8 Steps to Become The Best Social Media Manager Even Without Experience

If you are looking to become a social media manager, it requires good attention to detail and an understanding of the latest trends when it comes to marketing. With online presence becoming an important aspect of business, influencers are taking the stage to promote and increase brand awareness. Based on Indeed information, experienced managers can make anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 per month with an average monthly income of $3,867.

With remote working still an exciting income source for Gen Z and young millennials, it’s no wonder demand for such jobs is still at an all-time high. According to data on LinkedIn, the demand for paid social media skills rose 116.4 percent, while the demand for Instagram skills rose 28.4 percent since the onset of the pandemic.

Social media has changed drastically over the last 3 years since the pandemic. In 2024, it seems that reels are now the only preferred way of growing online. So if you are looking to keep up with the trend on social media, you have come to the right article!

what does a social media manager do

From 100 to 10,000, all the way to millions of followers!

There are 4.9 billion social media users globally, and Demandsage forecast users to grow to over 5.85 billion by 2027. With social media typically being your first point of contact with a business, what a social media manager does is capture this traffic and convert it to potential leads.

how to become a social media manager?

With online marketing increasingly becoming the online viable source of growing any business, it’s no wonder a recent survey by Hootsuite and We Are Social showed that the average business allocates around 24% of its marketing budget to social media, with a majority of the companies surveyed spending between 11% and 50% of their total marketing budget on social media marketing.

Businesses are spending good money on marketing, how can you add value to them?

If you are starting as a freelance social media manager, there are levels of expertise required of you to increase your income and value. For example, a beginner may only be working on creating content to keep the business’s social media active. This way of creating social media content can be a great starting point but may be unsustainable.

This article should give you that answer from start to finish on starting your social media management side hustle.

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1) responsibilities of a social media manager

If you are starting this side hustle without any experience and would like to learn how to start, you can try your luck by listing your service on freelancing platforms such as Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer. These platforms allow freelancers to charge as low as $5 per service and can be a great exposure to find businesses to work with.

Or if you are lucky, you can find local businesses within your area to work with! We will talk more about that later. But if you would like to do well, here are 5 social media manager skills you need:

1. Data-Driven Decision-Making:
   • Practice using the social media software daily
   • Utilize advanced analytics tools to derive actionable insights and optimize social media performance.
   • Implement A/B testing and other advanced testing methodologies to refine strategies and improve ROI.
   • Actively pursue knowledge of emerging trends, technologies, and social media best practices.
2. Crisis Management and Reputation Building:
   • Demonstrate the ability to effectively manage crises on social media and protect the brand’s reputation.
   • Develop and implement long-term strategies for building and maintaining a positive brand image.
3. Innovative Campaigns and Trendsetting:
   • Spearheaded innovative social media campaigns that go beyond industry standards and set trends.
   • Stay ahead of emerging trends and technologies, incorporating them into campaigns to maintain a competitive edge.
4. Cross-Functional Collaboration:
   • Collaborate seamlessly with other departments such as PR, sales, and product development to ensure a cohesive brand message across all channels.
   • Work closely with influencers, industry leaders, and other external stakeholders to amplify brand reach.
5. Budget Management and ROI:
   • Effectively manage larger social media budgets, allocating resources strategically for maximum impact.
   • Demonstrate a clear understanding of ROI metrics and present measurable results to stakeholders.

These 5 skills are the basis you’ll need to get started. Let’s continue and find out how you can level up and be better in this side hustle.

2) what is a social media manager USP

The first thing businesses look at when hiring; is your credibility. While old school businesses prefer clients with a degree or Masters in Art etc, the newer generation of modern media businesses would prefer looking at past work. This means they will look at your past clients, the organic results, paid results, and growth rate.

Showcasing Your Skills: Content Creation, Scheduling, and Analytics

Have one ready at all time!

The best way to showcase your skills is to have a professional portfolio ready to be checked at all times. This could be your personal website, social media inquiry page, or even your LinkedIn page.

You will need to put yourself out there for people/businesses to pick up. And almost 100% of the time, businesses that are interested in your service would have already checked out your profile.

Therefore, take your time, probably a week or even a month. Build a strong personal portfolio showcasing your content creation, scheduling, and analytics prowess. Include diverse examples that highlight your versatility. This way, you can capture the right audience.

