Have you ever wondered how people get paid to manage social media accounts? Have you ever wondered how some people make money on social media? If yes, then this is going to be a very beneficial read for you.
Would you like to make money managing social media accounts? Chances are, you’ve heard of social media, but many people aren’t sure how they can use it to their advantage, or they think it’s all too “sketchy”. There is nothing shady about social media. If used correctly, you can set up multiple streams of income and work from home part-time or full-time.
How To Become a Social Media Manager
Unlike a lot of jobs today, you do not need a degree to be a social media manager. Though I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Media Arts and Graphic Design, I have never once been asked by a client if I have a degree.
A lot of the tools you need to become a freelance social media manager can quickly be learned online through platforms like Skillshare or YouTube.
There are also a lot of different courses created by successful social media managers that you can take to make sure that you have all the pieces necessary to start your business.
Though I studied communications and took a few courses on social media while at university, I still felt that it was worth it to invest $50 into an online course by Latasha James to make sure that I had all the right ideas about what is needed for working with clients.
For instance, you need to have an onboarding process, a way to get passwords, a contract, a method for your client to pay you, and also a social media scheduling tool so that you don’t have to post every day manually.
There are a wide variety of platforms that freelance social media managers can be in charge of. Most will choose to be a general manager, meaning that they can help out with Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
However, if you want to be seen as a specialist (which also allows you to charge a lot more money because you’d be a potential expert in your field) then consider focusing on only one platform.
Choose the platform that you know best and that you’ve seen the most success with and sell your services with that knowledge in mind.
To break it down, here are easy, actionable steps on how to become a social media manager:
- Take an online course or watch a free video on what social media managers do and how they do it.
- Create your website with a portfolio showcasing past success on social media. This could even be for your own blog. The website doesn’t have to be fancy. Start your website using this link and receive a free course on how to set it up the right way.
- Plan out your packaged services and your rates. Are there specific platforms or niches that you’ll be focusing on? Have a look at those in your industry and see what the going rate is.
- Come up with a client onboarding process. Consider how you will receive passwords and set boundaries with a client such as the hours you’ll be available for them to reach out to you.
What Is The Job Description?
Honestly, the job description of a social media manager can vary depending on your skillset, and the needs of your client. However, there are some things in general that most freelance social media managers do for their client’s accounts.
The primary purpose of a social media manager is to represent a brand utilizing the brand’s voice and colour scheme across social media channels to connect with a potential audience, boost sales, and increase overall reach.
Of course, the overall goals for each client’s account might be different.
A freelance social media manager is also in charge of writing out the captions for each social channel, which can vary depending on each platform. For instance, it’s not a great idea to write the same caption on Instagram that you’d write on LinkedIn because there are different types of users on each platform.
One of the most time-consuming parts of the job description of a social media manager is planning out the content for the whole month through a content calendar. This is usually done a month in advance and then scheduled out ahead of time.
Freelance social media managers are also usually the first point of contact when it comes to customer service, even though you may not initially think that!
Many people reach out to businesses through direct messaging on each social media platform, so a social media manager has to be prepared to quickly respond with accurate information in case a customer has a concern.
The job description of a social media manager usually also includes some form of content creation, unless your client already has its own content that you can use already.
Content creation can consist of taking photos, creating social media videos, designing graphics, and even repurposing content from your client’s blog or other channels they post on.
The last thing that a social media manager does is provide reports at the end of each month to let the client know exactly how their social media campaigns did for the previous month. This is essential because sometimes you’ll find out that specific posts resonated with your client’s audience while others didn’t.
Where to Find Social Media Management Work
If you’re wondering how to become a freelance social media manager, know that once you have the knowledge and skills, it’s relatively easy to find a client online!
This is a position that is in high demand, mainly because it can be time-consuming for smaller companies to also focus on their social media presence in addition to everything else that they have going on.
Goats on the Road Posts » More Travel Jobs » How To Make Money As A Freelance Social Media Manager
By Krystianna Pietrzak
Posted 18 Oct, 2020 | No comments
Posted in: More Travel Jobs
Working from home or while travelling is the ultimate dream for many people, including myself. One such job that allows you to do this and work on your own schedule is by being a freelance social media manager.
Social media is one of the top ways that businesses, bloggers, and YouTubers can connect with their audience, and believe it or not, many of these business owners don’t have the time or energy to focus on their social media.
