The post was published on April 25, 2022 and updated on May 5,2024
Information in this blog post was obtained from the HubSpot Blog, the Hootsuite Blog, and SproutSocial.com.
If you've ever dreamt of breaking free from the constraints of traditional employment and launching your own solo career in social media, then you're in the right place. Congratulations on taking the first step towards independence and self-empowerment! As a freelancer in the dynamic world of social media, you have the opportunity to carve out your own path, set your own schedule, and unleash your creativity without the confines of a traditional office setting.
But let's be honest – embarking on this journey isn't all sunshine and rainbows. Alongside the freedom and flexibility of self-employment comes the responsibility of managing the administrative and logistical aspects of running a small business. From client management to financial tracking, the road to success as a self-employed social media manager requires dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to roll up your sleeves and dive into the nitty-gritty details.
However, fear not! Despite the challenges that lie ahead, the rewards of pursuing a solo career in social media are boundless. Whether you're passionate about creating captivating content, engaging with audiences, or driving results for your clients, the opportunities for growth and fulfillment are endless. So, if you're ready to seize control of your destiny and embark on an exciting journey of self-discovery and professional success, then keep reading as we dive into the essential steps to launch your solo career in social media.
What Does a Self-Employed Social Media Manager Do?
According to Hootsuite, a freelance social media manager is: “a social media marketing expert who provides on-demand services.” Let’s break that down.
To embark on your journey as a freelance social media manager, the first step is to cultivate expertise in social media marketing. But what does that entail exactly? It means mastering the intricacies of various social media platforms and understanding how to craft compelling content that resonates with audiences. If the prospect seems daunting, fear not – there's an abundance of resources available online to guide you on your learning journey. I'll highlight some of these resources shortly, but first, let's have a pep talk.
Social media is a constantly evolving landscape. Each day brings new platform features, innovative content strategies, and technological advancements that shape the way we interact online. Embracing change is key, and it's what makes social media marketing so exhilarating. As long as you possess a thirst for knowledge and a willingness to adapt, you're well-equipped to thrive in this dynamic field.
Now that we've addressed any lingering apprehensions, let's delve into how you can kickstart your path to becoming a freelance social media expert.
Create your Business (Sole Proprietorship)
If you are planning to work for yourself, your boss (you) needs to have a way to charge their clients so that they can pay their employees (also you). I know: this seems like a runaround for something as simple as requesting a Venmo payment, but trust me, your accounting department (guess who…) will be SO happy that you set up a sole proprietorship when tax time comes around. Especially since you’ll be raking in the cash! Because the more money you make, the more important it is to keep matriculate records of cash coming in and going out. Hubspot has a great tutorial on how to set up a sole proprietorship here.
Create a Portfolio
In order to get work as a self-employed social media manager, you need to show your potential clients what you have to offer. This doesn’t always mean you need a fancy website. A pdf is often sufficient. A portfolio is like a resume. It’s a showcase of your best work in social media.
“But,” you ask, “how can I show what I’ve done for clients if I’ve never had a client?” Excellent question. First, you might be surprised at what you actually HAVE done. Pull together any marketing experience you have from your corporate jobs and emphasize the social media aspects. This could be copywriting, analytics, or scheduling. Get creative! You’re probably more equipped than you think you are.
Secondly, go take a free or inexpensive social media design class, and use your creations from that class. Canva has a several free courses that can give you a jumpstart. If you opt to pay for and use Adobe Creative Cloud (e.g. Photoshop, InDesign, Lightroom) for your design and art needs, they have many in-depth courses and tutorials that will give you all the tools you need to create great designs.
Set Your Rates
Have you heard of the economic law of supply and demand? I’m not going to ask you to take a pop quick on microeconomics, but I do want to give you a little review. You have a service (supply) that someone wants (demand). If you were the only person supplying this service, you could charge whatever you wanted! But, since there are lots of self-employed social media managers out there, and only so much business (albeit there’s a LOT of work), you need to set competitive rates. However, you also need to be able to cover your costs and make your work worth your time! This is going to take some trial and error.
According to Hootsuite, a good place to start is to charge $20-$30 per hour for your first couple of years. As you become more efficient and effective, and your services become more valuable, you can increase your prices. Expert social media marketers charge up to $250 per hour for their knowledge and insight! And frankly, with time, effort, and constant learning, I think you can get there.
Find Clients
A self-employed social media manager needs clients. And you need to start building experience. Sprout Social advises new social media freelancers to start small, with just one or two clients. This will allow you to find a routine, figure out where you need to focus your learning, and discover what a realistic rate will be for your services.
Use freelance finders like LinkedIn Service Marketplace, Fiverr, and Upwork to get yourself out there. And promote yourself and your work regularly! Treat yourself like your most important client. This will help you build your portfolio and get your name and work in front of more people.
Keep Learning
I said it at the beginning of this blog, but it deserves a second mention: in order to succeed in social media (and in marketing in general), you must be committed to constant learning! Set aside thirty minutes every day for personal development. This could mean reading a classic marketing book. This could mean taking an SEO course on Hubspot. This could mean watching a mashup of the most popular videos on YouTube from that month or week. Whatever it is, make learning a priority! This will not only keep you on top of the competition, but it will also bring adventure, fun, and growth into your job and life.
Of course, if you want to stay up to date on the latest trends and best practices for self-employed social media managers, make sure you follow SMMU on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We’re always publishing new blogs with insider tips and tricks, like this one by my colleague Taylor about refining your social media marketing skills.
Now, what are you waiting for? You got this! And we’ve got your back.
Resources
Hill, C. (2022, February 15). How to become a successful social media consultant. Sprout Social. https://sproutsocial.com/insights/social-media-consultant/
Erica, S. (2024, January 25).The Ultimate Guide to Content Creation. https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/content-creation
Wong, L. (2021, August 19). How to Make Money as a Freelance Social Media Manager. HootSuite. https://blog.hootsuite.com/freelance-social-media-manager/
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