Case Studies: Highlighting Successful Campaigns

Don’t be shy to ask for good feedbacks!

If you have previously worked experience with social media or any related field, you have to flex those gains through your marketing menu!

Illustrate your capabilities with case studies detailing successful social media campaigns you’ve led. To add a cherry on top, keep the 5-star reviews posted at least every month to let other businesses know you are constantly working.

3) Building a Strong Personal Brand as a Social Media Professional

It’s crazy to know that some social media managers would prefer not to put themselves out there on the Internet. Maybe not everyone is looking to make additional income and if you are here., that means you are one of the few crazy ones willing to put in more effort. Congrats!

Here’s what you need to do.

Crafting Your Unique Persona in the Digital Space

• Determine your niche or expertise.
• Identify your values, passions, and unique selling points.
• Consider how you want to be perceived by your audience.

Get an understanding of what/who/how you want to support your client. Make sure that you are working in a field that you are an expert in or passionate about because this job requires long hours and practice.

Then put yourself out there!

Start using social media that you like to find your client. For most freelancers, it would be LinkedIn or freelancing service.

Use Reels

In a content creator world, it seems that reels are now the only way to truly build an audience, and it’s easy to see why!

Reels are a type of short-form content which means that the message of the video is communicated in a matter of seconds. This brief but engaging format aligns with the fast-paced lifestyle of today’s audience. Instagram prioritizes Reels content, showcasing it prominently on the main feed and the dedicated Reels tab. This increased visibility allows content to reach a broader audience beyond one’s followers, increasing the potential for discovery and engagement.

4) Mastering Key Social Media Platforms and Tools

No matter how good you become, you won’t be able to increase your income and value unless you promote yourself in the market. As a small business owner, you should be doing shoutouts now and then to promote yourself and the growth of your business.

The trouble with this is remaining consistent. It’s tough work.

Luckily, there are many ways you can automate the management of social media. Explore and master social media management tools like Hootsuite, Buffer, or Sprout Social. Efficient tools streamline your work and enhance productivity. For HustleVenture, we use tools like Tailwind are great social media management apps to try out!

In-depth knowledge of Major Platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn)

Become an expert in major social media platforms. Understand their nuances, algorithms, and best practices to tailor your content effectively.

If you want to keep up with the changes on social media, it almost goes without saying that you will need to practice and actively use the app to keep up with the latest changes. Apps like Instagram are now moving faster than ever to compete against other social media apps like TikTok and Pinterest.

5) Networking and Building Relationships in the Industry

Connect with fellow experts in online communities. Share experiences, seek advice, and stay updated on industry trends and opportunities. More than likely, you will find them on your social media, and all it takes to get to know them through connecting with them.

You could also participate in social media and marketing events. These networking conferences can open doors to collaborations, job opportunities, and industry insights since businesses are joining in to find the right talent for their business.

To increase your odds of closing a deal, you will need to optimize your LinkedIn profile. Actively connect with professionals in your industry, share valuable content, and engage in meaningful conversations to expand your network.

6) Pricing Strategies and Negotiating Contracts

Research market rates for social media management services. Be competitive with your pricing.

Price your services competitively based on your skills, experience, and the value you bring. As a general guideline, in the United States, a social media manager salaries can go anywhere from $50,000 to $82,000 per year. Mid-level managers with a few years of experience could earn between $60,000 and $80,000, while senior or highly experienced social media marketers may earn $80,000 or more, potentially exceeding six figures.

If you would like to stand out from the rest of your competitors, you will need to offer tailored packages that cater to the specific needs of your clients. Customization adds value and demonstrates your commitment to meeting individual goals. For example, you can share specific niche editing skills that you’ve learned that you may find your customer might love to try out.

Finally, learning how to negotiate is key to securing favorable contracts. This could mean all the difference between making a few extra dollars. Here’s a video by Lex Paige that shares the same concerns when giving out your pricing as a social media management service.

Once you have found the pricing strategy that works best for you, stick with it and go back to point number 6 to find new clients. Build your income until you have better time management to improve productivity.