That’s where a freelance social media manager comes in!
For a long time, I was wondering exactly how to become a freelance social media manager, but after graduating from university a few months ago, I decided to finally take the leap and learn more about this high-paying online job.
Over the past few months, I’ve managed to make a few thousand dollars just by being a freelance social media manager.
Here’s my expert advice and information on how to make money as a freelance social media manager!
Table of Contents
- What is A Social Media Manager?
- How To Become a Social Media Manager
- What Is The Job Description?
- Where to Find Social Media Management Work
- Salary of a Social Media Manager
- Tips For Being Successful as a Social Media Manager
- Pros and Cons of Working as a Freelance Social Media Manager
- Conclusion
What is A Social Media Manager?
Since I started in this line of work, I’m consistently asked: “what is a social media manager?” Well, it’s quite simple!
A freelance social media manager helps to craft content, write captions, gain followers, and ultimately manage a variety of social media accounts.
Some freelance social media managers will focus more specifically in a specific niche, such as working with only travel bloggers or sports businesses, while others are more general.
Another way to be in a specific niche is to manage only a certain social media account — such as Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, etc.
Social media managers also sometimes delve into other areas of work in order to curate content for the accounts they manage. For example, I’ve helped to create short videos, taken photos, created graphics, and more for some of the clients that I’ve worked with.
How To Become a Social Media Manager
Unlike a lot of jobs today, you do not need a degree to be a social media manager. Though I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Media Arts and Graphic Design, I have never once been asked by a client if I have a degree.
A lot of the tools you need to become a freelance social media manager can quickly be learned online through platforms like Skillshare or YouTube.
There are also a lot of different courses created by successful social media managers that you can take to make sure that you have all the pieces necessary to start your business.
Though I studied communications and took a few courses on social media while at university, I still felt that it was worth it to invest $50 into an online course by Latasha James to make sure that I had all the right ideas about what is needed for working with clients.
For instance, you need to have an onboarding process, a way to get passwords, a contract, a method for your client to pay you, and also a social media scheduling tool so that you don’t have to post every day manually.
There are a wide variety of platforms that freelance social media managers can be in charge of. Most will choose to be a general manager, meaning that they can help out with Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
However, if you want to be seen as a specialist (which also allows you to charge a lot more money because you’d be a potential expert in your field) then consider focusing on only one platform.https://206c83ec87beaf6a8a517ec6ca088c8c.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
Choose the platform that you know best and that you’ve seen the most success with and sell your services with that knowledge in mind.
To break it down, here are easy, actionable steps on how to become a social media manager:
- Take an online course or watch a free video on what social media managers do and how they do it.
- Create your website with a portfolio showcasing past success on social media. This could even be for your own blog. The website doesn’t have to be fancy. Start your website using this link and receive a free course on how to set it up the right way.
- Plan out your packaged services and your rates. Are there specific platforms or niches that you’ll be focusing on? Have a look at those in your industry and see what the going rate is.
- Come up with a client onboarding process. Consider how you will receive passwords and set boundaries with a client such as the hours you’ll be available for them to reach out to you.
What Is The Job Description?
Honestly, the job description of a social media manager can vary depending on your skillset, and the needs of your client. However, there are some things in general that most freelance social media managers do for their client’s accounts.
The primary purpose of a social media manager is to represent a brand utilizing the brand’s voice and colour scheme across social media channels to connect with a potential audience, boost sales, and increase overall reach.https://206c83ec87beaf6a8a517ec6ca088c8c.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
Of course, the overall goals for each client’s account might be different.
A freelance social media manager is also in charge of writing out the captions for each social channel, which can vary depending on each platform. For instance, it’s not a great idea to write the same caption on Instagram that you’d write on LinkedIn because there are different types of users on each platform.
One of the most time-consuming parts of the job description of a social media manager is planning out the content for the whole month through a content calendar. This is usually done a month in advance and then scheduled out ahead of time.
Freelance social media managers are also usually the first point of contact when it comes to customer service, even though you may not initially think that!
Many people reach out to businesses through direct messaging on each social media platform, so a social media manager has to be prepared to quickly respond with accurate information in case a customer has a concern.
The job description of a social media manager usually also includes some form of content creation, unless your client already has its own content that you can use already.
