As a social media marketer, I get asked a lot how to break into the industry. “What’s your advice for someone who wants to become a freelance social media marketer?” people love to ask.
And while I’m always happy to share my own knowledge and experiences, I thought it would be even better if I put together a more comprehensive list of resources and best practices to help you build your business as a freelance social media manager.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re interested in becoming a freelance social media marketer:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Understand the basics of social media marketing and its importance. |
| 2. Build a strong foundation in digital marketing concepts. |
| 3. Learn how to create engaging content for different platforms. |
| 4. Develop skills in data analysis to measure and optimize campaigns. |
| 5. Establish a professional online presence and portfolio. |
| 6. Network and connect with potential clients in your industry. |
| 7. Consider taking relevant courses to enhance your skillset. |
| 8. Determine your niche and target audience for specialized services. |
| 9. Set competitive rates based on your expertise and market demand. |
| 10. Focus on continuous learning and staying updated with industry trends. |
1. Learn The Basics
The first step to becoming a freelance social media marketer is to learn the basics. You don’t have to get an advanced degree in digital marketing, but you should have some understanding of what it is before you start trying to sell yourself as an expert in this field.
You should know how different kinds of marketing work, and which ones work best for which kinds of businesses.
For example, if you’re dealing with a new business that doesn’t have an established audience yet, then Facebook Ads might be their best bet–but if they’re trying to reach out specifically to Millennials or Generation Xers on Instagram instead of Baby Boomers or Gen-Zers (who tend to use Snapchat more often than any other platform), then Twitter would probably yield better results than Instagram would.
Becoming a freelance social media manager involves understanding various aspects of digital marketing. If you’re just starting out, our guide on How to Become a Freelance Social Media Marketer: A Beginner’s Guide can provide you with essential insights to get you started on the right track.
2. Networking Is Everything
Your network is your net worth when it comes to being a marketing freelancer. The more contacts you have and the more people who know what you do, the more likely it is that you’ll get recommendations for jobs and be able to build a network of clients.
Make sure to tell everyone you meet that you’re a freelance social media marketer. From your dentist to your hairdresser to your favorite barista keep up with these people on social media, and don’t be afraid to let them know what you do.
2. Find Your Niche
Lots of people say that social media marketing isn’t for everyone. And it’s true: it isn’t. Not everyone has the voice or the vision to capture the attention of an audience, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it work for you! Make sure you understand what makes your brand different from others before you start crafting social media posts or trying to build a following.
Transitioning into a role as a social media coordinator can be exciting yet challenging. Learn how to navigate the world of freelance coordination by checking out How to Succeed as a Freelance Social Media Coordinator, where you’ll discover strategies for effective management and growth.
3. Set Yourself Up For Success With A Good Business Plan
It’s important to have a clear plan for achieving your goals as a freelancer. If you want to be successful, you should set up a schedule every week where you work on growing your business, as well as your client base and hours worked. Make sure you schedule time off you need time to recharge so you can do your best work.
4. Understand Your Services
Next, figure out what services you plan on offering as a freelance social media marketer, and what prices will be reasonable for them. You need to understand exactly what you’re selling so that when people ask about it, you can give them clear answers. This is also important because if clients ask for work outside of your expertise or price range, you need to be able to tell them no without having any doubt about yourself or your business model.
If you’re wondering about the earning potential in the freelance social media industry, you’re not alone. Our article on How Much Should a Freelance Social Media Manager Earn? delves into the factors that can influence your income as a freelance social media manager and provides valuable insights for setting your rates.
5. Research Your Market
There’s already a lot of competition in the freelancer space, so it’s important to know who and what you’re up against. Check out websites like Fiverr and Upwork to see what kinds of jobs are available for freelancers and how much people are being paid for them. If you have specific skills that are in demand—social media marketing mastery, say—you’ll be able to command higher rates because your expertise is rare.
Those with more common skills will need to take another approach to get clients because they’ll be competing with far more people who have their exact skill set. You can also use these sites and others like them to connect directly with potential clients who haven’t even realized they need your services yet.