7) Time Management and Productivity

When it comes to creating engaging reels, it may take days to create a good script, shoot the content, edit it, SEO research for captions. While some social media experts may suggest automation tools, there are dangers to using them since Instagram and other social media platforms dislike automation tools. Instagram has blocked platforms that are seen as spam or likely scam accounts with these automation tools.

While this doesn’t mean automation tools are bad per se, there are ways to improve your time management and increase productivity. Here are 3 ways to do that:

1) Hire and train talent

Hiring a social media manager who can take a loan off your shoulder is the next step in growing a business. These individuals possess the technical expertise required for effective platform management and serve as brand ambassadors, ensuring consistent brand representation and messaging.

Through strategic training, they are equipped to develop data-driven strategies, navigate crises, foster community engagement, and demonstrate tangible ROI. Their adaptability, continuous learning mindset, and cross-functional collaboration skills are instrumental in leveraging social media platforms, driving brand growth, and aligning social initiatives with broader organizational objectives, ultimately contributing to business success and audience engagement.

2) Creating Efficient Work Schedules

The perk of working this job is its remoteness it can also be a double-edged sword. We could be working more than a 9-5 job if we don’t plan our schedule correctly. And that’s dangerous especially if we are looking to provide top-notch content.

If you are running multiple social media accounts for clients, the trick to managing your time effectively is to prioritize tasks and allocate dedicated time slots for different projects.

For example, here at HustleVenture, we use time management tools like Trello or Asana to organize tasks, set deadlines, and ensure smooth workflow management.

3) Balancing Multiple Clients and Projects By niching Down

You don’t have to accept every client!

As you grow, balancing multiple clients and projects becomes crucial. The best way to do that is by niching down your skills, that way, your clients can relate to your work better and make streamlining communication a lot easier.

8) Effective Content Creation and Curation

The success of any social media strategy largely hinges on the quality, relevance, and timeliness of the content shared. Here’s why effective content creation and curation are crucial:

1. Brand Consistency:
   • Effective content creation ensures that the brand’s voice, message, and values are consistently communicated across all platforms. This consistency helps in building brand recognition and trust among the audience.
2. Engagement and Interaction:
   • Quality content sparks conversations, and encourages likes, shares, and comments, thereby increasing engagement rates. Engaged followers are more likely to become loyal customers and brand advocates.
3. Visibility and Reach:
   • Social media algorithms prioritize content that receives high engagement.
4. Establish Authority and Thought Leadership:
   • Curating and sharing relevant industry news, trends, and insights position the brand as an authority in its niche. This not only enhances credibility but also attracts a following that values the brand’s expertise.
5. Drive Traffic and Conversions:
   • Well-crafted content with clear calls-to-action (CTAs) can drive traffic to the brand’s website, landing pages, or online store. This traffic can then be converted into leads, subscribers, or customers.
6. Optimize Resources:
   • Effective curation means less work and having the power to leverage existing content, reducing the time and resources required for content creation. By repurposing and sharing relevant content from other sources, managers can maintain a consistent posting schedule without compromising on quality.
7. Stay Relevant and Updated:
   • Social media platforms are ever-evolving, with new trends, features, and changes occurring frequently. Effective content creation and curation ensure that the brand remains relevant and resonates with its audience.
8. Build Community and Trust:
   • By sharing user-generated content, testimonials, and stories, social media experts can foster a sense of community around the brand. This community-driven approach helps in building trust, loyalty, and long-term relationships with followers.
9. Measure and Analyze Performance:
   • Effective content creation goes hand-in-hand with analytics. Effective Social media campaign means tracking the performance of their content, analyzing audience behavior, and adjusting their strategy accordingly to maximize results.
10. Adapt to Platform Dynamics:

• Different social media platforms have unique dynamics, audience preferences, and content formats. Effective content creation and curation involve tailoring content to fit the specific platform, ensuring maximum impact and engagement.

Scaling Your Social Media Management Business to Six Figures

When HustleVenture first started out, we listen and implemented a lot of what Ascend Viral shared, this 2 hour step-by-step realistic guide was a clear life-saver for us running our social media business. This is why we decide that if you are able to read all the way to this page, this Youtube content is what you really need the most.

It goes true some of the hard truth that you need to listen to get good at running social media.

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