How to Work with International Clients as a Social Media Manager

Want to work with international clients and grow your business abroad? Whether you’re a social media manager or freelancer, landing global clients can open up exciting opportunities. But navigating different time zones, communication styles, and pricing expectations can also be a challenge. Learning how to work with international clients effectively can make all the difference in scaling your business successfully.

A fellow social media manager recently messaged me asking how to work with international clients, manage different time zones, and create content from miles away. So if you’ve been wondering the same thing, you’re in the right place. I’ve worked with clients worldwide while living in Bali and Australia, and I’m breaking down exactly what’s worked for me so you can do the same.

How I Landed International Clients While Living Abroad

When I first started my social media management business, I was living in Bali and working with clients in the U.S., Canada, Singapore, and other countries. Since I wasn’t based in my home country, nearly all of my clients were international.

Some of the best ways I found and booked international clients included:

• Instagram marketing – Showing up consistently, sharing value, and positioning myself as an expert.
• Facebook groups & job boards – Finding opportunities where business owners were actively looking for social media managers.
• Networking events – Connecting with entrepreneurs who needed support.
• Referrals – Happy clients spreading the word.
• My podcast – One of my Singapore-based clients found me simply by listening to my episodes!

Build Your Personal Brand & Expand Your Network

A strong personal brand is one of the best ways to attract international clients. Show up online, showcase your expertise, and treat your social media profiles like your portfolio.

If you want to work with clients from a certain country, start networking with brands in that region. Instead of cold pitching, focus on building relationships first. Engage with their content, comment on their posts, and start conversations before ever offering your services.

Charge Your Worth—No Matter Where You Live

One of the biggest mistakes social media managers make when working with international clients is undercharging. Just because you live in a country with a lower cost of living does not mean you should lower your rates to match local wages.

After living in Bali for three years, I saw firsthand how some business owners took advantage of professionals by offering ridiculously low rates. Don’t let that happen to you—know your value, set your rates accordingly, and walk away from clients who don’t respect your pricing.

Use Location Features & Hashtags to Attract International Clients

Want to attract clients from a specific country? Use social media location features and targeted hashtags to increase your visibility.

For example, if you want to work with brands in Australia, use:

• Location tags on Instagram and TikTok to appear in local searches.
• Hashtags like #Australiamarketing #PerthSocialMedia #SydneyBusiness to get in front of potential clients.

This small strategy can put your brand in front of the right audience!

How to Work With International Clients Like a Pro

Set Clear Office Hours & Contracts From the Start

Working across time zones? The last thing you want is clients expecting you to be available 24/7. Set boundaries early on so you’re not answering messages at 2 AM or taking calls outside of work hours.

Be upfront with your availability and outline everything in your contract, including:

• Your time zone
• Office hours
• Response times (e.g., within 24–48 hours on weekdays)

Having a clear agreement in place ensures both you and your client are on the same page from the start.

Use a Scheduling Tool to Manage Time Zones

A scheduling tool makes working with international clients so much easier. I use Dubsado, which lets me:

• Set custom time slots for different time zones.
• Create different scheduling links for different clients.
• Block off specific days to avoid burnout.

For example, my Singapore-based client is only two hours behind me, so scheduling calls is simple. But for my U.S. clients, I adjust my availability so I’m not sacrificing my evenings.

Be Flexible—But Set Boundaries

Some flexibility is required when working across different time zones—but that doesn’t mean you should compromise your work-life balance. When I lived in Bali, I actually loved the time difference. My mornings were my U.S. clients’ evenings, which worked perfectly for scheduling calls.

That being said, I’ve also turned down requests that don’t align with my boundaries. For example, a potential client once asked if I’d do engagement at 8 PM my time because that was their ideal posting time. My answer? No.

Yes, I can schedule posts at that time, but I won’t promise engagement at a specific hour every night. Set clear boundaries and communicate them upfront.

Use a Content Calendar to Streamline Approvals

If you’re managing international clients’ social media, a content calendar is essential. I use Notion to:

• Assign tasks to clients for content approvals.
• Leave comments on what needs to be filmed or sent.
• Track scheduled and completed content for visibility.

Be Mindful of Content Creation Limitations

If you love creating content for brands, working with international clients may limit what you can offer. Since I work remotely, I don’t film content for clients—I create graphics, edit videos, and write captions, but my clients need to provide their own footage or hire a photographer.

That’s actually one of the reasons I moved to Australia—I wanted to start offering content creation shoots for local brands!

The Reality of Working Abroad: Know the Visa Rules

If you’re working with clients while living abroad, research visa requirements beforehand. Many countries don’t have clear digital nomad visas, and in places like Indonesia, it’s illegal to work with local brands without proper documentation.

Even though I’m in Australia, I’ve applied for an Australian Business Number (ABN) so I can legally work with local brands and offer content creation services.

Make sure you check visa regulations before taking on international clients!

Final Thoughts

Landing and managing international clients as a social media manager can be a game-changer. With the right strategies, systems, and boundaries in place, you can successfully work with clients across the world—on your terms.

Episode Links + Resources

• Join The Social Sip – My Free Newsletter Every Thursday, get a fresh pour of content ideas, marketing insights, and actionable strategies to help you grow your brand on social.
• The Social Re-Brew – Your Done-With-You Instagram Strategy Get a personalized Instagram strategy designed to help you stand out online.
•  Freebie: Kickstart Your Social Media Management Business Grab my free guide to get started in the social media industry with confidence.
• Travel Insurance For Nomads – Try Safety Wing
• Try Notion for your content calendar
• Get 20% off your first month or year of Dubsado
• Work with Shannon 1:1 Via Mentoring
• Connect with Shannon on Instagram
• View my Social Media Management Services

PS. Some of the tools and resources mentioned may contain affiliate links. This means that if you click on these links and make a purchase or sign up for a service, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. With that said, I have asked for + included some special deals you can get exclusively from me – enjoy!