Here is the thing… Social media isn’t for the weak at heart. It’s hard. It’s draining. When I first entered the social media marketing world as someone trying to get clients, I made a lot of mistakes. Even as someone who has a business degree, who “grew up” in the age of social media, and has worked with big tech companies on social media management (before starting my business), there is still so much to learn. The “business” they teach you in school, is nothing like running an online business. I don’t want you to waste your time making the same mistakes I did.
Here are the six most common mistakes social media managers make when starting their businesses:
1. Not treating your own business like it’s your most valuable client:
Your business needsalways to be a priority. It is your most valuable client. That meanstaking yourself through the same process you guide your clients through.Schedule the photoshoot with a friend or photographer, plan your contentstrategy, evaluate your messaging, write content ahead of time (*cough* amonth, at least *cough*), evaluate your own analytics. Ignorance is not blisswhen it comes to your business. You should walk the talk.Tip: Schedule a regular strategic planning meeting withyourself. I call these my CEO Days. Sounds legit, doesn’t it
2. You’re trying to sell too much (to too many people):
When you are focusing on social media management AND websites AND graphic design AND business coaching AND AND AND… You aren’t giving all of your energy to one thing that is turning you a profit. You’re trying to sell too many things. The most significant transformation I had in 2018 was cutting out all of the other stuff I was offering. I was no longer your social media and website girl – I’m just your social media girl. Focusing on only social media, helped my audience know me better for what I actually wanted to offer.
3. Not properly managing leads and clients:
I used to FORGET TOINVOICE MY CLIENTS. I know… How did I forget to get paid? But I did. Somemonths I was a couple of days late to send the invoice, other months I was aweek late sending the invoice. Not only that but I would misplace the contracts.When I quit my job, one of the first things I did wasmove away from what I was using and invest in Dubsado! Dubsado gave me the tools Ineeded to simplify managing my clients and needs. I could send my clients (andleads) emails, proposals, and contracts easily and effortlessly online. Notonly did this make me more organized, but I was able to show up and give myleads and clients a more streamlined experience of working with me.
4.Not charging enough when you’re first starting out:
When I started takingclients, I charged around $350 a month. When I’d decided I wanted to quit myjob, I knew I needed to raise my prices in order to do so. But, I couldn’texpect a client paying me $350 a month, to start paying me my new rates. Itjust wasn’t going to happen and definitely not in their budgets.Ittakes a ton of energy, strategic thinking, creativity, time and organization tomanage a social account. You should be compensated fairly for this. Not tomention the return on the investment for your clients is HUGE! Don’t forget that when you’re pricing yourself.
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5. Not having a solid contract that outlines yourresponsibilities and your client’s responsibilities to you:
I’m sure you know contracts are important at this point. Your contract should do more than tell your client how much they have to pay you and for how long (although both of those are important…) You should also be establishing what you’re responsible for and what your client is responsible for. For example, are you writing all the content or is your client providing content? Are you requiring they respond to emails or calls in a certain amount of time? Always get a contract from a business attorney.
6. Not setting boundaries with your clients:
Boundaries are huge when you’re in an industry that never sleeps. Social media is 24-7. But there is NO such thing as a social media emergency. Read that again. There is NO such thing as a social media emergency. Boundaries need to be set at the beginning of the working relationship. These should be outlined in your contract. I also send my clients a welcome packet that has my boundaries in it. This includes things like how to get in contact with me (I don’t allow Facebook messages), how to schedule appointments, my working hours, and how often I check my email.
