What Emily In Paris Gets Wrong About Social Media Managers

Photo: Netflix

Have you seen Emily in Paris yet? I couldn’t get past the first episode, yet the show was nominated for a Golden Globe Award. Even though they didn’t take home any awards, people (including myself!) were angry that EIP was nominated in the first place. Many took to Twitter and the ‘gram to express their frustrations about a white-centric, vain show that was highlighted over Michaela Coel’s powerful series I May Destroy You about a woman who tries to rebuild her life after being raped. Aside from the very obvious reasons why EIP shouldn't have been nominated, I can’t help but point out how inaccurate Lily Collins’ character Emily Cooper portrays the average social media manager. 

As a social media manager myself, I find it hard to believe that Emily was flown to Paris to work in social media. I barely get to go outside, let alone fly to Europe to work at a prestigious marketing agency. Here are just a few things that the controversial show gets wrong about working in social media. 

1: We don’t fall in love on the job

Social media is not sexy! We don’t fall in love on the job. It’s just a lot of time spent on our computer and phone. We rarely travel for work, unless it’s a local event. We don’t romantically run into people unless you count the friendly hello we give to our barista, the only other human we see all day. 

2: We don’t wear heels

Since I work from home, you’ll most likely see me in slippers or barefoot. 

3: We don’t post duck faces

Hello, the early aughts called. They want their kissy faces back!

4: We don’t have many picturesque opportunities

If we had the Eiffel Tower in our backyard and croissant breakfasts at the ready, then sure, we’d be taking beautiful photos for our own Instagram account and our clients’. But we’re not always on the go, which means we work with the content we have!

5: We can’t grow a social media account without a strategy

Emily seems to always be posting on the fly and racking up tons of likes and followers. But it’s not that simple! As a social media manager, I provide content creation and strategy that will help brands grow organically over time. Duck faces just won’t cut it