6. Start Building Your Portfolio As Soon As Possible
In the early stages of your freelance career, it may be hard to find paying clients. That’s why we recommend using sites like Upwork or TaskRabbit to find one-off jobs that help build up your portfolio with real-life examples of your work. Once you have some projects that showcase your skills and experience, it will be much easier to find paying clients.
7. Learn How To Use All Your Social Platforms
Now that you’ve decided to go freelance, it’s time to learn how to use the different social platforms. You’ll want to make sure you can create posts on all of them, respond quickly and appropriately, and deliver accurate messages on schedule.
Social media is a lot like a full-time job, so if you want to succeed at it, you need to treat it that way. You also want to make sure you do your own research on each platform—figure out what works best for your brand and who your ideal audience is.
8. Get Work Experience
Before you start freelancing, though, you’ll probably want to get some experience working in social media marketing. This is important because it will help you understand how to do things like schedule posts and identify the tone of a brand. It will also help you network with other people in the industry the more people who know about your skills, the more likely it is that you’ll get hired for freelance jobs.
To get this experience, try interning at a company that does social media marketing for other brands or try doing it for your own side business (more on this later).
Once you’ve gotten some experience under your belt, it’s time to start applying for freelance jobs! To do this, we recommend setting up profiles on freelance platforms like Clutch or Upwork these sites allow potential clients to find freelancers based on their skill set and qualifications. After creating an account with one of these sites, post a resume and some samples of your work.
Learning from the experiences of others is a great way to improve your freelance social media marketing skills. Explore the lessons shared in 15 Lessons I Learned from a Freelance Social Media Marketing Job to gain valuable perspectives and strategies for success in this dynamic field.
9. Get Your First Client
Getting your first client as a new freelance social media marketer can be intimidating for a lot of people. It’s not just about the fact that you don’t have any clients yet, either—it’s also about all the work you’ll have to do, and how that work will affect your reputation as a freelancer.
So how do you get over this hurdle? I’m here to tell you that it can be done—and it’s not as hard as you think!
First, make sure there are no spelling errors in your marketing materials (website, business cards, elevator pitch). This is an easy way to improve your chances of landing a client.
Second, don’t try to appeal to everyone at once. You can make yourself look more attractive by targeting specific types of clients or industries early on. For instance, if you’re only interested in working with local nonprofits who need help with their Facebook pages, start there!
Third, make sure your marketing materials are up-to-date and relevant. If they’re not, potential clients might not take them seriously.
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask friends and family members for referrals, Everyone has a business they love. Ask the people closest to you if they’d be willing to give your name and number to those businesses and help you get your foot in the door. One of our favorite ways to do this is during the holidays when everyone gets together with friends and family because people are in a more giving mood.
Connecting with your target audience on a deeper level is crucial for effective marketing. Discover practical tips in 15 Ways to Get into the Head of Your B2B Audience that can help you understand your audience’s needs and preferences, ultimately leading to more successful marketing campaigns.
Final Thoughts
Use the tips above to begin becoming a successful freelance social media marketer. It won’t happen overnight, but if you’re looking for an interesting and in-demand career with plenty of opportunities to grow your business, this is certainly a route worth exploring. Freelancing means that you can choose your own hours, pick your own projects, and work from home—so it’s ideal for a lot of people.
Further Reading
Becoming a Successful Freelance Social Media Manager: Learn about the essential skills and strategies needed to thrive in the world of freelance social media management.
Navigating the Freelance Social Media Market: Discover tips for standing out as a freelance social media marketer and effectively marketing your services.
The Ultimate Guide to Freelance Social Media Management: Dive into a comprehensive guide that covers everything from getting started to managing clients as a freelance social media manager.
People Also Ask
What Is A Social Media Marketer’s Daily Routine Like?
A typical day for social media marketing involves planning and developing content for your client’s social media channels, researching strategies and trends in the industry, monitoring campaign performance, and managing any community issues that may arise.
What Is The Difference Between Marketing And Social Media Marketing?
