Why It’s Easier to Be Darth Vader Than a Social Media Manager
Star Wars has been around for decades and people still love it. One of the iconic characters, Darth Vader, has to be nearly at the top of the Star Wars totem pole. You’d think that Darth Vader has a tough job. But it’s not as tough as being a social media manager!
Getting Dressed
Getting Dressed
Every day, Darth Vader gets up and puts on an all-black outfit. He gets a black helmet, a cool black cape, and humongous boots. Social Media Managers (SMMs) have to consider what to wear every single day. Although we own a lot of t-shirts, that’s not the best thing to wear all the time.
Put on a Happy Face
Put on a Happy Face
Does Darth Vader worry about putting on a happy face? Never! In fact, his smart phone doesn’t even have happy face emoticons!
LOL! @BlueSteeleTX I think we need a blog post #StarWars and social media. Why it's easier to be #DarthVader than social media manager.
— Robert Nissenbaum (@rnissenbaum) December 18, 2015
Backtracking
Backtracking is a good way to present a topic in the cinema sometimes. So here’s the backstory.
Recently, a couple of my friends singled me out as a good person to write about Darth Vader and being a social media manager (see the tweet above). So here you go, Robert Nissenbaum and Adam Fout!
Darth Vader gets full benefits
Benefits
SMMs have to buy their own benefits, while Darth Vader gets full medical benefits (including dental and vision) through the Star Wars Medical Trifecta!
R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
You’d think people would respect social media managers more. However, people have changed their names to Darth Vader because of the aura of toughness that Darth Vader has. Do little kids want to be social media managers when they grow up? As if!
Profitability
Profitability
Darth Vader, of all Star Wars characters, has been called the most profitable. You could probably not compare his profits to those of an SMM. Well, you could, but Darth Vader has a lot more zeroes in his paycheck.
Content Writing
Content Writing
Darth Vader has multiple scriptwriters. Social media managers have to write their own content, including headlines. And sometimes those headlines can be a real pain in the asterisk to write!
Stand-ins
Stand-ins
Darth Vader has up to twelve people to help him out, including multiple people for his voice. And nine different actors played Darth Vader! Social media managers don’t have stand-ins, unless they have a team to assist, which is rare.
Grumpytosis
Grumpytosis
Darth Vader gets to be grumpy and gruff all the time. Social media managers need to have an upbeat, positive attitude. By the way, here’s my article Social Media Managers and Insomnia. Sometimes being upbeat all the time leads to insomnia.
Legend
Legend
Yes: That would be @DarthVader’s account on Twitter! 423,000 followers. Is there one for social media managers? I think not!
What’s Your Gripe?
Leave me a comment! Tell me if it’s easier to be Darth Vader or you!
Love this!! And some days it’s definitely easier to be Darth Vader for me. Like now. On vacation and still have content t create and post.
Hi Robert,
I sure feel you there. Still looking for/creating content and on vacation. Yup! We need a better union!
Thanks,
Carol
This is epic! Very clever. Too true.
Thank you so much, Bridget!
I was hoping you might relate. And I hope you have an epic day (or two or three) off!
Sincerely,
Carol
This is amazing. Yes, YES! Let the social media hate flow through you! MUAHAHAHAHA!
Oh, man! You must be channeling Darth Vader right now, Adam Fout!
Thanks for taking time out out of your evil chores to comment. :D
Carol
Absolutely nailed it! This witty comparison perfectly captures the challenges social media managers face. The constant juggling of diverse tasks and the pressure to maintain a positive online presence can indeed feel like navigating the dark side. Kudos for shedding light on the demanding yet rewarding role of social media managers – may the force be with them!
Thank you for your comments, Maarkgraf! Appreciate it.