6 Steps to Start Your Community Manager Careers in 2025

Are you thinking about a career where you can connect with people, share exciting ideas, and help build online communities? If so, community manager careers might be exactly what you're looking for. I get it, the idea of engaging with a community, helping the m grow, and seeing your efforts make an impact is really rewarding. 

More and more companies are realizing the power of having strong online communities, so the need for community managers is growing fast.

If you're new to this field, don't worry. We’ll explore the skills you need, the different opportunities available, and the potential for growth in community manager careers. It’s an exciting path where you can truly make a difference, whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up. 

This field is growing, and there’s plenty of room to learn and grow as you go. So, let’s dive in and discover how you can build a successful career as a community manager.

11 Skills Required for Community Manager Careers

Starting a career as a community manager is an exciting and rewarding path, but it requires a diverse set of skills. Community managers play a crucial role in building and maintaining relationships within online communities, ensuring a positive and engaged environment. 

If you're considering a career in community management, here are the essential skills you’ll need to succeed:

1. Strong Communication Skills

Effective communication is the foundation of any community manager's role. Whether you’re writing posts, replying to comments, or addressing member concerns, the ability to convey messages clearly and professionally is key. 

You must be able to communicate with different audiences, whether it’s handling conflicts, promoting a brand, or simply engaging with members.

2. Empathy and Emotional Intelligence

A good community manager knows how to empathize with their community members. Whether addressing a concern or celebrating a success, understanding people's emotions and responding appropriately is essential. 

Emotional intelligence helps in building stronger connections and fostering a positive community atmosphere.

3. Problem-Solving Abilities

In any community, issues will arise—from conflicts between members to technical problems. A community manager must be quick to identify problems and find solutions.

Whether it’s resolving disputes, handling negative feedback, or finding ways to keep members engaged, being resourceful and proactive is a must.

4. Social Media Savvy

Since much of community management takes place online, being comfortable with social media platforms is essential. 

You’ll need to know how to manage various community platforms like Facebook Groups, Reddit, Discord, or niche community spaces. Understanding the specific features of each platform and how to leverage them for community engagement is crucial.

5. Content Creation and Curation

Community managers often need to create content, whether it’s blog posts, social media updates, newsletters, or educational materials. Strong writing and content creation skills are essential to provide valuable information and engage members. 

You should also be able to curate relevant content from other sources to keep the community informed.

6. Organizational and Time Management Skills

Managing an online community involves juggling many tasks, including moderating discussions, organizing events, and responding to inquiries. Being well-organized helps you stay on top of your responsibilities, plan ahead, and avoid missing important deadlines. Time management is crucial for balancing daily tasks and long-term projects.

7. Conflict Resolution and Diplomacy

As a community manager, you will encounter conflicts, whether it’s between members or arising from a misunderstanding. Being able to manage and resolve conflicts diplomatically is a key skill. You need to stay calm, listen to all parties involved, and find a fair resolution that supports the community's values.

8. Adaptability

The digital world is constantly changing, and so are the needs of online communities. You must be able to adapt to new technologies, trends, and platforms. 

Community management tools are always evolving, so staying updated on the latest tools, strategies, and best practices is important for continued success.

9. Analytical Skills

Community managers should be able to track and analyze engagement data to understand the health of their community. This includes monitoring member activity, identifying trends, and using metrics to improve community engagement strategies. 

Familiarity with analytics tools for social media and other platforms will help you assess what works and what doesn’t.

10. Networking and Relationship Building

Building connections within the community and with external stakeholders (like influencers or partners) is important for growing and strengthening the community. 

A good community manager knows how to network and form relationships that benefit the community and the brand they represent.

11. Creativity

To keep a community vibrant, you need to think creatively. Whether it's coming up with fun engagement ideas, creating eye-catching content, or solving problems in unique ways, creativity is key to keeping members engaged and excited about the community.

6 Steps to Start a Community Manager Career

If you're interested in community management and wonder how to turn it into a career, you're not alone. Many people, like Carmen, have made the journey from having no idea about community management to leading thriving communities for multinational companies. 

Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to pivot into this field, the path is full of possibilities. Let’s break down the essential steps to launch your own career as a community manager.

1. Understand the Role of a Community Manager

Before diving into any career, it’s important to know what you’re getting into. A community manager is the person who nurtures and grows an online community, ensuring it remains active and engaged. 

They monitor interactions, resolve conflicts, and create strategies to help the community thrive. Community managers work closely with brand teams to build relationships with customers or users, which often leads to business growth. If this sounds interesting to you, let’s dive into the next step.

2. Build Your Own Community (Even If You’ve Never Done It Before)

One of the best ways to learn community management is by doing it. Carmen's story shows us how she started her first community with no experience but a lot of passion. 

She created a Facebook group focused on her target audience, listened to their needs, and added value by offering helpful content. Through this process, she discovered the power of community firsthand.

You don’t need a huge budget to start. Pick a topic you care about and get started with a platform like Facebook, Reddit, or Discord. 

Be genuine, engage with people, and focus on providing value rather than promoting a product. By doing so, you’ll gain hands-on experience and learn what works and what doesn’t in building a strong, engaged community.

3. Learn the Skills You Need

Community management requires a diverse skill set. You’ll need strong communication skills, empathy, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities. Learning how to resolve conflicts and keep things positive in a group setting is crucial. 

Additionally, understanding the technical aspects of community platforms—like how to set up and manage a Facebook group or a Slack channel—can help you manage your community more effectively.

While you can learn these skills through practice, you can also benefit from online resources and courses on community management. 

Carmen mentions that she absorbed everything she could from books, conferences, and networking with others in the community management space. Don’t hesitate to explore these resources to sharpen your skills.

4. Start Small, Think Big

If you’re like Carmen, you may start small with a community of a few hundred members, but don’t be afraid to think big. Building a community can grow over time, and as it does, so will your responsibilities. 

Focus on cultivating a positive and engaged environment. Over time, you may have the opportunity to scale up by implementing structured programs, gathering feedback from members, and enhancing the community’s experience.

As you get more comfortable, think about expanding the scope of your community to different platforms or organizing events, like webinars or meetups. The more you grow, the more you’ll learn, and eventually, you’ll become a trusted expert in your niche.

5. Apply for Community Manager Jobs

Once you’ve gained experience, it’s time to apply for community manager positions. Carmen didn’t have formal experience when she first applied for her community management role, but she demonstrated her passion and the ability to build a community. 

She used her startup background and her understanding of people to impress her future employer. Look for positions where companies seek people who are passionate about building relationships and communities.

Your experience running a small group will make you stand out, even if you haven't worked in a large-scale professional setting yet. Focus on showcasing your skills, enthusiasm, and what you've learned through your hands-on experiences.

6. Keep Learning and Growing

The world of community management is constantly evolving. New tools, platforms, and strategies emerge all the time. Carmen emphasizes the importance of continuous learning. She attended conferences, read books, and learned from others in the industry. 

As you gain more experience, consider attending workshops or joining professional communities like CMX, which can provide valuable insights and networking opportunities.

The more you learn, the more valuable you’ll become to companies looking for community managers. Stay up to date with trends, share your knowledge, and help others in the community management space. This will open up new opportunities and help you continue advancing your career.

Wrapping Up

Starting a career as a community manager can be a fulfilling journey. Like Carmen, you don’t need to have formal experience to get started, but passion, commitment, and continuous learning are essential to building a successful career. 

By following these steps, you'll be on your way to becoming a skilled community manager, creating connections, and making a positive impact on businesses and individuals alike.

FAQs

What are the essential skills for a community manager?

Key skills include communication, empathy, conflict resolution, and technical understanding of community platforms.

Can I become a community manager without prior experience?

Yes! Start by building your own community to gain practical experience and demonstrate your passion.

Do I need a large budget to start a community?

No, many successful communities have been built with little to no money. Focus on engaging with your audience and adding value.

How do I apply for community manager jobs?

Highlight your experience in managing communities, even on a small scale, and emphasize your passion for building relationships.

How can I continue to grow as a community manager?

Stay informed about industry trends, network with others in the field, and continuously improve your skills by learning from others.