Connie Bensen

This topic is one of the most popular searches that hits my blog. And it’s a popular subject on the Facebook Community Manager group. I have more definitive numbers now.

As I see more postings the the annual salary is increasing. The average is around $70 k per year. You can see our discussion at the Facebook Group. And I also made a thread there listing places to look if you’re seeking a Community Manager position.

Here’s an example which is Forrester’s posting: $90 – 110

Location: Cambridge

Forrester Research, Inc. (Nasdaq: FORR) is an independent technology and market research company that provides pragmatic and forward-thinking advice to global leaders in business and technology. For more than 24 years, Forrester has been making leaders successful every day through its proprietary research, consulting, events, and peer-to-peer executive programs. For more information, visit www.forrester.com.

DESCRIPTION

Forrester Online Community Manager
Cambridge, Mass. *(must be onsite M-F)
Salary Range: 90-110K, commensurate w/experience

***PLEASE APPLY DIRECTLY AT http://forrester.hodesiq.com/careers/job_detail.asp?JobID=1171534&user_id=

At Forrester Research, we believe a direct conversation between customers and employees is essential to helping our customers make the right decisions in their jobs. We are looking for someone who is passionate about helping customers on a daily basis and who can energize and breathe life into a gathering of minds.

The Forrester Online Community Manager’s mission is to develop a strategy and plan to launch, grow, and maintain customer communities at Forrester. As a passionate customer advocate, you are responsible for representing the best interests of the community. In this hybrid role, you are part support, coordinator, facilitator, yet always remaining customer-focused. You lead, guide, and moderate discussion topics between members and employees, as well as collect and represent the needs from the community. You will align the business and operational needs of the community programs and integrate it with various facets of the business.

Responsibilities:
* Develop strategy for the launch and growth of our customer communities
* Monitor internal and external Web sites and facilitate discussions
* Engage with the community through a series of online and offline events
* Provide real-time alerts and monthly reports to key internal stakeholders
* Coordinate, publish, and follow up on Forrester content as it serves the needs of our customers
* Identify and develop relationships with research analysts and key internal content developers
* Evangelize and train internal clients on the value of the online community, including research, client group marketing teams, and IT
* Prioritize incoming member requests and redirect to internal clients as needed

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Requirements:
* Bachelor’s degree and experience in managing similar online business communities; experience in marketing preferred
* Well-versed in online communications and social media tools including forums, blogs, podcasts, wikis and social networks
* Strong sense of urgency and ability to respond quickly and timely
* Savvy online communication skills — presenting a welcoming and professional voice yet, able to manage online detractors in a discreet and tactful way
* Ability to multitask in several communities
* Proficiency in basic systems administration such as permissions, content publishing, and other “back-end” tools
* Good social and interpersonal skills that translate well into an online persona

CLOSING

Forrester Research is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer; M/F/D/V are especially encouraged to apply.

This question is asked often – What is the average salary? Last September I tackled it & posted some numbers. But it’s like trying to nail down measurement of social media – it’s quite elusive.

On the other hand is it time for Community Managers to start talking about salaries? As this position becomes more prevalent I think it would be helpful for job seekers and company’s alike to have an idea of a salary range.

At present the salaries that I’ve heard of are $50 k and up. Mack Collier was shocked at that reality. He thinks that it should be $100 k. I think he has a good idea of the specturm of tasks that a Community Manager is responsible for: Customer Service, Tech Support, PR, Marketing, web 2.0 trainer, projects, building community, etc.

It also seems prevalent that companies are asking the prospective employee what they’d like for a salary. This leaves the person wondering what is fair. Granted there are many factors that affect a person’s salary: previous experience, location (but does it really? does working remotely affect the salary?), size of company, responsibilities.

So what should the salary be? Is this position a highly skilled position? When companies search for their Community Manager what value do they place on finding someone with proven skills in community building, customer service & knowledge on use of social media tools?

As you get to know me, you’ll find that I’m very open.. But in turn, I expect the same in return. So when I saw this question posted by a friend at the Community Manager Facebook Group I sent him a PM with the info I had gathered.

David Yeo (Singapore) wrote on Sep 28, 2007 at 11:38 PM

I’d like to find out what is a fair amount to pay for a community manager ? I reckon it varies with places and the amount of work to perform.

I researched this last summer & had some numbers for him. But then others have been wanting them, so I thought it easiest to post the info here. Please comment if you have numbers that you believe are more reflective of the marketplace.

For the web strategist position, I have seen $80 – $120 k/yr on Jeremiah Owyang’s blog. For consulting work another friend told me that the rates range from $50 – $400 /hr.

Talking about rates of pay is sticky business, I realize that. So I’ll add the factors that I think need to be taken into account:

• A Community Manager is responsible for a proportion of what a Web Strategist does. This will vary widely depending on the position.
• Location – another big factor. I’m working remotely which is of a lot of value to me, but will add costs for my periodic travel to the home office. My cost of living is lower in rural MN.
• Size of company & point of adoption – I think this affects the value they place on the position
• Salary vs contracting – If you’re contracting, you need to ask a % more to compensate for:
  • paying all of your FICA here in the US
  • health & life insurance benefits, 401k, paid vacation & sick leave, etc
  • home office costs.
• People come from different backgrounds – IT vs Marketing & experience
• Jeremiah O. has a list of these types of positions but I’ve found very few list salaries.
• These positions go by a number of names which makes it hard to research them on salary websites.

What am I forgetting? These numbers have been helpful to my sister & I. Job satisfaction rates really high for me & that’s for another post.