#GrowOnlinewithChinny: Hey Social Media Manager, these 5 Tips Will Make your Job Easier

Hey guys,

Thank you so much for your comments here and the DMs on Instagram. Your responses keep this column alive. Your appreciation, love and questions form my content ideas and is the reason I get back to my computer every week and type #GrowOnlinewithChinny…. Let us keep that rolling, shall we?

Social media managers deserve lots of accolades. Whether you are managing social media for your own business or have a full time or freelance social media job, I know it can get overwhelming. But there are simple steps to make your job a little easier. A little something to note, though: this is a general guide and that is because I want it to be a quick read. If you are interested in a more detailed guide or apps that I recommend, shoot me an email or a DM.

Use a scheduling app

Whether you manage one or five social media accounts, a scheduling app is always a great idea. Most scheduling apps allow you to manage one social media account for free and this is great if you are managing just one. However, you might want to do some research, read reviews and use a premium service which typically allows you to add multiple accounts. What you want to do is take blocks of time to brainstorm on content for a week (agree on the frequency of posting with your client), and think of caption ideas in batches. This way, you have a lot more control over creating a cohesive brand story with every post.

Explore creative tools

If you’re a social media manager, you really want to show your creative side. Now, you don’t need to have the perfectly curated feed, but you want to have something really nice. I am that social media manager who posts very intentionally (but not frequently on the feed). However, my Instagram stories don’t play and I will answer your simple question with a quick video. I always want to leave a good impression. Guess what, you don’t have to be super creative or possess design skills to be a successful social media manager. You just need to be inquisitive and willing to explore. On my Instagram saved posts tab, I have a collection tagged ‘Posts that made me stop,’ and another one tagged ‘Recreate.’ I am constantly asking questions. What brands are killing it on social media? What are they obviously doing? How can you adapt these strategies for your brand? Why did this picture capture your attention? Why does this post have so many comments? How does this poppin’ account engage with their audience? Don’t waste your time envying or copying; observe the strategies, apply them, ask questions and try things out. Try out creative apps, sharpen your editing skills, brush up your writing and keep exploring.

Get Trained!

You don’t get to be a social media manager because it’s a cool title. You can decide to go MIA on your personal Instagram account, but when someone pays you to handle their social media account(s), you have to show up and make sure they are getting value for their money. A good way to think of it is this: Is your client making enough money from your social media marketing efforts, to pay you twice and still be profitable? It is okay not to have it all figured out as a social media manager, the key is for us to keep learning. Take an online course, listen to podcasts, find websites dedicated to social media management (the blog section is always so helpful) and look for ways to improve the accounts you manage.

Managing accounts effectively

I would say this starts with understanding the brand. Before you take a client’s money, you want to understand their values and the direction of the brand story you are telling. Also, try not to procrastinate. Set reminders and reach out to your clients before they have to remind you about something. One key thing that you might want to think about is how you can get other accounts to mention your brand. You might also want to explore targeted ads. They work! Generally, be very mindful of your progress/analytics and how to keep getting closer to your goals.

How to get more clients?

Show up! Attend events that typically have small business owners and network. Use the strategies you are learning about social media to manage your personal account. If nobody is noticing you, volunteer to manage an account, and showcase the progress you are making. Tell your own story. Show us what you do and give us a reason to care.

Extra: Take a break if you need to, we’ll all be here when you come back!

Lastly, not everything about Instagram lives on Instagram. You may need to get off the app sometimes to just check in with your notes, come up with a strategy, write down your plans or even take a nap. Be intentional about your time on Instagram.

I hope you find these tips helpful. Don’t hesitate to send me a DM if you are interested in a more detailed guide, and subscribe to my blog. In the meantime, see you in the comments section!