If a career change is in your future and social media is your passion, or you’re an employer looking to fill a role with an external candidate, know that it is possible to transition between industries successfully.
Know your audience
New employees should take time to identify and understand their audience by looking at research and studying engagement patterns. Employers should be transparent to help staff gain a full understanding of their target market. Both should ask questions about brand interaction and use the information gathered to help plan a content strategy that drives results and connects with customers in an authentic way.
Be open to change
With a change in industries and audience, it might be necessary for new employees to make adjustments to the platforms they’re accustomed to using. Employers may also learn about new opportunities that could benefit their company when hiring staff with experience in other areas. Facebook and Twitter might be the best options to utilize in an industry like health care, where the messaging can be more detailed, while college students may spend their time on Instagram and Snapchat sharing in-the-moment events happening on campus.
Understand policies
As a supervisor who has brought on new talent, be sure to explain the fundamentals of your industry and how they interact with social media. Are there laws or restrictions in place that may affect the information that can be shared? Once you pinpoint the considerations for sharing content publicly with your staff, ensure that an approval process is in place while new team members become acclimated.Â
Remember the basics
Social media should be engaging, informative and fun.
It offers a unique way to interact with your audience in real time, which can be used to a brand’s advantage if done correctly. Transitioning between industries can happen smoothly by keeping these things in mind.
-Jess Owens is senior public relations strategist for Carroll University in Waukesha.
