It’s difficult to imagine a world without social media, from Facebook and Instagram to LinkedIn Twitter. While these platforms first emerged as a way to help people connect and socialise virtually, they’ve since evolved into far more than that.
Nowadays, social media plays a significant role in many different parts of our lives, contributing to professional efforts, the distribution of news and even dating, among other things.
One way in which social media has really evolved is in terms of its use in marketing. What started off as an exciting additional tool to be used in larger more traditional marketing campaigns has grown into an entire industry in itself – one that shows no signs of slowing down.
Social media marketing agencies, commonly referred to as SMMAs these days, are taking the world of marketing by storm, opening new doors and creating many new opportunities.
But, as successful as the industry has become, how would one go about getting into it, and more importantly, how would one go about starting a social media marketing company?
Define Your Niche and Services In Social Media Marketing
First things first, it’s essential to determine your niche and the services you’re going to offer. Social media marketing covers a wide range of activities, including content creation, paid advertising, influencer collaborations and community management, among other things. So, selecting a niche within the industry is a good idea if you want to be able to get cracking quickly and be successful.
Some businesses focus on specific industries like fashion, real estate or tech startups, for instance, while others specialise in particular platforms like LinkedIn for B2B marketing or Instagram for lifestyle brands.
Whatever way you choose to focus, refining what you’re doing – rather than trying to cover anything and everything – will help give you a bit of professional direction, and it’ll also make you more appealing to potential clients.
By defining your niche, you can position yourself as an expert in a particular area, making it easier to attract clients. You should also decide whether you will offer full-service social media management or specialise in specific aspects, such as ad campaigns or brand strategy.
Setting Up Your Agency
Once you’ve defined your services, the next step is to take your first steps in setting up your business both legally and professionally. To do this, you’ll need to register your business, choose a name and set up a website to showcase your expertise.
Having a strong online presence is essential for a social media marketing business, not only because it’s good advertising for your company, but because your potential clients will judge your capabilities based on your own branding and content.
Investing in essential tools and software is also crucial. Social media management platforms like Hootsuite, Buffer and Sprout Social can help streamline scheduling and analytics, while design tools like Canva or Adobe Creative Cloud will assist in creating high-quality content.
Building a Portfolio and Gaining Clients
Attracting your first clients can be challenging, especially if you’re starting from scratch. One of the best ways to build a portfolio is to offer your services to small businesses, startups or even local charities at a discounted rate or for free in exchange for testimonials. This allows you to showcase real-world case studies and demonstrate your ability to drive results.
Networking is also key to gaining clients. Utilise LinkedIn, attend industry events, and connect with business owners who may need your services. Word-of-mouth referrals can be incredibly powerful, so delivering high-quality work from the start can lead to more opportunities.
Another effective way to gain clients is by using social media marketing for your own business. By growing your own online presence, sharing valuable insights and demonstrating your expertise, you can attract potential clients who are looking for someone to help them achieve similar success.
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Pricing Your Services
Setting the right pricing for your services is always tricky, no matter what you do or the industry you’re in. Many social media marketers offer different pricing models, including monthly retainers, project-based pricing or hourly rates.
One thing you need to bear in mind is that your pricing should reflect the value you bring to clients, taking into account factors lik experience, time commitment and the complexity of the work. So, don’t sell yourself short.
It’s also important to remain competitive while ensuring your business remains profitable. Researching what other social media marketers charge in your niche can help you determine a fair and sustainable pricing structure, while making sure that what you’re being paid is a fair reflection of what you’re offering.
Scaling and Growing Your Business
Once you’ve established yourself and gained a steady stream of clients, the next step is to scale your business. This might involve hiring additional team members, including content creators, graphic designers or paid ad specialists, to expand your service offerings.
Automation and outsourcing certain tasks, like scheduling posts or analytics reporting, can also free up time to focus on strategy and client acquisition. So, when your business starts getting big enough and you’re nice and busy, this is a great way to free up some more valuable time for yourself.
Also, investing in continuous learning is essential in the fast-changing world of social media marketing. Platforms are constantly update their algorithms, and new trends emerge regularly. Make sure you’re staying ahead of these changes by taking online courses, attending webinars and keeping up with industry news so that you can have a good competitive edge.
FAQs About How to Start An SMMA
If you’ve got some questions and queries about how to start a social media marketing agency, you can rest assured that you’re definitely not the only one. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about how to start an SMMA.
What Skills Do I Need To Start A Social Media Marketing Company?
To run a successful social media marketing business, you need skills in content creation, copywriting, graphic design, data analysis and social media strategy.
This means understanding platform algorithms, paid advertising and engagement tactics in order to be really good and effective at what you do. Strong communication and client management skills will help you build lasting relationships with businesses.
Do I Need A Formal Qualification To Start A Social Media Marketing Company?
No, you don’t necessarily need a formal qualification, but it can defnitely be beneficial. Plenty of social media marketers are self-taught, learning through online courses, industry blogs and hands-on experience.
But, certifications in digital marketing or social media management from platforms like Google, HubSpot or Meta can help establish credibility.
What’s the Best Way To Find Clients?
Start by offering your services to small businesses, startups or even non-profits at a discounted rate or in exchange for testimonials. Use social media to showcase your expertise, network on LinkedIn and attend industry events. You can also make use of freelance platforms like Upwork and Fiverr to gain initial experience.
What Services Should I Offer As A Social Media Marketer?
This totally depends on your expertise and target market. Common services include social media management, content creation, paid advertising (Facebook Ads, Google Ads), influencer marketing, analytics and reporting and brand strategy. A good idea is to start with a few core services and expand as your business grows.
How Much Should I Charge For My Services?
Pricing is a tough one, and it very much depends on your experience, the services you offer and your target audience.
You can charge an hourly rate, a project-based fee or a monthly retainer. Research competitors and consider offering tiered packages to suit different budgets. Typical pricing for freelance social media managers ranges from £500 to £2,000 per month per client. But, may people find it easiest to start off with an hourly fee until you get an idea of how time and effort projects require.
Do I Need to Register My SMMA?
Yes, if you plan on operating a legitimate business, you should register as a sole trader or a limited company in the UK (unless you’re based elsewhere, of course). Registering a business ensures legal protection, allows you to open a business bank account, and makes it easier to handle taxes.
