We live in fascinating times where someone can make a great living off being a social media marketing guru. One profession that may be in the cards is a social media marketing consultant. This post will look at what a social media marketing consultant is and if it’s a promising career for you.
What Are They?
A social media marketing consultant is someone who works with a company, influencer, or organization to find ways to improve one’s social media presence.
Growing on social media can be challenging. Posting frequently, using hashtags, and knowing your audience are common sense ways to grow, but these platforms can be competitive, and there is never a one-size-fits-all approach.
What Jobs Do They Do?
Social media marketing consultants’ tasks may depend on the client and what skills they specialize in, but in general, a social media marketing consultant does the following.
Make Long-Lasting Social Media Strategies
One issue an organization may have is that its content quickly becomes dated within a few years—sometimes a few weeks. While a page may want to cover current issues, posting shareable content that is as important then as it is now can help a page grow.
Social Media Audits
It’s also important to learn what you need to do right. Social media audits can teach a brand what keywords they’re using wrong, why their description isn’t captivating people, and why people find their content dull.
Researching the Social Media The Company Uses
Whether a company uses Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, these sites are always adding something new. A consultant can help a company gain an advantage by discovering new strategies to hack the algorithm.
As you can see, consultants are gurus in their field, and a great consultant can turn a fledgling social media account into a powerhouse.
What Degrees Does a Social Media Consultant Need?
There is no “Bachelor’s in social media consulting” degree. However, degrees can lend authenticity to someone. If a consultant has a degree in marketing, communication, or journalism, this may help them to become a respected consultant.
That said, this is a field where results may be more important than what degree someone has. Many consultants are college dropouts or haven’t attended college at all but know how to market a page well.
The Benefits of Being a Social Media Marketing Consultant
If you’re curious about making this a career, here are some benefits.
Evergreen Career
For the foreseeable future, social media will be a dominant force in advertising for both big and small businesses. New businesses will pop up all the time, and they’ll need your help to grow. Also, social media is constantly changing. Even if a business is successful, it takes just one algorithm shift for it to see a drop in engagement. They may turn to a consultant to find ways to get back on top.
It’s a Flexible Career
Many hate working the 9 to 5 and having to go to the office. A consultant can work at their own pace, and it’s a remote job. And it’s a job where your clients are worldwide. So, if you’re a night person, you may serve clients from across the country.
It Doesn’t Get Boring
Many people find being a consultant rewarding because every challenge is unique. In addition, social media consultants can make new connections and learn new stories.
It Can Pay Well
How much you get paid depends on how many clients you have, your rates, and other factors. However, a consultant can earn between $50k-100k, sometimes more.
The Drawbacks of Being a Social Media Consultant
Not every career is perfect. Here are some signs that being a consultant may not be for you.
It’s a Hustle
For most consultants, this is a freelance career. So the struggle of having to get new clients and pitch your experience is real. Not only that, but it can be a competitive career, with many other consultants fighting for a client. One way you can stand out is to offer services for specific niches or for you to offer your services to local businesses.
Social Media is a 24/7 Thing
Your client may call you at an hour when you’re about to go to bed and may have to stay up fixing an issue with a post. Or, you may have to schedule calls at unconventional times. One way to avoid falling into this trap is to have clear hours and set boundaries.
A Sign a Social Media Consultant is Good
If you’re searching for a consultant or you want to become one, here are signs of a great social media marketing consultant.
They Have Successful Profiles and Wins
A social media marketing consultant should have a page that has many followers. If someone claims they are a consultant but their page is waning, you may not want to trust them. Also, the consultant should have proof that they have the experience that they claim to have. For example, they have references to other, more successful clients.
They Can Give You Detailed Forecasts and Plans
A social media consultant should be transparent. One way they can do this is to provide a client with a forecast detailing how many followers they should gain. In addition, they should provide a detailed content calendar that can show what type of content will be posted and when.
They’re Transparent and Realistic
Everything, from their pricing to their schedule, is there for you to see. They’ll also be realistic about what they can do for you. If a consultant promises that you’ll go from a small business with no followers to having millions overnight, this is probably too good to be true. Always be skeptical if you’re going to hire a consultant. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Final Thoughts
Social media marketing consultants can be a thriving career, and they can help a business grow its presence online. We hope this article helped you learn more about them.