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Kiara searched for the current freelance social media rates because she wanted to become her own boss.
After 10 years working for fortune 500 companies, Kiara was on a mission to change things up.
She didn’t like the idea of being restricted to only a few weeks of paid time off each year.
In fact, what would be brilliant is if she had the ability to work from anywhere in the world.
You see, she got the travel bug 3 years ago while on holiday in Malta.
Since then she has been trying to see how she can create a lifestyle that suit her needs to travel.
As social media becomes increasingly important for business owners, the need for freelance social media managers is on the rise.
But what is a freelance social media manager, and how much should you charge for your services?
If you are just getting started as a freelance social media manager or are thinking about becoming one, you’re in the right place.
In this post, you’ll learn everything you need to know about freelance social media rates.
What is a Freelance Social Media Manager
A freelance social media manager is someone who manages and helps grow a company’s social media presence.
This can include creating and managing social media accounts and various social media pages, creating social media posts, responding to comments and messages, running Facebook ads, Instagram ads, and more.
Essentially, a freelance social media manager is responsible for anything and everything related to a company’s social media presence.
Social Media Statistics – Service in High Demand
First, let’s take a look at some social media statistics that show just how in-demand social media management services are:
- There are over 4.62 billion active social media users worldwide based on Smart Insights
- 77% of small businesses use social media
- 97% of marketers use social media to reach their target audiences
- 68% of adults in the US get their news from social media
As you can see, social media is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity for businesses of all sizes.
And with over 4.62 billion people active on social media platforms, there are many potential customers out there for businesses to reach.
But businesses can’t just jump into the social media fray without a plan or strategy. That’s where freelance social media managers come in.
Freelance social media managers help businesses create and implement effective social media marketing campaigns.
They also manage the day-to-day tasks of posting content, engaging with followers, and monitoring analytics.
In other words, freelance social media managers are responsible for helping businesses grow their online presence and reach their target audiences.
Why Level of Experience Matters
When it comes to social media management, businesses need someone who is experienced in the platforms and tools and knows how to create content, develop strategies, and measure results.
An inexperienced social media manager might be able to set up a Twitter account and post a few tweets, but that’s not going to help the business achieve its objectives.
On the other hand, an experienced social media manager will be able to set up and manage the account and develop strategies, create and curate content, engage with followers, and measure results.
This is why it’s important to consider a freelancer’s experience level when considering their rates.
Past Results vs. Experience – Which is Best
When it comes to social media management, you might find that there are two types of freelancers – those with experience and those with results.
While both are important, we believe results are more important than experience. This is because businesses care about results at the end of the day.
They want to see a return on their investment, and the only way to do that is to see results.
An experienced freelancer might have worked with many clients, but if they don’t have results to show for it, then they’re not going to be as valuable to a business as a freelancer who has results.
Of course, results without much experience can only take you so far. That’s why looking for both when considering a freelancer for your social media management needs is important.
7 Vital Social Media Skills
Now that we’ve talked about the importance of experience and results, let’s take a look at the 7 vital social media skills every manager needs.
These skills will help you go a long way to increasing your freelance social media rates.
1. Content Creation
A social media freelancer needs to be able to create social media content that is not only engaging but also aligns with the business’s goals.
Content is king when it comes to social media, and a freelancer who can create high-quality, shareable content will be invaluable to a business.
2. Strategy Development
An effective social media strategy must be in place in order for a business to achieve its objectives.
Therefore, a freelance social media manager needs to be able to develop strategies that are tailored to the business and its goals.
This might include developing a content calendar, identifying influencers, or creating a social media marketing plan.
3. Analytics and Reporting
Another vital social media skill is analytics and reporting.
A social media manager needs to be able to track the results of their efforts and report back to the business regularly.
Based on the analytics, they’ll also know how to tweak their strategy to get better results.
4. Community Management
Community management is vital for any business that wants to build a strong and engaged social media following.
A good manager will be able to cultivate a positive community around the business.
In most cases, it would make sense to hire someone who only handles social media engagement.
5. Influencer Marketing
When working with social media, it’s essential to leverage the power of influencers.