Marketing requires you to create campaigns that use customers’ needs as a starting point. You then have to develop a strategy for communicating with those customers about the product or service. Social media marketing involves building relationships with other businesses to generate brand awareness and drive traffic to your site.
Is It Possible To Become A Freelance Social Media Marketer Without A Degree?
Yes! While some companies prefer applicants with a bachelor’s degree in marketing or communication, you can easily get started by completing online courses or picking up books on the subject. There are many resources out there that you can use to learn how to become a freelance social media marketer without spending thousands on tuition.
What Is The Difference Between A Social Media Manager And A Social Media Marketer?
A social media marketing creates content for brands, while a social media manager oversees paid ads, brand reporting, and content creation. If you’re just starting out, it’s better to go with being a social media marketer.
What Are The Best Platforms For Posting Social Media Content?
Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook are the top three platforms for posting social media content. However, depending on your target audience, this could change.
How Long Does It Take To Become A Freelance Social Media Marketer?
The answer depends on how much time you have to put into marketing yourself and how much experience you have when you start. If you’re brand new to freelance writing and/or social media marketing, it will probably take about six months to establish yourself as a viable freelancer. If you already have a solid foundation of both writing experience and social media marketing experience, it could take as little as three months.
The most important thing is to get started right away. Don’t wait until you think your writing skills are “good enough.” They’ll never be good enough in your mind they’ll always sound like they could use some work to you. And that’s okay! The more experience you get, the better your writing will be. So don’t let your inner critic hold you back just jump in.
What Does A Social Media Marketer Do?
A social media marketer manages the social media profiles of companies and brands. They create, post, and manage content to promote the company or brand online. Social media marketers also interact with clients and customers online, as well as analyze data to increase engagement with followers. All of these activities are done on behalf of the company or brand they work for.
How Much Do Freelancers Make?
It depends on the specific field of work you do and how often you work. Those who freelance full-time can make much more than those who only freelance part-time. The median pay for freelancers is $20 an hour.
What Is The Best Way To Find Clients?
Once you’ve decided that you’re ready to join the freelancer community, start building up your portfolio by applying for entry-level positions with small businesses. These smaller jobs will allow you to perfect your craft and build up your portfolio, which will make it easier for you to find bigger clients down the road. You can also look for jobs online or through networking events.
How Do I Price My Services?
Pricing for freelance social media marketers depends on a few main things: what kind of work you’re doing (i.e., copywriting, full-service, etc.), how many hours you’re working per week, and what kind of rate you want to charge.
Where Should I Look For Jobs?
There are a few places online where it’s possible to find social media marketing jobs, but the most commonplace is simply on job boards like Indeed or Glassdoor. It’s also a good idea to set up notifications in Google Alerts using keywords like “social media marketing” or “social media manager.”
What Are The Benefits Of Being A Freelance Social Media Marketer?
Freelance social media marketing is a fast-growing industry. This means that there are more opportunities than ever, and you’ll have a chance to work with many different clients in different industries. Additionally, because of the nature of the work, you’ll be able to work from home and schedule your workload around other obligations.
What’s The Best Way To Market Myself As A Freelancer?
There are many ways you can market yourself as a freelancer. The most important thing is for you to show off your skills and let potential clients know what you have to offer them. You can do this through live demonstrations of your skills on social media or by creating video tutorials that teach people how to use these skills themselves.
Additionally, it’s crucial that you maintain an up-to-date portfolio of previous projects so that people can see exactly what kind of work you’re capable of doing.
What Is Social Media Marketing?
Social media marketing is the process by which marketers use online communities like Facebook or Instagram to attract new customers and promote their businesses. It involves sharing content that is relevant to your target audience on these platforms in order to raise awareness about your brand or product.
You can also use social media marketing to build relationships with your customers by interacting with them directly through comments on posts they make about you or your company’s products or services.
What Kind Of Clients Can I Find?
You can find clients from the comfort of your own home! There are many great platforms for finding work and building a client base, like Upwork, Airtasker, and Freelancer. Our favorite platform is Social Media Marketing Jobs because it’s specifically for people looking to work in social media marketing and it’s free to create a profile.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.