Consequently, you’ve decided to start your own business as a freelance media marketer. There are a few things you should be aware of. To begin, let me say that it is not going to be easy. Customers rarely understand the time invested in developing a solid social strategy, and the competition is tough. It is a tough gig to land.
There are some considerations to keep in mind that will improve your chances of success.
Have you ever considered working as a freelancer in Social Media Marketing?
A freelance media marketer is a professional who possesses a wide range of talents, ranging from content and copywriting to social media, search engine optimization (SEO), ad production, web design, and strategy development. Media marketers can be found all over the internet – they participate in online forums, participate in discussions on LinkedIn, publish unique information on Facebook, and do whatever they can to help their clients achieve their objectives. Marketers, in particular, should be on the lookout for cyber thieves and maintain safe connections with the rest of the world.
Simply following these tips will help to keep your online surfing safe: Use a virtual private network (VPN) to protect your online identity, make sure your software is up to date, create unique passcodes for your accounts, set up a telephone number to be contacted if you lose access to your account, and go one step further by enabling two-step authentication on your accounts.
What are the perks of working as a digital freelancer in the marketing industry?
- You can choose where you want to stay.
- Get to create your own schedule and be your own boss!
- Save both time and money on your everyday commute.
- Every day, visit a different office — you can choose from a variety of coffee shops, co-working spaces, or any other venue that simulates an office.
- Select the clients and projects on which you will concentrate your efforts.
Why wouldn’t you want to work in media marketing as a freelancer?
- There is no fixed pay – you must crunch the figures to ensure that you earn a sufficient income.
- There are no business benefits, such as medical insurance, a retirement savings plan, or a complimentary gym membership, among other things.
- Being a one-person show – accounting, writing, designing, and analysing – can be exhausting at times.
- Distractions can be found anywhere. TV Shows, beds, and food are the rule of the day.
Personality traits that are necessary for success
Successful freelancers all have certain features in common, but not everyone is suited for this type of work. Among these are:
Flexibility: Flexibility is required because this is not a 9-5 job; you will be required to work evenings and weekends, often with little or no notice. Clients are prone to changing their needs in the middle of a project. You must be able to adapt to changing circumstances and make adjustments without becoming disoriented.
Confidence: Having confidence in your abilities is essential when providing sound counsel to clients in a way that makes it evident that you know what you’re talking about. You were not paid to make broad statements about everything. They hire you to be the confident guide in the route ahead; make sure you express that confidence to your clients.
Not one to be easily deterred: You will stumble at specific tasks, but you will not be easily disheartened. Some of your clients will be dissatisfied with your work. This is a challenging market, and things will most likely not go your way all the time. However, no one has set you on fire, and you are still alive to fight another day.
However, just having suitable characteristics will not get you there. There are some things that a successful freelancer must have to be successful:
Be Organised: Make a plan ahead of time because you will be managing numerous assignments and clients simultaneously. You’ll need to know precisely where you are with each of them, as well as what needs to be performed and when it has to be done. Your clients are not paying you to allow things to fall through the cracks in your organisation.
Be able to communicate effectively with your clients: You must share with your service users so that you gain a clear grasp of their needs and describe clearly what services you can provide and why. When it comes to this industry, there is no space for misunderstandings. If a client perceives that they have not been responded to or that they have been deceived, you will lose employment and gain a reputation as an untrustworthy flake ball.
Be ruthlessly disciplined: One of the most appealing aspects of being self-employed is the ability to choose your own hours and schedule. However, without the pressure of a boss looking over your shoulder, it is all too easy to succumb to the temptation of completing the marathon in its entirety. It would be best if you were more demanding of yourself than any previous employer. Make a routine and stick to it. It will help you stay organised.
Improve yourself: Have a solid social media presence to demonstrate that you can follow your promises. People won’t trust you if they don’t believe you can find the time to “do social” for them if you can’t find the opportunity to “do social” yourself. Maintaining a professional internet presence should imply steadiness and competence. What you do for yourself is the same as what you promise your clients you would do for them, so be consistent.
How much can you make as a Freelance Media Marketing?
The answer is dependent on your level of experience, your level of faith, and the products you provide. While the pricing for Freelance Media Marketing will vary, the following is what we have seen time and time again in the industry:
New Freelance Media Marketing Managers typically charge small businesses between $250 and $500 per month, depending on their experience. That applies to every social media presence! They only provide rudimentary services, such as publishing, interacting, and tracking on their client’s behalf, in exchange for this price.
A highly experienced Freelance Social Media Manager may charge from $2,500 to $5,000 or more per month, per account, depending on their experience level. Fees for services are determined mainly by the scale of the organisation, the nature of its requirements, and the likelihood of a return on investment.
Tools that will assist you in freelancing
Work-related applications are available to help you be more productive and efficient at your place of employment. The following are three of the best:
It is possible to establish an intuitive and workable To-Do list using TeuxDeux, which can be updated from any location with internet access. It is as simple to use on your smartphone as your desktop computer, and it is incredibly economical.
