If your thinking about starting a social media business, there are 6 steps you’ll need to master to ultimately be successful. It may take years to gain the business knowledge to master all of these, but you can start working on them immediately.
1) Setting Up Your Social Media Business
To get your business setup you’ll have to start with the “hanging a shingle” type of activities to present yourself as a legitimate business. You’ll need a business name, a logo, a website and business cards. These don’t have to be perfect, they just have to be good enough for you to be taken seriously. Don’t waste too much time or money on these things — once you have clients and are making money you can re-evaluate.
2) Marketing Your Social Media Business
To effectively market your business you’ll want to come across as professional and organized with marketing assets that wow potential clients. Consider a brochure that outlines your services – most people don’t read these word for word, but they make you look good and explain what you do. You’ll also want a presentation and ideally a social media presence.
3) Prospecting Social Media Clients
If you build it, they won’t come. Just because you start a business doesn’t mean you’ll magically have an endless flow of clients beating down your door. You’ll want to identify businesses that are appropriate for you and get in-front of them. Finding potential clients who have money and can benefit from social media is key.
4) Getting Clients with Pitching and Proposals
Closing the deal with clients isn’t always easy. You’ll need to figure out your pricing and how you want to package your services. This is the most difficult part for most businesses – they don’t know how much to charge and what to include. Next, you’ll need to create great proposals to close deals.
5) Executing and Delivering World-Class Social Media
Once you’ve landed the client you want to keep them excited by delivering great social media marketing. Processes for setup and management are key to streamlining your communication with your clients and making it easier for you to actually do social media for a business.
6) Retaining Customers and Keeping Them Happy
Finally — keep your customers happy. Do nice things for them. Send them reports that show them your results. Keeping clients happy is a big part of your ultimate success, as they can be your best source of new business (referrals).
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