The esports industry is growing rapidly, creating new career opportunities beyond just playing professionally. One of the most in-demand roles in this space is that of a Social Media Manager—a professional responsible for building an organisation’s online presence, engaging with fans, and promoting events.

If you love gaming, social media, and digital marketing, a career as a Social Media Manager in esports could be a perfect fit. Let’s dive into what the role entails, why it’s crucial for the industry, and what skills you need to succeed.

What Does a Social Media Manager Do?

A Social Media Manager is responsible for handling an organisation’s online presence, ensuring that fans, sponsors, and general audiences stay engaged with the brand. This includes:

Developing social media strategies – Crafting plans to increase engagement, followers, and brand awareness. Creating and posting content – Designing posts, graphics, memes, and videos for various platforms. Managing esports community interactions – Responding to comments, engaging with fans, and fostering an active online community. Analysing data and metrics – Using insights from social media analytics to refine strategies. Collaborating with marketing teams – Aligning social media efforts with broader business goals.

Essentially, a Social Media Manager ensures that esports teams, brands, and events remain relevant and visible online.

Why Social Media Management is Essential in Esports

Social media is one of the biggest drivers of engagement in the esports industry, with millions of fans following their favourite teams, players, and tournaments.

How Social Media Managers Impact Esports

Promoting teams and players – Sharing match highlights, player interviews, and team updates. Building hype for events – Creating countdowns, live-tweeting matches, and posting behind-the-scenes content. Engaging with fans – Responding to comments, posting interactive content, and fostering online communities. Boosting sponsorship visibility – Showcasing partnerships and advertisements in creative ways.

Without a strong social media presence, esports organisations struggle to grow their audience and attract sponsorship deals.

Key Skills Needed to Succeed as an Esports Social Media Manager

Want to break into social media management in esports? Here are the skills you need to develop:

1. Strong Social Media and Digital Marketing Skills

To thrive in this role, you must understand how social media algorithms work and be able to create content that maximises engagement. Knowledge of platforms like Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube is essential.

2. Deep Knowledge of the Esports Industry

A Social Media Manager should know the teams, tournaments, and gaming culture inside and out. Esports moves fast, and keeping up with trends is crucial for staying relevant.

3. Content Creation and Editing Skills

Being able to design eye-catching graphics, edit short videos, and write engaging captions makes a huge difference in audience engagement.

4. Communication and Community Management

Social media is all about engagement, so strong communication skills are necessary for interacting with fans, handling PR crises, and building a loyal following.

5. Analytical and Data-Driven Thinking

Social media managers track engagement metrics, follower growth, and campaign success to refine strategies. Understanding analytics tools like Google Analytics, Hootsuite, or Sprout Social is a huge advantage.

How to Get Started in Esports Social Media Management

If you’re passionate about esports and social media, here’s how to break into the field:

1. Build Your Own Social Media Presence

Start by creating and managing your own gaming-related accounts. Post about tournaments, share esports news, and engage with the community to showcase your skills.

2. Get Hands-On Experience

Look for internships, volunteer roles, or freelance gigs with esports teams, gaming brands, or streamers. Many small organisations are looking for social media help, and this is a great way to build your portfolio.

3. Learn Social Media Tools and Analytics

Familiarise yourself with social media scheduling tools (Hootsuite, Buffer, Sprout Social) and analytics platforms to track engagement and growth.

4. Stay Updated on Esports Trends

Follow esports news, tournaments, and players to stay ahead of trends. Being knowledgeable about gaming culture makes content more authentic and engaging.

5. Network with Industry Professionals

Join esports marketing groups, attend gaming events, and connect with esports professionals on LinkedIn and Twitter to find opportunities in the industry.

Conclusion

Esports Social Media Managers play a critical role in shaping the digital presence of teams, players, and brands. With the industry continuing to expand, skilled professionals in this field are in high demand.

If you’re interested in a career in esports social media, start developing your digital marketing skills, gaining hands-on experience, and staying engaged with the gaming community.