A community manager is a special breed, and often times it’s challenging to find the right fit for your community. Placing your brand into the hands of a CM requires trust and a keen understanding of what it takes to bring your fans to life. Luckily, we’ve identified the top ten signs that you’ve found the chosen one.

1. They don't just set objectives, they create SMART goals.

SMART Goals = Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.

2. They know which fans to focus their time against, and why.

It can be challenging to put a strategy in place regarding how to address that latest influx of messages. A truly great CM knows who to talk to first, and how to engage them in the most successful way. It’s important to know who your Influencers and Super fans are so you can gain the most value for your time.

3. They’re actually better listeners than speakers.

By listening to conversations, you can gain valuable insight on what the community is actually wanting in terms of content, engagement and even functionality. Remember, you’re guiding the herd… not pulling them along; this means you need to know where they’d like to go.

4. They plan way ahead, but are always flexible.

The social space moves quickly and never sleeps. A prepared CM knows what they’re publishing 3 months from now, but also has a sixth sense in knowing what to do if the community’s direction changes over night.

5. They can talk to anyone like they are BFFs.

A community manager should really feel like another member of the community, just with more responsibility than others. The ability to guide a community is easiest when they view you as a community leader.

6. They are a Master of EVERYTHING.

You should be up to speed with current events, happenings, sentiment, and anything else that could affect the way your community members interact. Timing your posts and content around these insights will drive viral reach, aid in customer service efforts, and even assist in handling the occasional crisis.

7. They think FIRST, react second.

Determine what, how and when to share or whether to share at all. Having good judgment and a levelheaded attitude is what will save a brand's reputation in a time of crisis… and your job. It's important to respond quickly to things, however, it's probably more important to give yourself time to think through how something sounds before you hit send.

8. They’re really good actors…their tone can change on a dime.

While a community of young adults might appreciate short and sarcastic quips about relevant world events, a community of baby boomers might want something completely different. A good CM is able to adapt the personality of its members in a heartbeat and continues undetected.

9. They keep all balls in the air.

Multitasking, prioritizing and picking your battles wisely will keep 'em high up in the air! Take risks, experiment, push the envelope, and learn from it quickly.

10. They’ve got a huge back pocket.

It can be challenging to be the person responsible for excitement and creativity day after day. Those who master this always have the next idea ready to go. Having a deep pocket of ideas helps to foster creativity and makes you look like a genius in front of the client!Want to learn more about Community Management? Feel free to reach out to Cheristy at cheristy@socialtyze.com