Freelance Social Media Manager: Job Description, Income & Salary, & How To Become

Freelancing as a social media manager is a rewarding career.

Many opportunities await you if you’re thinking about making the switch.

But where do you begin?

Having unique capabilities is essential to your success as a freelance social media manager.

Fortunately, there’re many tutorials and virtual workshops to assist you in honing your abilities.

Even with a marketing degree, the only way to impress your clients is to study the ins and outs of each social media network.

Read on to learn what social media freelancing entails and how to turn it into a hobby that makes money.

What Is a Freelance Social Media Manager?

A freelance social media manager manages, maintains, and promotes a business’s social media presence.

Typically, they handle many accounts simultaneously.

A freelance social media manager’s client base ranges from new businesses to small businesses and large corporations.

They may juggle their freelance business with a full-time digital marketing job or work alone.

Whereas a freelance social media manager may specialize in serving clients in a particular industry, the core competencies necessary to succeed in this field are transferable to any field.

They may work on a project-by-project basis or as part of a long-term team.

What Does a Freelance Social Media Manager Do?

A freelance social media manager develops strategy, publishes, and monitors a client’s social media content.

Clients will task them with researching relevant trends, topics, and strategies.

They also engage in conversations with customers and followers, respond to questions or complaints, and promptly address brand-related topics.

A freelance social media manager is in charge of scheduling social media postings for their clients across all their accounts and collaborating with other team members to achieve a company’s marketing goal.

What Does a Freelance Social Media Manager Usually Focus On?

A freelance social media manager’s primary focus is to help the client build an online presence and reputation.

They do this by curating and publishing headlines that align with the company’s objectives and utilizing analytics tools.

They also track how their media content is performing, use analytics to identify opportunities for improvement, and report back to the client on performance.

They stay up-to-date with industry news and use their findings to create engaging social media content that appeals to the client’s target audience.

Freelance Social Media Manager Job Description

The most common tasks for a freelance social media manager include the following:

• Scheduling posts, moderating comments and responding to customer inquiries.
• Writing brand-appropriate social media headlines and copy that persuades and converts readers into buyers on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
• Analyzing a customer’s social media metrics and preparing monthly reports.
• Collaborating with the marketing team to develop and execute paid social media campaigns.
• Providing recommendations for improving social media strategies and tactics.
  

Top Freelance Social Media Manager Jobs and Careers

Here are the best jobs for a freelance social media manager.

• Public relations manager: A PR manager’s primary function is to build and maintain a business’s reputation. Likewise, they network to connect with influential people and media professionals.
• Market research analyst: The role entails monitoring and anticipating future trends. They assist a business in drafting long-term strategic plans.
• Senior social media strategy manager: The job involves analyzing market data and developing strategies for reaching target audiences. They also research relevant influencers and coordinate with them to create comprehensive advertising initiatives.

Where Can a Freelance Social Media Manager Work?

A freelance social media manager can work in marketing and advertising, public relations, e-commerce, entertainment, hospitality, fashion, food, technology, and software industries.

They may also work with small businesses, non-profit organizations, and individuals to help them build their social media profiles.

What It’s Like To Be a Freelance Social Media Manager

Being a freelance social media manager can be a challenging but rewarding career. It offers the flexibility and freedom to work on your terms.

However, it also requires strong organizational and communication skills and a deep understanding of social media platforms and trends.

Is Being a Freelance Social Media Manager Hard?

Being a freelance social media manager is not hard.

However, you may face challenges finding clients, managing your time effectively, and staying up-to-date with the latest social media trends.

Fortunately, it’s possible to build a successful career as a freelance social media manager with dedication and hard work.

Is a Freelance Social Media Manager’s Job Stressful?

Being a freelance social media manager is fun and stressful at times.

Managing multiple accounts and staying on top of social media trends is no easy task.

However, you can manage your workload and minimize stress if you grasp the tools and platforms well.

Common Freelance Social Media Manager Work Day

A freelance social media manager’s job expectations may vary depending on the specific needs and goals of the company they are working with.

However, the main goal is to help the company build and maintain solid social media accounts, increase brand awareness, and engage with customers.

Freelance Social Media Manager Tasks & Duties

A freelance social media manager is responsible for developing and implementing a social media strategy aligning with the firm’s goals.

As a social media manager, you will also manage a business’s social media accounts and analyze and give feedback about how clients’ accounts perform.

Furthermore, they offer insights on how to improve reach and engagement.

Freelance Social Media Manager Work Hours & Schedule

Your hours as a freelance social media manager depend on the client’s needs and your specific agreements with them.

Some clients may require you to work full-time, while others may only need you to work part-time.

Large corporations may also need you to be available for evenings and weekends.

Does This Career Field Embrace Work-Life Balance?

Yes, freelance social media managers can set their working hours, allowing them to make time for family and hobbies while building their careers.

In addition, they can work from anywhere as the job doesn’t limit to a specific workplace.

However, the extent to which you achieve a good work-life balance may depend on the types of projects you take on and your client’s demands.

Do Freelance Social Media Managers Make Good Money?

Yes, freelance social media managers can make good money.

However, how much you can make depends on various factors, such as work experience, the number of clients you have, and the services you offer.

It’s among the most common side hustles for people looking to supplement their income, although some work as full-time employees.

How Much Do Freelance Social Media Managers Make?

The average income for a social media manager is $53,060 per year.

However, there’s a huge variation because most social media managers concentrate on a particular subset or facet of the industry.

Their pay usually depends on factors like educational background, work experience, and the company they work for.

Professionals with unique qualifications may be in a position to demand greater wages.

How Do Freelance Social Media Managers Get Paid?

Freelance social media managers typically get paid bi-weekly or monthly.