UpWork
UpWork (previously ODesk) connects you with businesses looking for various freelancers to join their teams. It charges you zero to become a member, and once you begin receiving projects, you will only be charged a ten percent fee. It is accessible as an app for your smartphone device and a web-based platform for use.
Freelancers don’t have the privilege of working on a single job at a time; instead, they must be able to switch between various projects and clients throughout the day. Time, which is available as a web platform and phone application, keeps up with your busy pace, providing your plan and monitoring how you spend your time so that you may maintain control over the past, present, and possibly the future.
Do you know how much you should charge for your services?
When determining your pricing structure, consider the value you can give your clients outside of simply handling their social network accounts.
Do you have excellent project skills and the capacity to generate visually appealing graphics for your clients? Make this a factor in your pricing. The same is true if you can write website entries or take exquisite photos.
Although these skills are unrelated to media marketing, they are great additions to your resume. After you’ve established a complete detail of all the perks you can prove to your customers, you should consider how you’ll charge for your services.
Services can be charged in two ways: monthly or by the hour. Hourly charging is advantageous since it enables you to make more profits, but clients on a limited budget may be concerned about exceeding their budget. For clients, monthly payment is typically the more tempting pricing option. As a result, your clients will be able to properly budget, and you will be able to forecast precisely how much your payment will be.
We’ll explore several strategies you can begin building your freelancing Social Media Management business in the following sections. But keep in mind that this job necessitates a broad variety of skills, diverse talents, and consistent effort.
Being a social media freelancer, on the other hand, can be profitable. You can evaluate the influence you’re doing on a company’s social media exposure. If you believe that this is the profession you want, the subsequent advice will assist you in getting started.
1. Begin with a bit of budget
In terms of securing a job, having an excellent portfolio is essential. A client may be less eager to collaborate with you in the future if you do not have evidence that your efforts are producing results.
If you wish to amass a significant amount of work, try volunteering to manage social media accounts for small firms and organisations, as well as raising awareness and funds for topics that are important to you.
Offering your time and knowledge to assist social media marketers or marketing executives in their endeavours is another strategy. If you don’t already know any, you may identify social media specialists on LinkedIn and network with other professionals in your sector.
2. Participate in training and obtain certificates
To become a social media marketing specialist, you must be a marketing professional with exceptional qualities. As a self-employed individual, you will need to restructure your skillset and increase your knowledge base constantly.
Along with effective posting strategies, you’ll require knowledge of art and design, financial statistics, and SEO, among other things. Here are a few training tools that are accessible at various pricing points, ranging from free to very cheap:
Clients, as previously said, want to discover a track record of accomplishment as a freelance Social Media practitioner. Use these tools to hone your skills, but don’t neglect to incorporate them into your resume as well.
3. Learn about the reporting techniques and platforms available
When you establish a social media project, you need to ensure that it is effective and generates results. A fantastic tool can help you collect the information you require to analyse the effectiveness of an advertising campaign. You’ll want to be aware of stuff like a user’s preferences, for example:
- Age
- Background
- Career
- Interests
- Location
Although this may appear to be intrusive, the reporting systems only collect data that a client openly discloses. You can collect data from excellent social media reporting platforms such as:
- Facebook Analytics
- Pinterest Analytics
- Google Analytics
4. Monitor your social networking platforms as often as possible to keep them updated
You must maintain your own social networks if you want businesses to entrust you with theirs. How can you expect employers to trust you can increase their social media visibility if you can’t manage hashtags and only have ten Facebook page followers?
Put your words into action. The more social media followers you have, the better it will be to operate in digital marketing. Take ownership of your business as an influencer to demonstrate that you can do what you promote.
5. Obtain client testimonials
When you’ve completed your project, make an effort to receive a shoutout from your boss. They may be able to boost your image significantly. Positive feedback from another company or start-up may be the decisive factor in acquiring a potential client. By expanding on the excellent work you’ve previously done, you can dramatically boost your clientele base.
As a Social Media Manager, you will be in charge of several tasks. You will not be capable of handling an endless amount of clients at the same time. Testimonials assist you in establishing your brand image to attract a small number of high-ticket consumers rather than a large number of low-ticket ones.
6. Maintain the most recent advancements in the business
Make an effort to receive a referral once you have done your work. They could boost your credibility significantly. A positive review from another company or start-up could be the decisive factor in gaining a new client. Build on the excellent job you’ve already done to expand your client base.
A Social Media manager’s obligations are enormous, and you will not be able to manage an infinite number of clients. Testimonials assist you in developing your image to acquire a few high-ticket consumers rather than many smaller ones.
7. Make a boundary between your personal and professional finances
In the case of freelancers, it’s simple to blend personal and professional posts under the same account, which is especially true if you’re attempting to advance and progress in your chosen area. Suppose you’re a musician, it would seem acceptable to post new music with postings on how to master new software or approaches for making brand-new tracks.
The effectiveness of such a technique is questionable. In many cases, customers aren’t interested in learning about industry-specific jargon or the challenges you’re experiencing as a freelancer. Although it may seem cynical, many social media users are only interested in interesting material and nothing else.
