Running a social media management business comes with its fair share of challenges and learning experiences. Today, I’m sharing some of the biggest social media management mistakes I’ve made within my own business. These are the lessons that have cost me time, energy, and money but have ultimately shaped my journey and growth. Whether you’re just starting or are already established, I hope this post helps you avoid similar pitfalls.
Investing in the Wrong Business Coach
One of my early mistakes was investing in a business coach back in 2020 who had never started or scaled a social media management business. At the time, I lacked full clarity on my business, but this coach pitched me her group program as the perfect fit, which it definitely was not. This mistake cost me thousands of dollars and taught me that just because someone has made a certain amount of money doesn’t mean they are a good coach.
I learned to look beyond vanity metrics. Money alone is not a true measure of success. It doesn’t tell you about their finances, the kind of business owner they are, or the behind-the-scenes efforts to hit their income goals. I later discovered that this coach was working insane hours and compromising her health to achieve her financial targets, which is not a lifestyle I wanted to replicate.
Lacking Confidence in My Offers
In the early stages of my business, I struggled with confidence in my offers. This lack of confidence was evident during discovery calls, making me nervous and shaky, which affected how I pitched myself and my services. Confidence is a skill that can be developed over time. I practiced with friends and fellow entrepreneurs, asked for feedback, and found small tricks to boost my confidence, like wearing a specific shirt to cover my chest due to anxiety.
Pricing Myself Too Low
A common mistake among social media managers is pricing services too low. Initially, I didn’t understand pricing or my income goals, leading to unsustainable packages that paid less than minimum wage. This realization was shocking and made me recognize the importance of understanding business expenses and time investment. Proper pricing involves factoring in living costs, overhead expenses, and income goals.
Neglecting My Own Brand
Focusing all my efforts on growing my clients’ brands while neglecting my own was another significant mistake. It’s understandable for social media managers to prioritize client work, but neglecting your brand can harm your business. Building your brand helps connect with your audience, allows business growth and pivoting, and attracts dream clients. I had to remind myself to prioritize my brand and content creation, treating myself as a client and setting aside dedicated time for my business.
Not Selling Enough
When I first started, I found selling uncomfortable and didn’t want to come off as salesy. This stemmed from seeing the negative side of selling in previous jobs. However, I’ve learned that selling is serving. When you genuinely offer a product or service to improve someone’s life or solve a problem, there’s nothing icky about it. Getting comfortable with selling is essential, as it allows your dream clients to realize that you can help improve their business and life.
Conclusion
These are some of the top mistakes I’ve made in my social media management business. Recognizing these pitfalls is the first step to making necessary changes. If you can relate to any of these mistakes, know that you’re not alone, and use these insights to steer your business in the right direction. Here’s to learning, growing, and building better businesses together!
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The Tropical Social Podcast
Your go-to podcast for early-stage social media managers looking to stand out online and unlock freedom. Whether you dream of working online and living abroad, road-tripping across the country, or simply being your own boss from home, The Tropical Social Podcast is here to help you make it happen!