Reputable companies prefer paying their workers through checks and payroll cards.

Some companies may compensate their freelance social media managers using cryptocurrency.

However, you must provide tax details to receive your payments. It’s advisable to ask if the company is flexible in terms of payment methods.

Requirements, Skills, and Education Required for Freelance Social Media Managers

Check the section below to learn the necessary qualifications to work as a freelance social media manager.

Who Should Consider a Freelance Social Media Manager Career Path?

Becoming a social media manager may be the right option if you’re creative and passionate about staying up-to-date on the latest digital trends.

It’s also a good fit for individuals with experience in marketing, public relations, or communication.

Furthermore, self-motivated, organized individuals who enjoy working independently may find the career a good fit for their skills and interests.

Who Should NOT Consider a Freelance Social Media Manager Career Path?

If you’re not self-motivated and lack creative thinking and understanding about social media platforms, a freelance social media manager may not be the right career path for you.

Social media management is an ever-evolving field and requires someone who can keep up with new trends while staying organized.

You must also be able to develop strategies that engage audiences across various networks.

Is It Hard To Become a Freelance Social Media Manager?

No, becoming a freelance social media manager isn’t difficult.

However, it does require specific skills and dedication.

You’ll need to understand social media platforms and their algorithms well, and have strong communication, time management, and organizational skills.

In addition, it’ll help if you have an excellent portfolio to show potential clients.

What Do I Need To Become a Freelance Social Media Manager?

You might need to formally establish your business before taking on clients. Business registration rules might vary from one jurisdiction to another.

Do some market research to determine your hourly rate before you go out looking for clients.

Regardless of how good you’re at managing social media, it would help if you advertised to let clients know you’re accessible as a freelancer.

Requirements for Becoming a Freelance Social Media Manager

Improving one’s ability to create engaging social media taglines requires practice. Some jobs may require specific degrees or experience.

However, all social media managers should be competent in writing. In addition, you should be able to conduct advertisements on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

A keen awareness of your client’s industry trends, increasing social media following, and stimulating user interaction are must-have requirements.

What Skills Does a Freelance Social Media Manager Need?

To become a freelance social media manager, you must know how to use different social media platforms effectively to engage with customers.

You’ll also need excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to create engaging headlines and analyze data to measure your social media campaign’s success.

Furthermore, you’ll need connections to help you build a bigger client base.

What Education Does a Freelance Social Media Manager Need?

There is no set educational requirement for becoming a freelance social media manager.

However, having a background in marketing, communications, or a related field can be helpful.

What Experience Does a Freelance Social Media Manager Need?

Many clients will settle for a freelance social media manager with experience using multiple social media platforms.

A background in graphic design or photography can also be beneficial.

How To Become a Freelance Social Media Manager

Here are a few tips on becoming a freelance social media manager.

Build a Portfolio

Create a website or online portfolio to showcase your skills and experience.

You can post your previously completed projects for potential clients’ review.

Promote Your Services

Being a freelancer or a business owner implies that you’re responsible for actively pursuing new customers and promoting your services online.

Your marketing strategy will vary depending on the type of customers you want to draw.

Offer a First-Rate Customer Experience

Surpassing your clients’ expectations is one of the most effective strategies for retaining and encouraging them to give you referrals.

Where To Find Freelance Social Media Manager Opportunities

Here are some places you can land social media managing jobs.

Craigslist

It’s one of the largest job boards in the world and can be a great place to start your search.

With postings from companies both large and small, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.

Fiverr

It’s a popular online marketplace that connects freelancers with businesses seeking their services.

The platform has many types of freelance jobs, including social media management.

Upwork

The platform connects businesses and freelancers.

It’s easy to set up an account, create a profile and browse freelance opportunities.

You can find jobs relating to Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram management.

Applying for the Gigs

The process for applying for a freelance social media manager gig can vary depending on the hiring company or individual.

Generally, you should research and identify potential job opportunities, create a portfolio of your work, and apply.

Interviewing for the Gigs

Before the interview, research the company and its social media presence.

That shows the interviewer that you have a good understanding of their brand.

It’s also essential to have examples of your work ready to show during the interview.

That could be a portfolio of your past social media campaigns or screenshots of your best-performing posts.

How Do I Prepare for Freelance Social Media Manager Gigs?

You should know the services you will offer as a freelance social media manager, including the types of platforms you can manage and any additional skills you have, such as graphic design or copywriting.

Similar Careers To Check Out

Here are other career options you can try.

• Freelance digital marketing: Freelance digital marketing entails offering digital marketing services to clients on a freelance basis rather than being a company’s full-time employee. Typically, digital marketers offer paid advertising, video marketing, influencer marketing, and SEO optimization services.
• Virtual assistant: A virtual assistant is an independent contractor remotely performing administrative and maintenance tasks for clients. A virtual assistant may offer services such as making phone calls, arranging travels, monitoring email accounts, setting appointments, web designing, blogging, accounting, and digital marketing.
• Freelance data analyst: A freelance data analyst is a professional who uses their data analysis skills to help organizations make better decisions. They work on a contract basis, and their clients are businesses and government agencies. In addition, they usually work on the same projects as full-time employees, but the primary difference is the project’s duration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the most popular questions people ask about freelance social media managers.

Wrapping Up

Today, people consider it common to use social media skills as a side job.

Being a freelance social media manager is worthwhile as long as you have the necessary skills.

To be successful in this role, you should have experience managing social media for multiple clients, strong written communication skills, great marketing ideas, and the ability to analyze and report on data.

Familiarity with popular social media platforms and tools is also essential. Furthermore, it would be best if you were proactive in marketing yourself and your services to attract and retain clients.

Do you have any suggestions or queries about being a freelance social media manager?

We are ready to hear from you in the comment section.