Content creation can consist of taking photos, creating social media videos, designing graphics, and even repurposing content from your client’s blog or other channels they post on.https://206c83ec87beaf6a8a517ec6ca088c8c.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
The last thing that a social media manager does is provide reports at the end of each month to let the client know exactly how their social media campaigns did for the previous month. This is essential because sometimes you’ll find out that specific posts resonated with your client’s audience while others didn’t.
Where to Find Social Media Management Work
If you’re wondering how to become a freelance social media manager, know that once you have the knowledge and skills, it’s relatively easy to find a client online!
This is a position that is in high demand, mainly because it can be time-consuming for smaller companies to also focus on their social media presence in addition to everything else that they have going on.
Here are some great platforms for finding work jobs:
1. Upwork
I found my very first social media management gig through Upwork, so I can’t recommend this platform enough! On Upwork, there are tons of individuals, bloggers, YouTubers, podcasters, and business owners alike who are asking for help with their social media channels.
When applying to jobs on Upwork, make sure to account for the fact that the platform does take 20% of your invoice, and be sure to apply to positions that have less than ten applications to increase your chances of being chosen.
2. Flexjobs
Flexjobs is another excellent place to find freelance social media manager gigs. This platform has tons of new positions posted daily, all of which are jobs that allow you to work from home, so it’s a great place to get started and begin finding potential clients.
Plus, FlexJobs hand screens every single posting to ensure there is no spam or ads — just legitimate companies and job offers. Learn more about Flexjobs here and sign up using promo code NOMAD to receive 30% off your membership.
3. Fiverr
On Fiverr, you as the freelancer get to create packaged services and post them. Then, interested clients will purchase the service from you, and then you get started with your work.
Similar to Upwork, Fiverr does take a percentage of your invoice, but it’s perfect when you’re just starting on your freelance social media manager journey. Use it as a stepping stone to get some great testimonials to use on your website for future clients!
4. Freelancer
Freelancer is a website where clients post jobs for things that they need help with, which sometimes is social media management.
Goats on the Road Posts » More Travel Jobs » How To Make Money As A Freelance Social Media ManagerBy Krystianna Pietrzak
Posted 18 Oct, 2020 | No comments
Posted in: More Travel Jobs
Working from home or while travelling is the ultimate dream for many people, including myself. One such job that allows you to do this and work on your own schedule is by being a freelance social media manager.
Social media is one of the top ways that businesses, bloggers, and YouTubers can connect with their audience, and believe it or not, many of these business owners don’t have the time or energy to focus on their social media.
That’s where a freelance social media manager comes in!
For a long time, I was wondering exactly how to become a freelance social media manager, but after graduating from university a few months ago, I decided to finally take the leap and learn more about this high-paying online job.
Over the past few months, I’ve managed to make a few thousand dollars just by being a freelance social media manager.
Here’s my expert advice and information on how to make money as a freelance social media manager!
Table of Contents
- What is A Social Media Manager?
- How To Become a Social Media Manager
- What Is The Job Description?
- Where to Find Social Media Management Work
- Salary of a Social Media Manager
- Tips For Being Successful as a Social Media Manager
- Pros and Cons of Working as a Freelance Social Media Manager
- Conclusion
What is A Social Media Manager?
Since I started in this line of work, I’m consistently asked: “what is a social media manager?” Well, it’s quite simple!
A freelance social media manager helps to craft content, write captions, gain followers, and ultimately manage a variety of social media accounts.
Some freelance social media managers will focus more specifically in a specific niche, such as working with only travel bloggers or sports businesses, while others are more general.
Another way to be in a specific niche is to manage only a certain social media account — such as Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, etc.
Social media managers also sometimes delve into other areas of work in order to curate content for the accounts they manage. For example, I’ve helped to create short videos, taken photos, created graphics, and more for some of the clients that I’ve worked with.
How To Become a Social Media Manager
Unlike a lot of jobs today, you do not need a degree to be a social media manager. Though I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Media Arts and Graphic Design, I have never once been asked by a client if I have a degree.
A lot of the tools you need to become a freelance social media manager can quickly be learned online through platforms like Skillshare or YouTube.
There are also a lot of different courses created by successful social media managers that you can take to make sure that you have all the pieces necessary to start your business.
Though I studied communications and took a few courses on social media while at university, I still felt that it was worth it to invest $50 into an online course by Latasha James to make sure that I had all the right ideas about what is needed for working with clients.