It is feasible to find two different answers to this problem. You may always rephrase your posts to make them more intriguing and engaging to read. If you’re an artist looking to purchase new brushes, you might create a post detailing which meetings are the most appropriate for your particular style.
On the other hand, writing such in-depth material is challenging and can take a significant amount of time. It is also not assured that your followers will find this information to be of interest to them. A more straightforward alternative is to create distinct social media profiles for your personal and business activities on different platforms. You’ll be able to provide a significant choice to your followers regarding the type of content they wish to receive from you in this manner.
8. Promote yourself regularly
Because social media is usually free of payment channels, you can promote yourself to a large audience. Increase your visibility by putting up more effort than is currently possible. You can cross-promote your channels across a variety of different platforms.
Additionally, it may be beneficial to collaborate with other writers or freelancers to attract an audience with similar interests to one’s own. Data analytics tools such as Google Analytics will reveal which platforms are more popular and, thus, more efficient for your business operations.
A disproportionate amount of promotion, on the other hand, can deliberately steer buyers away from your company’s products or services. The most effective technique is a combination of paid advertising and educational content.
Consider the following example: if you’re a freelance writer, you may send promotional blogs sharing writing techniques or explaining how your workflow is structured. According to the research, customers like being presented with a tangible service offering and being actively involved in its consumption.
It’s also a good idea to categorise all of your social media content into two categories: giveaways and instructional articles. ‘Freebies’ could be given away as part of a paid advertisement campaign, for example. Using Instagram as an example, each promoted post could include a discount code that offers your products or services a special offer. Understandably, some people find advertisements on social media feeds to be fundamentally annoying.
With this strategy, you may reduce customer frustration while simultaneously boosting the amount of consumer involvement and satisfaction. Conversely, making your advertising content enigmatic or purposefully imprecise in an attempt to ‘go viral,’ as opposed to being straightforward, is strongly discouraged.
The tactic has been criticised as being overdone, as it is simple to remove any adverts that do not provide any genuine value from one’s news feed.
9. Participate in a more extensive range of activities
You can also promote yourself indirectly by participating in discussions on topics relevant to your expertise and answering the questions that arise. Look for possible clients in the comments section of other postings about your subjects or by searching for hashtags on social media. You address their inquiries or at least inform them of your existence will demonstrate your professionalism to clients.
Additionally, the way social media platforms create their algorithms emphasises this. Social media platforms such as Instagram and Twitter, for example, give preference to accounts that participate in conversations with other people and whose comments garner the most “likes.” For a long time, social media marketing revolved around creating educational and exciting content for users.
It is not always necessary to provide extensive and insightful responses to other people’s postings in the comments section. Most of the time, you can offer positive feedback noting whatever aspects of other freelancers’ works you like or what you have learned from observing your colleagues.
Customer interest in your own account should increase as a result of this, as should interest from other experts in the same field of competence. While organic growth is a more time-consuming approach to getting new followers, it may be essential to develop a network of freelancers with whom you are familiar.
The Demand for Social Media Experts is Growing
Local businesses are in desperate need of social media managers that work on a freelance basis. Even though social media has been available since 1999, it is still a relatively fresh territory for marketers to explore. Furthermore, with more than half of Americans using social media, businesses recognise the importance of having a social media presence to expand their brand.
More to the point, there are numerous free tools available on the internet to learn social media marketing, so you don’t need a marketing degree to get started with this side business. All it takes is time and devotion to master the craft.
Your business strategy should include the following elements in its first iteration:
- What your business objectives are for the next three months, six months, and twelve months;
- Approximately how much money you expect to earn during these months
- How do you intend to achieve your financial objectives?
Begin with a small aim for your three-month period. Plan to earn $500 a month at the start, and then gradually increase your earnings as you get into the swing of things and can accept more clients.
Make a plan for how you want to achieve your objectives. Define how many clients you’ll need to take on to fulfill your income objectives for the next three, six, and twelve months, as well as how much you’ll need to charge for your services.
What details should you include in your marketing email?
In your initial contact with potential clients, don’t simply inquire whether or not you can handle their company’s social media accounts.
As an alternative, start with praise, then outline the advantages of social media marketing before asking for a face-to-face or phone appointment to discuss the matter further.
What do you leave out of your list? There is a price tag. If your prospective client sees a figure before hearing about the numerous advantages of social media and the scope of your services, there is a reasonable probability that they will experience sticker shock. Keep this conversation until after you’ve gotten them interested.
What Should Be Included in the Contract?
Before starting, draft a contract and have your client sign it as soon as you sign them. You should clarify your services, costs, any specifics that have been agreed upon, such as the sort of content to be published and how and when you want to be compensated, among other things, in this contract.
In the long run, this will save you a lot of time and aggravation. When you’re happy with the results, ask your current referral to email you feedback about their experience. When approaching potential clients, use this to your advantage, and you’ll be earning $800 (or more) each month handling social media.
