time to get specific tasks done on your calendar.  Scheduling a specific time to get work for Social done is so helpful - especially for folks like me who work with global colleagues, that may lean towards scheduling a meeting first thing in the morning (when a social post is set to go out, or to be checked on once live).  This can mean either time-blocking so that you always have time in the day to get work for Social done, or it can mean adding mandatory time into your day for both on and off the clock time. 

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amanda.coe
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jenx2yLevel 1
posted in Career Advice
Best Productivity Tip: Parallel Play

I love to "parallel play"—working alongside someone else on Facetime or in person without direct collaboration. It helps keep me off my phone and from doom scrolling. Similar to an accountability partner! Especially since I work remotely, it also feels like I’m working alongside a co-worker even though it’s usually just a friend in a completely different industry.

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jaime.monteforteLevel 2
posted in Career Advice
The Power of Focused Bursts

Here's how it works:Choose a task: Pick one specific task to focus on. Set a timer: Work on that task with intense focus for a set time (e.g., 25 minutes). Take a short break: Step away from your work completely for 5 minutes. Stretch, grab a coffee, or do something non-work related.   Repeat: Continue this cycle throughout your workday.Why it works for me:Improved focus: Knowing I have a limited time to work on a task helps me avoid distractions and stay laser-focused.   Increased energy: The short breaks prevent burnout and keep my energy levels up throughout the day. Reduced procrastination: Breaking down tasks into smaller chunks makes them feel less daunting and easier to start.   Enhanced creativity: Stepping away from my work allows my mind to wander and often leads to new ideas and solutions.  This technique, often called the Pomodoro Technique, has significantly boosted my productivity and reduced my stress levels. Give it a try and see if it works for you!

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PartTimerLevel 2
asked in Career Advice
Day 1 Giveaway - Productivity Tip

Use automation tools to save time, especially since they can help a pro to focus more on their creative side and leaving the hashtag creations, data analytics, and other important but time-consuming tasks to the right kinds of tools

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rababSprout Team
posted in Career Advice
Giveaway Day 1: Share Your Top Productivity Tip - To Do Lists!

This sounds super simple, but something that helps me stay on top of everything is super detailed to do lists. I do this using One Note, but there’s tons of apps (bonus if you can access on your computer and phone, like slack).  This helps me by writing down something I need to remember or something I need to do later, and would otherwise forget. This also helps me start my day as I can quickly remember exactly where I left off and what I need to do next! 

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rileyrroseLevel 1
posted in Career Advice
Giveaway Day 1: Share Your Top Productivity Tip - A pomodoro timer

My favorite hack for being more productive is using a pomodoro timer. As someone who can be easily distracted, working in social media can be especially challenging (anyone ever suddenly scrolling through a page about starting a hobby farm when you started out doing market research? lol).I like to use an app called Be Focused. It lets you create your to-do list for the day and to set how long you want your working sessions and breaks to be. I like to do 25 minutes of work, followed by a 3 minute break, 3x. On the third round, I get a longer 10 minute break. My rule is no phone during the short breaks, only during the long one!This process has helped me be so much more productive and focused over the past year!

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TruStageVoCLevel 1
posted in Career Advice
Giveaway Day 1: Productivity Tip - Make your bed!

Making your bed in the morning goes beyond just shuffling around your sheets to make things look a little less messy. It may be a small task, but it sets the tone for having a productive day. This action encourages you to tackle other items throughout the day and helps start the day with a sense of accomplishment and order 😀

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natasha.porizkovaLevel 2
asked in Career Advice
Digital Filing and Project Management

I personally cannot function if all of my work things are not in order!! To keep everything in order, I make sure that everything is documented and lives in our internal intranet. It doesn’t do anyone good if it just lives on my computer! I make sure things are clearly organized and uploaded so everyone has access.  I also rely so heavily on PM tools to keep me organized. I’ve used ClickUp, Wrike and Asana at previous orgs and at my new org we use Loop. Loop isn’t the best of the PM tools out there, but it still helps get what i need done to help me remember all of the little things that are so easy to forget!

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Jonathan Zuluaga
Community Manager
Jonathan ZuluagaCommunity Manager
published in Career Advice
Giveaway Day 1: Share Your Top Productivity Tip!Holiday Giveaway Extravaganza

CLOSED FOR ENTRIESWelcome to the first day of The 2024 Holiday Giveaway Extravaganza! We’re kicking things off with a fun and practical prompt to inspire us all. Share your best productivity tip in a new post in the Career Advice forum and explain why it works for you. After you’ve shared, reply to at least two other members’ tips to see what new ideas you can discover!Today’s Prizes:We’re giving away two packages valued at $250, that include Ember Smart Mugs, Daily Planner To Do List Notepads and Walnut Stand, premium notebook and Moleskin pen to help keep you organized and motivated all day long. Get involved, share your insights, and start the holiday season by making your workday more efficient. Let’s make Day 1 a big success!Learn more about our Holiday Giveaway Extravaganza, here.

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