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Can I Make A Career Out Of Twitter, Facebook?

BOSTON (CBS) - The explosion of social media has meant a shift for companies, schools, even the government.

Businesses are now looking to incorporate Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ into what they do every day.

This also means a new career path: Social Media Professionals.

But can you get paid to tweet?

Ken Clark of Onward Search says "some employers are placing a very large significant emphasis on social media and they just value the profession."

When it comes to finding a social media job, a recent survey by Onward Search found Boston has the fifth-highest number of people making a living online.

Tom O'Keefe has made a career on Twitter with Boston Tweet.

Nearly 50,000 people now follow Boston Tweet to find out what's happening around the city.

O'Keefe says he's "amazed by the reach of social media. I think every business should be on it."

Some job postings will have "social media" in their title but other key words include:

  • Digital Marketing Project Manager
  • Online Marketing Manager
  • Brand Manager
  • PPC Specialist

You'll also want to make sure your skills outside of social media are good fit for an employer too.

"It is inaccurate to have the assumption that if you've got a lot of Facebook friends, that you're going to get paid a lot of money just for doing that," explains Clark.

O'Keefe has this advice for people looking to break into the business.

"You have to be passionate about it because you're going to do it every single day," he said.

That passion could pay off.

Salaries for the most experienced social media professionals can run as high as $117,000 a year.

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