It’s a common misconception that social media jobs are glamorous and as simple as posting entertaining, witty Tweets or colorfully curated Instagram posts. And it’s frustrating when friends, family and even colleagues oversimplify your role as a social media manager.
By all accounts, social media professionals have demanding roles that require critical, creative thinking, organization and collaboration across teams. Those demands coupled with the “always on” nature of social media make burnout a very real challenge.
We spoke to Leigh Morrison, the Senior Manager of Corporate Social Media at Red Hat, Inc., a leading technology company that provides enterprise open source solutions*. She and her team are responsible for managing all the corporate social media handles. Given the complex nature of the company’s offerings, the customer and community feedback Red Hat receives on social media every day is invaluable. However, Morrison knows first-hand the challenges and demands that come with that.
“We’re just beginning to understand the potential psychological effects of social media on holistic health and well-being, and we need to consider how those effects may compound for people in our field,” says Morrison. “It’s important to build in moments to step away, connect in real life and recharge.”
Do you feel unable to log off at the end of the day or on weekends? Are you hesitant to take hard-earned PTO? Are you constantly checking your phone, afraid to miss a beat on social? Do you feel overwhelmed by your workload? If so, you might be at risk of burning out, but you’re not alone.
Real talk: we know you're extra tired and burnt out this year. If we need to remind you to take a break every single day, we will.
Be proud of what you've accomplished and remember to put yourself first.
— Sprout Social (@SproutSocial) October 1, 2021
Navigating the pitfalls of burnout as a social media manager requires strategic self-care, fostering healthy work routines amidst fast paced content creation and engagement – an ongoing battle well fought for one's mental welfare.
Overcoming burnout as a social media manager requires finding harmony between professional goals and personal time, embracing day-toff practices for mental recharge.
Coping with burnout as a social media manager can be challenging, but maintaining personal boundaries and practicing self-care during hectic工作日 schedules are crucial for sustaining motivation in the long run.