For instance, you need to have an onboarding process, a way to get passwords, a contract, a method for your client to pay you, and also a social media scheduling tool so that you don’t have to post every day manually.
There are a wide variety of platforms that freelance social media managers can be in charge of. Most will choose to be a general manager, meaning that they can help out with Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
However, if you want to be seen as a specialist (which also allows you to charge a lot more money because you’d be a potential expert in your field) then consider focusing on only one platform.
Choose the platform that you know best and that you’ve seen the most success with and sell your services with that knowledge in mind.
To break it down, here are easy, actionable steps on how to become a social media manager:
- Take an online course or watch a free video on what social media managers do and how they do it.
- Create your website with a portfolio showcasing past success on social media. This could even be for your own blog. The website doesn’t have to be fancy. Start your website using this link and receive a free course on how to set it up the right way.
- Plan out your packaged services and your rates. Are there specific platforms or niches that you’ll be focusing on? Have a look at those in your industry and see what the going rate is.
- Come up with a client onboarding process. Consider how you will receive passwords and set boundaries with a client such as the hours you’ll be available for them to reach out to you.
What Is The Job Description?
Honestly, the job description of a social media manager can vary depending on your skillset, and the needs of your client. However, there are some things in general that most freelance social media managers do for their client’s accounts.
The primary purpose of a social media manager is to represent a brand utilizing the brand’s voice and colour scheme across social media channels to connect with a potential audience, boost sales, and increase overall reach.https://206c83ec87beaf6a8a517ec6ca088c8c.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
Of course, the overall goals for each client’s account might be different.
A freelance social media manager is also in charge of writing out the captions for each social channel, which can vary depending on each platform. For instance, it’s not a great idea to write the same caption on Instagram that you’d write on LinkedIn because there are different types of users on each platform.
One of the most time-consuming parts of the job description of a social media manager is planning out the content for the whole month through a content calendar. This is usually done a month in advance and then scheduled out ahead of time.
Freelance social media managers are also usually the first point of contact when it comes to customer service, even though you may not initially think that!
Many people reach out to businesses through direct messaging on each social media platform, so a social media manager has to be prepared to quickly respond with accurate information in case a customer has a concern.
The job description of a social media manager usually also includes some form of content creation, unless your client already has its own content that you can use already.
Content creation can consist of taking photos, creating social media videos, designing graphics, and even repurposing content from your client’s blog or other channels they post on.https://206c83ec87beaf6a8a517ec6ca088c8c.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
The last thing that a social media manager does is provide reports at the end of each month to let the client know exactly how their social media campaigns did for the previous month. This is essential because sometimes you’ll find out that specific posts resonated with your client’s audience while others didn’t.
Where to Find Social Media Management Work
If you’re wondering how to become a freelance social media manager, know that once you have the knowledge and skills, it’s relatively easy to find a client online!
This is a position that is in high demand, mainly because it can be time-consuming for smaller companies to also focus on their social media presence in addition to everything else that they have going on.
Here are some great platforms for finding work jobs:
1. Upwork
I found my very first social media management gig through Upwork, so I can’t recommend this platform enough! On Upwork, there are tons of individuals, bloggers, YouTubers, podcasters, and business owners alike who are asking for help with their social media channels.https://206c83ec87beaf6a8a517ec6ca088c8c.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
When applying to jobs on Upwork, make sure to account for the fact that the platform does take 20% of your invoice, and be sure to apply to positions that have less than ten applications to increase your chances of being chosen.
See Also: How to Make Money On Upwork – An Expert’s Review
2. Flexjobs
Flexjobs is another excellent place to find freelance social media manager gigs. This platform has tons of new positions posted daily, all of which are jobs that allow you to work from home, so it’s a great place to get started and begin finding potential clients.
Plus, FlexJobs hand screens every single posting to ensure there is no spam or ads — just legitimate companies and job offers. Learn more about Flexjobs here and sign up using promo code NOMAD to receive 30% off your membership.
See Also: How To Find Legitimate Remote Jobs with FlexJobs
3. Fiverr
On Fiverr, you as the freelancer get to create packaged services and post them. Then, interested clients will purchase the service from you, and then you get started with your work.
Similar to Upwork, Fiverr does take a percentage of your invoice, but it’s perfect when you’re just starting on your freelance social media manager journey. Use it as a stepping stone to get some great testimonials to use on your website for future clients!
