How To Build A Social Media Business
FREE DOWNLOAD: Social Media Manager Must Have’s Checklist + Bonus Ways To Find Clients
FREE DOWNLOAD: Social Media Calendar Template
So, you just play on social media all day? Is social media even a career? At one point in any high school reunion, family get-together, or even a random small talk, you may hear this question being asked by people who are unfamiliar with the profession. Don’t doubt yourself, it’s a big yes!
According to job data from LinkedIn, the demand for social media jobs has climbed one thousand three hundred and fifty-seven percent (1357%) since 2010. Recently, social media managers have also become one of the highest paid digital professions out there and make high five-figure, or even upwards of six figures. With so much upside, people are flocking to score those social media jobs. There are millions of people competing for these opportunities worldwide.
If you’re a social media manager, or interested in getting started yourself, you can download my social media manager must haves checklist. It includes the must-have tools and programs you’ll need and even some bonus tips on how to find clients.
Now, if you want to stand out and get those social media opportunities, here are different tips and tricks you can use to build your social media business and career.
Equip yourself. Building a social media business is easy if you have the right tools. Bring your edge against the competition by using social media management software. Make yourself an expert in different business APIs, such as Facebook Business Manager, Power Editor, Hootsuite, Grum, Post Planner, Tweet Deck, oh my gosh, I could go on forever!
If you’re a social media manager, you’ll love the tools available for an easy and effective way of planning your weekly and monthly schedule. You can also check out my free social media calendar template. This will help in planning and scheduling your content for the month on all your different platforms to make sure that you’re on track with your strategy, and if you want other similar tools, check out my website for my free resources page to learn more about building your social media empire.
Build your own presence. For business owners and marketers, the best social media managers are the ones that have an active social media presence themselves. Although I completely understand that us social media managers are busy managing their client’s online presence, people want to judge your own active social media presence to get a feel for you too. Begin your journey by building your own presence on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and Twitter. Make sure that your profile reflects a professional bio and profile photo. Post regularly on these platforms with actual insights and knowledge. Engage and collaborate with relevant influencers in your field. Connect and be a force on your own.
Keep up with the changes. As social media is an ever-changing platform, you should always do your best to keep up and have a pulse on the latest developments and stories that will affect how you do your work. Start by subscribing to RSS feeds and blogs on the latest social media news and trends. At the same time, taking courses and securing certifications will give you an instant credibility boost. Many social media professionals take the official Hootsuite Academy and Hubspot Certifications. You can also learn and get a certificate from Facebook Blueprint, Google AdWords, Twitter Flight School, and Pinterest Propelled, among so many others. Learning and growing is an important aspect of this job. Getting ahead on this type of career demands that you are quick on your feet, and keep up with the latest and greatest.
Avoid the pitfalls. At the onset, there are different mistakes that newbies make when they start out their careers. I have definitely made my fair share of them. Some beginners undervalue their offerings. This is not a good way to start your business. Don’t fall into the trap of short-changing your services, this will hurt you eventually. Get your client agreements into a contract. Protect yourself by getting everything in writing or through email. If you don’t feel comfortable requesting the money for your services up front, it might be best to use a third-party tool, such as Upwork, that can have the money in escrow. Be an active communicator and reply to your clients as reasonably quickly as possible. Set boundaries, of course, for your own personal space, but don’t leave them hanging.
Building a social media career takes energy, creativity, and business savvy. The most important thing to remember is to always be client focused. The success of your customers will bring more business and revenue to you.
If you want more tips on how to be the best social media manager, you can download my social media manager must haves checklist. It includes the must-have tools and programs you’ll need, and even some bonus tips on how to find clients.