This days im interested in SEM

Within the past few years, it seems that social media positions are popping up everywhere, in all types of organizations, from The New York Times, to Pizza Hut, and even in the White House. Businesses of all types are identifying the need to stay connected with their communities because they recognize the benefits.

Social media marketing is just a slice of the social media industry, but it’s a very important piece of the story. Businesses see social media as a platform for engaging with consumers and informing them of the latest company news and products. Marketers are blazing trails in the social media marketing sector, creating campaigns that are interactive, shareable and inclusive of the community. For the most innovative of marketers, the focus isn’t on campaigns, but on letting consumers take the reigns in guiding a brand’s social presence.

For aspiring social media marketers, there are no strict rules for becoming successful. But we’ve gathered eight of the brightest minds in the social media industry to elaborate on five helpful tips for landing a job in social media marketing.

1. Join Social Media Meetups and Networks

In speaking with a number of digital entrepreneurs, one tip stood out as the first step towards on the web success: step away from your computer, meet with professionals in the field you want to work with and join groups of others interested in social media and technology. Damien Basile, communication strategist and founder of Digital Somethings, a monthly digital influencer event series, said it loud and clear, “The old axiom still rings true: It’s who you know, what you know and how much money you have access to.”

Digital Strategist and Co-Founder of Foodspotting, Soraya Darabi, advocates that job seekers looking to break into the social media world get out and meet people in the industry:

“Most careers depend a lot on networks, but the beauty of social media is that you can “meet” most of the people you need to know online. Having said that, I truly appreciate real life conversations, and get great value from the New York Tech Meetup after-events, where like-minded entrepreneurs and digital strategists roam. Create your own networking event if you can’t find a nearby group to suit your interests.”

Joining groups like the New York Tech Meetup and Social Media Club are a great start to getting to know professionals in the industry. Make sure you’re not just attending events, sitting in the back and leaving after the speeches end. Be proactive about meeting new people, learning about what they do and having meaningful conversations.

If you can’t find a fitting group of interesting people nearby, your own Meetup. Organizing a group of specialized experts is one way to sky-rocket your name to the top.

2. Make Relationships, Not Pitches

Joining specialized groups is just the beginning; don’t stop there. When you meet people with interesting stories, get to know them and build a true relationship. Forget the marketing pitches and the elevator speech and leave your resume at home. People can instinctively identify a fraud; be genuine in your mission to the industry and what your acquaintances are working on. I like the way Soundcloud Evangelist David Noël puts it, “Don’t be spammy, pushy, sales-y, douchey, or scary.”

The ideal thing about the social space is that you can continue your relationships online. As Basile puts it, “Comment, interact, blog and re-blog. The more you make yourself heard, the more you will be heard.” Make sure you’re staying active within your network, and don’t forget to listen.

Pedro Sorrentino, MediaMind’s marketing and PR coordinator in Brazil, says to remember that “it’s not only about the people you know, it’s about the way you treat them as well. Technology is just a platform and social media is all about sociology, human behavior and status.” He points out that technology can lead way to short, crass communications. Learn how to engage your network in a “clever and polite way.”

Sophia Aladenoye, a digital strategist at Ogilvy Public Relations, stresses the important of embracing the extrovert in you while on your mission to make your connections count:

“My top tip would be to always engage with people. I have seen this, time and time again, that those who are in the social media industry and who wish to break in are individuals who actually like people and like to people. Those are the ones who I see thriving in this industry — it is called “social” for a reason. Even if you consider yourself an introvert, there should be a part of yourself that still reaches out to people.”

3. Stay Informed of Trends, Tools and News

Training, experience and knowledge are all very important for any career choice. Since social media is such a new industry, there aren’t very many standards on what type of training you should have or which tools you should be utilizing to measure success. Because the landscape changes so quickly, it is therefore very important that you are constantly learning. Keep yourself updated on the latest technologies, trends and news by reading up. Walter Junior, social media strategist at Riot, points out that being in the know is key:

“Keep up-to-date with tools, applications, studies and reports. In my opinion, it’s essential to monitor and be familiar with a wide range of InternetInternet materials, such as social media usage research, in order not only to market and users’ consumption habits, but also to know how they are changing each day.”

Darabi believes that industry awareness and a passion for new things keeps aspiring social media marketers on top of their game. “The magic word in our industry is beta. Get on the beta for every product that intrigues you, try it for yourself before you suggest the product or platform to your brand or organization. Early-adoption and the ability to be first-to-market is an simple gateway to success.”

A background or knowledge in marketing or PR doesn’t hurt, either. Jakub Svoboda, publisher of Tyinternety.cz, a Czech blog specialized in digital marketing and social media, states that “you have to understand, at least on a basic level, how companies are communicating, what brand marketing is, how to deal with reputation, how to manage a PR crisis, and how to write copy for social advertisements.” If you have a passion for social media, but don’t have the marketing experience, don’t be discouraged. Pick up a marketing book, take a course, or get a mentor.

When you’re on top of the latest news, you’ll never have to worry about fudging up on the facts in an interview. Kimberly Aguilera, planning and new media recruiter at Tangerine Talent Management, advises that, “at an interview you should be prepared with your own ideas for the company or agency [you are interviewing with]. Have relevant examples of who is doing what right.” Aguilera also advises that you cut out the jargon and begin at the basics while interviewing. “Being able to instruct is a big part of the roles. Not everyone knows as much as you do all of the time. You have to make it all understandable for non-social media experts.”

To stay on top of the latest news, fill your RSS reader with the sources that cover that news. Our experts suggest AdAgeAdAge, PSFK, Creativity Magazine,

Many American BP Gas Stations Want Amoco Name Back

A bunch of BP gas station owners are trying to revert back to the Amoco name, which was bought by BP, hoping to attract customers as some stations have seen a 40 percent drop in sales since the oil spill.

BP stations across the country have been targets of public anger, protests and sign alterations. And that is bad news for the 11,300 BP gas stations in America. Many owners now want to revert back to Amoco, according to the executive director of BP Amoco Marketers Association, John Kleine. He told The Sunday Telegraph, “They are interested in where the brand is going, and want it to be returned to its premier place.”

It's still not known if that is even a possibility, but Klein says the issue will probably come up at the distributor's annual meeting in October, which will be attended by top BP executives. But for now, the owners are pleading with the public. One station owner in Alabama, Savita Kakadia two weeks ago told reporters, “BP doesn't own this station, I do.”

Send an email to Jeff Neumann, the author of this post, at jeff@gawker.com.