If you've always dreamed of being your own boss, becoming a social mediaconsultant is a great way to achieve this goal. After all, with the rise of remote workand side hustles becoming more mainstream, more and more and opting to start their own businessinstead of daily grind of working for the man. However, gaining momentum isn't always as easy as the online gurus makes it out to be. While some people have seen success from day one, it usually takes a lot of planning and comprehensive knowledge to grow your businessand maintain success in the long run.
Identify Your Strengths and Weaknesses
Even if you've been using social media for years, there's seemingly always something new to learn to stay on top of the trends. You might be a master on TikTok but not really know how toharness the power of Twitter. Or, you might know how to grow social media channels by leaps and bounds but don't really know much about creating a marketing strategy. You need to take the time to identify your strengths and weaknesses before anything else.
If you're looking to switch careers and need further your education, you consider applying for scholarships. In fact, scholarships for collegeare open to just about everyone, so you can apply even if you're fresh out of high school and want to start your own social media consulting business. All you need to do is find those that you're eligible for and apply using a search and application platform online. Just be sure you're honest about your finances and the reasons why you need to apply. Once awarded, you can enroll in the degree program you need to further your education and open your business.
Decide Which Social Media Platforms to Focus On
In addition to earning a degree, you also need to decide which social media platformsyou want to focus on. With so many ways technology has improved our quality of life these days, it is no surprise that many excel on different social media platforms, so focus on the ones you know you do well. As your business grows and you take on more clients, you want to be known as an expert in a specific niche. Unless you have in-depth knowledge of all platforms, it's better to only work with the ones you do, and know well.
Use the Right Tools
Once the business is up and running, you also need to use the right social media tools. This is especially true once you start managing multiple clients. You should invest in scheduling appsthat'll automatically post at a certain time. You should also invest in building or improving your website. It's one of the first things potential clients look at when they need help. Make sure that it's easy to navigate and visually appealing. You also need to make sure that it's cohesive with your own social media channels.
Create Your Own Social Media Marketing Plan
Just because you specialize in social media doesn't mean you don't need a marketing planyourself. Particularly in the early days you'll want to gain as much as attention as possible. Create a marketing strategy that'll make people want to know more. Video contentis the best way to go, so create snippets that encourage people to click through to your website. Just be sure you're targeting the right people with your marketing efforts. If you want to work in the B2Csector, you wouldn't advertise or post solely on LinkedIn. That platform is more for B2B types of businesses. Instead, you spend more time on other social media platforms where your ideal client spends most of their time.
Don't be Afraid to Shift Gears
Social media trends come and go, so don't be afraid to shift gears when it comes to your clients. Although it might seem like a poor business decision, it's better to change the way you do business than continue in a niche that isn't profitable. You can always revert back to your original way of doing things if it doesn't work out.
Practice Your Pitch
Even with all the free online resources available, you still need to sell yourself. With so many people claiming to be social media managers and strategists, you need to find a way to stand out in the crowd. That's where your elevator pitch comes into play. Think about why someone should choose you above your competition. Maybe it's because you have years of experience with a proven track record, or maybe it's because you have a robust portfolio of high-profile clients to share. Create a pitch that's straight to the point and honest. Also, make sure that it's not boring. The last thing someone wants to do is listen to someone go on about how great they are.