I am a certified social media manager and strategist, keynote speaker and freshly-minted Agile marketer! Yes, I love sticky notes and organized chaos.
Blogging is my creative outlet. Running, hiking and skiing are how I recharge. You’ll recognize me on stage and online by my always present orange glasses, a nod to my Dutch heritage.
Are you an aspiring or new social media manager? Have you been searching for that first social media client to work with? Is your search for that first paying client still on?
You’ve come to the right place!
We at Social Media Pro have trained well over 30,000 social media managers to become business owners and we have helped many of these students find or land their first social media client.
Landing your first client should not ever stress you out to the point of throwing in the towel.
We’ve got you!
Today, we are offering ideas for the best places to find your first social media client!
Before you can work with any new, or first client, you need to answer the following questions about what you can offer this client.
Preparation for that first meeting includes knowing yourself and your own goals well, and understanding your offerings – and your limitations!
Once you have some of these questions answered, move onto what you expect from this first social media client.
I am just going to throw the truth out there.
ALL social media managers at one point had a ‘first client’!
We all fumbled at times, messed up and most likely, under-charged them! We over-delivered, we were scared, felt lonely and overwhelmed!
Just so you know; if you are willing to put in the work to get past that, this is an amazing career opportunity!
The question remains; what do you expect from this first social media client?
If you expect:
Have realistic expectations about what you might earn, and what hours you have available to get started!
A direct approach includes making posts on social media to celebrate the “start of your new business”, adding your new certification or training to your bio and LinkedIn profile, and yes, asking family and friends for direct referrals!
With these direct referrals be clear about what social media services you are offering, who your ideal client is and ask to be introduced as a ‘social media marketing business’ to their direct connections.
That will make you look and sound legit and reputable! Looking to fellow small business owners as potential clients is a great way to get started.
Alternatively, use your own ‘warm audience’ to prospect. Make a list of all the places you frequent – think hairdresser, bagel shop, pizza place, law offices, sports team, realtor, hardware store, physical therapy – and go in and talk to the business owners or managers! Be enthusiastic, and clear on what you offer and ask for a short meeting.
At the same time as putting yourself out there by asking for the referral, make sure you are working on your inbound leads!
Create content for your ideal target audience; how-to videos and blog articles and post those to your social media profiles, along with other content your create or share!
Become that expert in social media to your online and offline community and give, give, give.
Do not
Instead, go to your communities and ask questions.
If you are not currently plugged into such a community, come join ours!
This is a FAQ in our industry, so let’s get to it. If you are looking for that first social media client, visit these ‘places’!
It comes down to these three things:
The trust factor is important, therefore it makes good sense to start your search for your first social media clients among people who already know, like (or love) and trust you!
Best of luck finding that first social media client! Once you have that one signed, you're up and running!
I am a certified social media manager and strategist, keynote speaker and freshly-minted Agile marketer! Yes, I love sticky notes and organized chaos.
Blogging is my creative outlet. Running, hiking and skiing are how I recharge. You'll recognize me on stage and online by my always present orange glasses, a nod to my Dutch heritage.
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I am a certified social media manager and strategist, keynote speaker and freshly-minted Agile marketer! Yes, I love sticky notes and organized chaos.
Blogging is my creative outlet. Running, hiking and skiing are how I recharge. You’ll recognize me on stage and online by my always present orange glasses, a nod to my Dutch heritage.