An excellent social media manager will be able to identify and work with influencers that can help promote the business.
6. Social Media Advertising
Paid advertising is a great way to reach a larger audience and boost results.
A social media freelancer needs to be able to create and manage effective social media advertising campaigns.
7. Crisis Management
One of the most vital social media skills is crisis management. A good manager will know how to handle a crisis situation and protect the business’s reputation.
As you can see, social media management is much more than just posting to a Facebook page or Twitter. It’s a complex job that requires a specific skill set.
When considering freelancers for your social media needs, ensure they have experience and results in all of the above areas.
How to Become a Social Media Manager in 6 Steps
Here are a few tips you’ll need to consider if you’re thinking of becoming a social media manager with a great reputation.
1. Consider a Certification
Getting certified in social media is a great way to show potential clients that you’re serious about your career and have the skills to back it up.
There are many different social media certifications available, so choose one that’s relevant to the platforms you want to work with.
For example, if you want to work with businesses on Facebook, then you might consider getting certified in Facebook marketing.
Be sure to check out Rachel Pedersen’s Social Media United while it’s still free.
2. Hone Your Skills
Honing your social media skills is an ongoing process. As the platforms change and evolve, so should your skills.
One great way to stay up-to-date on the latest social media trends and best practices is to follow industry leaders and read social media blog posts.
You can also join social media groups and attend conferences and webinars.
3. Build a Social Media Presence
Building a social media presence for yourself is a great way to show potential clients that you know what you’re doing.
When creating your own social media profiles, make sure to showcase your skills and expertise.
Use relevant keywords in your bio so that people can easily find you when they’re searching for a social media manager.
And don’t forget to link to your website and blog so that people can learn more about you and your work.
4. Find a Community
Try networking with other social media professionals. For example, attend meetups and networking events, or join online communities like LinkedIn groups.
You can also connect with other social media managers on social networks like Twitter.
5. Get an Entry-level Job (or internship)
Even though you are a freelancer, getting an entry-level job or internship with a company can give you the experience you need to land more prominent clients.
It can also help you build your network and get your name out there.
When applying for jobs, focus on companies that are in your desired industry or niche. And don’t be afraid to start small.
Every experience counts and can help you move closer to your goal.
6. Use the Best Tools
As a social media manager, you’ll come to realise that using the best tools will help you to stay ahead of the competition.
It will also help you to command the best freelance social media rates.
Social media management and strategy require apps and software to get the best results for your clients.
These can fall into several categories including planning, creation, editing, scheduling and analytics.
Here’s a breakdown of those tools and platforms by category.
Planning
- Planoly
- Plann
- Asana
- Notion
- ClickUp
- Airtable
Creation
- Canva
- Filmicpro
- Filmora
- Ivory mix
Editing
- InShot
- VSCO
- Facetune
- Giphy
- Adobe Lightroom
- Kapwing
Scheduling
- Planoly
- Agorapulse
- Plann
- Meta Business Suite
- Canva
- Missinglettr
Analytics
- Flicktech
- Missinglettr
- Hootsuite
- Meta Business Suite
- Instagram Insight tools
As you’ll notice there are some tools, apps and platforms that cover more than one category.
The important thing to remember is that every professional needs the right tools for their trade.
Just like a plumber or electrician needs tools to complete their work so do you as a social media manager.
You don’t want to show up at a client meeting asking them to borrow their logins to access data.
Freelance Social Media Rates
The rates you will charge as a freelancer highly depends on your skill and years of experience.
As with any service, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It will depend on several factors, including your experience level, the scope of work, the client’s budget, and more.
If you’re just starting out, you’ll likely need to charge lower rates in order to compete with other freelancers. As you build your portfolio and client base, you can start to increase your rates.
You also need to decide if you want to charge hourly wages, a monthly fee or even a day rate.
Your pricing model will depend on all these factors as well as additional costs that you will need to account for when offering your social media services
With that said, here is a general guide to social media management pricing:
Junior
Social media freelancers with skills and experience at the junior level typically start out with a rate of $20-30 per hour.