See Also: How To Make Money On Fiverr – The Complete Guide
4. Freelancer
Freelancer is a website where clients post jobs for things that they need help with, which sometimes is social media management.
All you have to do is apply as you would with a regular job and see if you get chosen. This platform is pretty similar to Upwork in that you place your bid (or rates, usually hourly or fixed price) which then opens up a potential client connection.
5. Facebook Groups
Believe it or not, but Facebook groups are a great place to start networking and meeting other people who could potentially be your clients.
I’m in a few groups for small business owners in my area, which allows me to connect with people in my neighbourhood who might require my services.
Often, people in these groups will even put out a post asking if anyone knows someone who might be interested in helping out with social media or other jobs that you’re qualified to do. Then, you can quickly introduce yourself and your services!
Salary of a Social Media Manager
Though the salary of a social media manager truly varies, according to PayScale.com, the average is approximately $51,000 per year. This, of course, can change depending on a few factors: your education, skill level, duties, length of contract, and the client or company.
As a freelance social media manager, you can essentially choose whether you want to use fixed pricing or hourly pricing. I’m here to tell you that it’s better to do fixed pricing so that there are no surprises at the end of your contract.
For fixed pricing, you’ll want to create different package levels for your social media management services. For example, here are what my packages look like that I currently offer:
- Package 1: $350 a month for four posts a week on one platform
- Package 2: $500 a month for three posts a week on two platforms
- Package 3: $650 a month for three posts a week on three platforms
Of course, I include different benefits for each tier, so package 3 includes inbox management on platforms, while package one doesn’t.
These are all things to consider when you create your fixed price services. And, make sure that you also think about how many hours it will approximately take you to complete the tasks.
How Do Social Media Managers Make Money?
A social media manager, sometimes referred to as a social media director, earns money online from the clients and businesses they serve. If they work for a company, they’ll typically earn a salary. If they’re self-employed, they likely charge an hourly, monthly, or per-project rate.
Self-employed social media managers, also known as social media consultants, most commonly offer different levels of monthly service packages. The lowest level might include posting on social media three to four times a week, while the largest package might include daily posting on social media across multiple platforms.
In the photo below, you can see how the social media marketing company, Brandit360, breaks down its pricing:
These packages are typically offered on a monthly basis. Additionally, many social media managers request clients work with them for a minimum of three to six months to allow time for measurable improvement.
How Much Does a Social Media Manager Make?
According to PayScale, the average social media manager’s salary is $49,000 a year. In high cost of living areas like New York City, the average salary is around $57,000 a year.[1]
If you own your own social media management business, your income is only limited by the number of clients you’re able to land. As your company grows, you can hire virtual assistants and outsource tasks, becoming your own agency.
You can always get on the job training as a salaried employee, then branch off to create your own business when you’re ready.
What Does a Social Media Manager Do?
Because the position is still relatively new, the required social media skills vary depending on the job. It’s helpful to have some type of marketing, business, or communications background.
Typical social media marketing manager duties and qualifications include:
- Planning and scheduling content across various social media platforms
- Analyzing, tracking, and reporting on campaign performance
- Looking for breakout opportunities on growing social networks
- Working with influencers and other brands to drive lead generation and enhance business visibility
It’s also helpful to have graphic design knowledge, since you might have to create graphics for social media posts, especially if you work for a small company.
Beyond merely managing social profiles, you’ll be expected to report on your results. Business owners won’t be highly motivated to keep paying for your services unless you can justify your worth. Here’s an example social media manager checklist and tentative reporting schedule:
Having a strong command of the English language is also important, as you might be in charge of responding to messages and managing a community.
Tools to Use
To be a successful social media manager, you must be organized. I’m talking spreadsheets, planners, the whole nine yards. It’s also helpful if you’re decent with time management. There are tools you can use to make your life as a social media manager easier.
- HootSuite: A free program (with a $9.99/mo upgrade available) for scheduling tweets, Facebook posts, etc. This also works for posts in Facebook groups, which is great.
- Cochedule: A content marketing editorial calendar for WordPress, $10/mo.
- PicMonkey: A free photo editing tool (with a monthly upgrade available), PicMonkey makes my life easier all around. There are several PicMonkey tutorials on The SITS Girls blog.
Conclusion
If you want to make money online, managing social media accounts can be a great first step. Whether you do it for a company, or for specific brands and products, social media managers work remotely and from home.