As the esports industry continues to experience exponential growth, the role of community managers has become increasingly important. Community managers are the bridge between the brand and its audience, fostering a strong and engaged community within the esports world. This article delves into the responsibilities, strategies, and impact of community managers in esports.
The Responsibilities of Community Managers
Community managers play a pivotal role in the esports industry. Their primary responsibility is to build, manage, and engage with online communities of fans, players, and influencers. This involves developing and executing community engagement strategies, creating and publishing compelling content, and monitoring community metrics.
Engagement with fans, players, and influencers is a key part of a community manager’s role. They are the voice of the brand, interacting with the community on various social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube, Reddit, blogs, websites, Twitch, and forums. They also work closely with PR and marketing teams to influence how the community perceives the brand.
Community managers are also responsible for creating and publishing compelling content that resonates with the community. This could be in the form of press releases, interviews, or regular posts on social media. They need to stay up to date with the latest memes and social platforms, and have strong communication, writing, video editing, and design/Photoshop skills.
Monitoring community metrics is another crucial aspect of a community manager’s role. They need to have a good understanding of what the community wants and needs, making them important assets in a company’s strategy and product development.
Strategies for Effective Community Management
Understanding the esports industry, players, teams, and events is vital for effective community management. A strong background in community management and social media marketing is also essential. Community managers need to be creative, have excellent communication and organizational skills, and be able to work under tight deadlines.
Staying up to date with the latest social media trends and platforms is also important. Community managers need to know where their audience is and how to engage with them effectively. They also need to be able to handle operational projects such as event management.
Experience or knowledge in human resources can be a bonus for community managers, as the role is people-focused. They often work closely with product management and sales/partnerships teams, and need to be able to understand and meet the needs of the community.
The Impact of Community Managers on Esports
Community managers play a critical role in building a sense of community and loyalty around esports events, teams, and players. They work closely with marketing teams to align the community with the brand’s overall strategy. During esports tournaments and events, community managers work with production teams to engage and inform the community. They may host Q&A sessions, moderate online forums, and engage with fans on social media.
Community managers also influence the audience’s perception of a product or brand. They work closely with PR and marketing teams to ensure that the brand is perceived positively by the community. They may be required to write press releases, conduct interviews, and post regularly on social media to maintain a positive image of the brand.
The Future of Community Management in Esports
The demand for skilled community managers in the esports industry is growing. With the industry’s rapid growth, there are more opportunities for community managers to progress in their careers. They may move into influencer management, project management, marketing/social media, or partnerships/business development.
Gaining experience in community management through volunteering is a good way to get started in the industry. A degree in marketing/communications or a related field can be beneficial, but it’s not essential. Community and social media management is usually a 9 to 5 role, but community managers may be expected to schedule posts in the evenings and weekends for consistent engagement.
The typical salary for a junior community manager is around £20,000, while senior managers can earn between £35,000 and £40,000 or above.
Conclusion
The role of community managers in esports is crucial. They play a vital role in building and engaging with communities, aligning them with marketing strategies, and ensuring community growth and success. As the esports industry continues to grow, the demand for skilled community managers is also increasing. The future of community management in esports looks promising, with more opportunities for career progression and a growing demand for skilled professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to our FAQ section on “The Role of Community Managers in Esports”. Here, we provide answers to some common questions related to the article content.
What are the responsibilities of community managers in esports?
Community managers are responsible for building, managing, and engaging with online communities of fans, players, and influencers. They develop and execute community engagement strategies, create and publish content, and monitor community metrics.
How do community managers contribute to the esports industry?
Community managers play a critical role in building and engaging with communities in the esports industry. They help create a sense of community and loyalty around esports events, teams, and players. They also work closely with marketing teams to align the community with the brand’s overall marketing strategy.
What skills are required to become a community manager in esports?
Skills needed to become a community manager in esports include a strong background in community management, social media marketing, or a related field. Experience in managing online communities, developing engagement strategies, and creating compelling content is important. A strong understanding of the esports industry, players, teams, and events is necessary. Creativity, excellent communication, organizational skills, and the ability to work under tight deadlines are essential.
What other roles do community managers in esports take on?
Community managers in esports may also work closely with PR and marketing teams to influence how the audience feels about a product or brand. They may be required to write press releases, conduct interviews, and post regularly on social media. Additionally, they may work with product management, sales/partnerships teams, and even attend events to arrange meet and greets and assist fans in person.