Launchest

How to start a social media marketing business.

How to Hire Your Social Media Marketing Team

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Depending on how big you want your social media business to grow, at some point you are going to need to consider hiring a team. You’ll also need to manage that team. It takes time and energy to manage people, so it’s important to know your options and choose the one that best fits your needs.

Here are three hiring options to consider when building your social media marketing team:

  • Outsource to freelancers. This can be a great first step in building a team. If you’ve never managed people, you will need to learn how to direct them, hold them accountable, and be a productive and positive authority figure. Managing freelancers will allow you to hone those skills on a smaller scale because you won’t have the added stress of managing benefits, hours etc.
  • Hire part-time contractors to “try before you buy.” While business is growing, you’ll need to delegate tasks so you don’t get overwhelmed or over capacity, but you don’t need the extra overhead, plus cash flow may not be steady enough yet to justify a full-time position. Part-time contractors can be a great solution as they can get a job done, and if it works out you can hire them full-time. If they aren’t a good fit, you can save a lot of hurt feelings and awkward moments by simply thanking them and telling them you’ll call if another project comes up that is a good fit for them.

  • Hire full-time employees when cash flow is consistent, and the workload justifies it. Don’t hire your best friend because you think it would be fun to work together. That almost never works out. Hiring quality people is critical to success, and also often comes with a higher cost. Only hire when the workload is there to support it, and they are an asset to your business vs. a liability.

No matter what the size of your team, you will need to account for time spent managing them individually, as well as conducting team meetings.

Once you consider all of the costs and benefits of each option, you’ll be able to make a smarter decision about the direction that’s right for your company.

Have you tried one or more of these options and have an experience you’d like to share?

How To Get New Clients For Your Social Media Business

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The process of getting clients for your social media business takes time, and it never stops. You must be prepared to actively network, prospect, send out proposals, and close new business. Consider the time required for these prospecting activities:

  • Networking is one of the best ways to build relationships. There’s something to be said about a good old-fashioned in-person handshake and meeting. When you put yourself out there, people start to know who you are. You need to build awareness, and networking is one of the best ways to get in front of your target audience.
  • Offer a free presentation on social media to a local business group. This can build awareness and credibility for your business. Fast track this idea and sign up HERE for Launchest. We’ve already built the presentations (plus a WEALTH of additional materials and tools to help build your business) so all you need to do is add your logo and get to work!
  • Build an active presence online. Not only will prospective clients expect you to “walk the talk” but online visibility can drive a significant amount of new business. Plan to spend time each week promoting your business online through your website, social media, and more.

Whether you’re building a freelance side hustle or a social media agency, understand the time it takes for prospecting and build this into your day to day activities so you’re always working on building your business.

Why You Need Social Media Training + Experience

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If you have or are considering a career in social media, proper training and experience is critical. You need to start with a solid skill set that comes from formal training, often found in accredited certification programs. You also need a plan to stay current with the ever-changing industry or you will lose business to someone who’s just a little bit smarter or learned something new just a little faster than you did.

To have a successful career in social media, do these three things:

  • Get Social Media Certified. Boot Camp Digital’s Online Social Media Certification program is 40+ hours of online digital marketing classes and great for people who are self-disciplined and like to work at their own pace, on their own time. This robust online course teaches you how to turn ideas into action and get better results faster. Boot Camp Digital also offers an intense 4 day Live Boot Camp in 4 cities, which is a great fit for people who learn more in a classroom environment and want to get certified in just 4 days.
  • Keep up with trends. With access to the right resources you can keep up with the latest and greatest in social media updates and news by spending only about an hour per month. Boot Camp Digital has a Digital Marketing Insiders Group for social media pros to stay up-to-date.
  • Sharpen your skills. Be active on social media for your own brand, work on client projects, and if you’re just starting out in social media, consider taking on a pro-bono or low-fee client to build your portfolio. This can take as much time as you have to dedicate to it. The more you do, the better you’ll get so just get started!

The formula for success as a social media marketer is to always be learning and improving.

3 best business models for a social media marketing agency?

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So you want to be a social media marketer, and be in business for yourself? Awesome! This is an exciting and attainable dream, if you have the right ambition and the right skill set. It’s also important to understand the best business models for a social media marketing agency so you can choose the type of business that is right for you.

First, you should be armed with a great skill set. You need to walk the talk. An online Social Media Certification can get you the training you need to successfully execute social media strategies. When you are skilled at social media marketing, doors of opportunity start to open.

There are many ways to create a social media marketing business, but it basically falls into one of three business models:

  • Freelancer – Are you just starting out and you need to get some clients? Do you want to supplement your income by adding some freelance work to your plate? Are you looking to start offering social media services for passion and profit? There are a multitude of opportunities for social media freelancers. You can work when and where you want while working in one of the most interesting and fastest growing areas of marketing.
  • Small Business – Almost 90% of businesses in the US use social media marketing for their business, and they are investing more of their budgets in social media marketing. This is a clear indication that there is a tremendous opportunity and plenty of work to go around. Starting a boutique social media business is a smart idea and can be the dream job you’ve always wanted. You can become an entrepreneur and build a stable business offering social media.
  • Empire – If you like to dream big, building a social media empire is a dream that you can bring to reality. The sky’s the limit so if you are an all-in, big-hustle type of person, you can build a social media marketing business as big as your dreams will let you! You can create a scalable agency that services a variety of clients efficiently and effectively while growing profitability.

There’s no argument that there is opportunity for social media marketers. But the key to being successful is knowledge and dedication.

Be realistic about the amount of time, effort, and expected results of going into business for yourself so that you can choose the social media marketing agency business model that is right for you and your aspirations.

Are you considering going into business for yourself? Share your aspirations in the comments below!

What Is A Successful Social Media Marketer?

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Successful social media marketers share certain traits. But what does it really mean to be successful? To be a success, you need:

  • Social Media Skills: Successful marketers know the ins and outs of social media as a result of training and experience. They deliver results for their clients because they have the skill set and knowledge.
  • Determination, Drive and Discipline: Effective social media marketers are driven to succeed and have a can-do attitude. They are determined to be the best at what they do, and they have the discipline to focus on the tasks that produce the best results.
  • Passion: Successful social media marketers have passion about what they do and who they work with. They love what they do, and the proof is in the results.
  • Business Acumen: A good business sense is developed through business knowledge, a strong management style and leadership skills. Successful marketers also know how to run a business effectively.
  • Sales Assets and Skills: Successful social media marketers have the skills and assets to successfully sell their services. They have great proposals and packages to win new clients. When they talk to businesses, they focus on how they can help the client.
  • Client Management: Successful marketers have workflows, systems and processes to manage clients and keep them happy. They clearly communicate expectations, are mindful of timing and have solid processes.

If you have these skills or are interested in developing them, you might be ready to start your own social media marketing business! How can we help?