This level usually equals an experience level of about 0-2 years.
Mid-level
Social media freelancers with mid-level skills and experience typically start with a rate of $40-70 per hour.
This level usually equals an experience level of about 3-5 years.
Senior
Social media freelancers with skills and experience at the senior level typically start out with a rate of $80-100 per hour.
Your experience level is expected to be around 5-8 years.
Expert
Social media freelancers with skills and experience at the senior level typically start out with a rate of $100-250 per hour.
As an expert, you are expected to have a level of experience of about 10+ years.
How to Get to 6-Figure Freelance Social Media Rates
You can take steps to become a 6-figure social media manager. Follow the steps below to get started.
1. Set Your Rates
The first step is to set your rates. Make sure you know your worth and don’t undervalue yourself.
You should also consider what kind of services you’re going to offer and how much you’ll charge for each service.
2. Find Your Niche
Next, you need to find your niche. Then, consider what kind of businesses or industries you want to work with.
Do some research and find out what kind of social media strategies are working well for them. Then, focus on becoming an expert in that area.
3. Build a Portfolio
Once you’ve found your niche, it’s time to start building your portfolio.
Start by creating social media profiles for yourself and showcase your skills and expertise.
Then, look for opportunities to guest post or write articles about social media. These will help you show any prospective client that you know what you’re doing.
4. Pitch Your Services
Once you have the experience and skills to back up your claims, it’s time to start pitching your services to potential clients.
When reaching out, make sure to personalize each message and include information about why you’re the best person for the job.
You can find potential clients by searching online job boards, attending networking events, or even cold-emailing companies in your niche.
If you want a more detailed guide showing you how to become a VA check out this resource.
5. Monthly Retainer
One of the secrets to becoming a 6-figure social media manager is charging package pricing instead of hourly rates.
In other words, if you decide to work with only 3-5 clients every month, you can have a monthly fee.
Normally, monthly retainers can range from $2,500 to $5,500 a month which include strategy, content creation, posting and engagement.
Remember that you can always outsource or subcontract aspects of your package to someone else.
For example, you can hire someone to handle all the engagement while you work on everything else.
Freelance Social Media Rates FAQs
How much do freelancers charge for social media?
The rates you will charge as a freelancer highly depends on your skill and experience. Most social media freelancers typically charge an hourly rate of $20-$250, depending on skill level and expertise.
What’s the best way to find social media clients?
There are many ways you can find social media clients. For example, you can search online job boards, attend networking events, or even cold-email companies in your niche.
How much should I charge for a social media post?
Most social media freelancers charge an hourly rate. However, if you are just getting started and would like to charge per post, a reasonable rate to start at is $50-$100 per post, depending on how long each one takes and your skill level.
As you build your portfolio and start to gain new clients, you can start to charge higher rates.
What should you charge for social media marketing this year?
This year, the national average fee for social media marketing services was $50 to $100 per hour.
The price has not changed much in recent times, but some platforms (such as TikTok) have become more popular, so you may be able to start charging higher prices.
Conclusion
As a social media freelancer, you have the potential to earn a high income. But success takes more than just being good at social media.
You need to be able to market yourself, find the right clients, and set competitive pay rates.
Your niche is also important as it will help you focus your attention and build a strong portfolio.
By simply following the steps above, you’ll be on your way to becoming a 6-figure social media manager in no time.
Just make sure that you are always learning and growing in your skillset so that you can keep up with the latest trends and continue to offer the highest value to your clients.
Announcements
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It is absolutely scary to get started as a freelancer or virtual assistant.
All it takes is getting your first client and you’ll be well on your way to success.
I started this blog in 2017 because I had a burden on my heart to reduce women’s illiteracy globally.
Because this is a huge undertaking I have decided to help 1,000 women over the next 10 years to become wildly successful in their online business through simplified marketing strategies.
That way we can build a strong business network of women who can donate 1% of their profit and together we can help reduce women’s illiteracy worldwide.
Would you like to be part of this movement? Shoot me an email using alvern (at) successunscrambled (dot) com.
