What’s the future of the social media strategist role?

My answer:
The discussion of the future of the social media strategist role shouldn't be just about those who already live this role, but also include the need to cultivate those with the potential to become one.

I agree with David Armano's remark that it's hard to find people who meet the required skills and experience on
both the social and business side — and this is exactly why companies should focus on training and nurturing people with the potential to become social strategists / analysts, and not just look for those who are already experts. A lot has been said about avoiding those who call themselevs social media gurus, ninjas experts and all of that.
But what I want to see are real initiatives and the acknowledgement from companies of the need to support and nurture the interal champions they already have.

Likewise, we need to have more social business
educators not just for a corporate audience but also for students and professionals in the education sector

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What's the future of the social media strategist role?