AN IN-DEPTH GUIDE TO THE WORLD OF SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT

If you’re reading this article then you’re probably considering becoming a social media manager or hire on. You’re here because you are curious to know what the business of social media marketing is all about. You’re a business owner who realized the value of social media during the lockdown and is looking to diversify but first, you want to know what you’re getting into. For the aspiring social media managers, you’re here because honestly, you got to start somewhere. Let’s get into it, shall we?

WHAT IS SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT?

Social media management is executing a social media strategy across platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and LinkedIn, by creating, scheduling, analyzing, and curating content for these channels. This might be as part of a social media marketing strategy to improve your online reputation or to engage with your community.
Whether your business is located online or not, social media marketing is an essential part of marketing today. Don’t be deceived though, social media marketing involves so much more than posting pictures online. It is a complex job that requires a lot of work and patience because you see; social media marketing involves human understanding, flawless writing, incredible organization, and analytical thinking. It’s not for the faint of heart.

WHO IS A SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER?

A social media manager, whether working as a consultant, in-house employee, or team member at a social media agency, is a skilled professional at social media marketing, advertising, and management. They help achieve your goals for social media, like growing your following or social media revenue.

HOW TO GET STARTED WITH SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT.

I’ve told you what it is, I’ve told you some of the work involved, now I’m going to tell you how to get started.
If you are looking to begin a career as a social media manager, that’s great! There are a lot of courses out there that will teach you everything you need to know on how to be a social media manager. You’ll get some free courses that don’t really tell you anything and paid courses that tell you everything but charge so much you would need to take a loan to pay for it. The truth is some of us who start the journey do it with little to no money in our pockets and end up having to rely on free courses that leave you highly unprepared to venture into the social media marketing world.

I have a solution for all of you who fall into the category above. A course actually, yes I know but before you come for me give me a minute ok? The course is called Social Media United and before you think she’s going to sell us a course here’s the kicker it’s free! This course was created by Rachel Pederson (the queen of social media) and is designed to help those looking to venture into the career of social media management. It is very detailed and tells you everything you need to know about being a social media manager. It also gives you free tools and resources at the end of the course that you can use to kickstart your business. The course was created in 2017 so you might not see all the current trends such as TikTok but the information is so useful you won’t regret it. All it involves is you investing your time and that’s it! Amazing right? You can sign up for it and join the SMU crew!

WHY PRACTICE SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT?

1. Cost: No your marketing budget, social media management is a cost-effective initiative because a bill is drawn up according to what you want to get done. What do I mean? If you need help creating graphics and content you can go to Fiverr or Upwork and look for someone. Their rates are very affordable so you don’t have to bankrupt your business if you do not have the funds to pay for a social media manager. Even advertising offers a profitable channel for reaching your audience and building an online following. You could also hire a social media manager on Upwork or Fiverr as well.

2. Reach: Using social networks like Facebook and LinkedIn, you can connect to users all over the world and find your target customers. You can also use social media platforms like Pinterest to find niche audiences. This works for both online and physical businesses because it opens you up to so many people and helps them discover your business and products. This is very important guys, if you’re wondering why your business isn’t growing even though it is online the answer is very simple, you are not leveraging social media the way you are supposed to if you want to see results.

3. Users: This subheading is most likely a question mark for you guys cause you’re wondering how is this relevant? Hear me out first. Incorporating social media into your marketing strategy allows you to align your marketing initiatives with consumer behavior. For example, 74% of people use social media when making purchasing decisions. You most likely do it too, before you buy a product you go online and research about it. You ask your friends if they have used the product and if yes ask them about their experience.

SOCIAL PLATFORMS

As you know there are a number of social platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube, Twitter, Pinterest, Quora, Reddit, etc. I advise you to have knowledge of all these platforms but at the same time, do NOT work on all of them. Choose a minimum of one and a maximum of three and master those platforms. For example, you can choose Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn and that’s it. You do not need to divide yourself across all these platforms because the result would be you getting burned out and having little to no clients.

BEST SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT TOOLS

As a social media manager, you are going to learn and understand the value of having tools that make your work easier. There are a lot of paid and free options out there as well as options with easy navigation and those that have learning curves. I am giving you the best-recommended tools for social media managers and small business owners to help keep track of their online presence and boost content creation. I am giving you paid and unpaid tools to help you schedule content, create content, respond to comments, and more.

A few of the best social media tools include:

1. Coschedule: This is a paid tool but I tell you it is so worth it because not only does it help you schedule content but it helps you create content calendars, publish blog posts and write amazing high-converting headlines. They also have an academy that teaches you everything you need to know as a social media manager. If you are not ready to make the investment, you can take advantage of their free resources and read their blog posts. Not only are they saturated in content, but they also have free pdfs, and templates you can use to build a sustainable business. So head on over to Coschedule and sign up for their newsletter or pay for a membership.

2. Buffer: This is another tool you can use to schedule posts on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. It can help you establish a posting schedule and create a cohesive feed on Instagram. You can check them out at Buffer and explore what they have to offer.

3. Tailwind: Yes, you guessed it right, another tool to help you schedule social media posts. Yes, I have mentioned scheduling posts a lot and that is because it is very important. In order to grow on Instagram, you are required to post every day and engage as well. Imagine how hard it is to post every day and not forget! It’s bad enough you have to create a ton of content so why not make life easier for you with a nice handy scheduling tool? I mean really it beats and do you want to know the best part about this particular tool? It has a free plan! Yes, we looove freebies. With the free plan, you can do so get creative. Make sure you check out Tailwind and make the smart decision.

HOW DO I BEGIN A CAREER AS A SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER?

After all the information I gave you above this must be the question on your mind right now. If you checked out Rachel Pederson’s Social Media United course great job you obviously want this and if not go ahead and check it out since you’re not investing any money.

The first step to becoming a social media manager is to choose your niche. What is a niche? Well, this is an area of expertise or specialization. There are so many industries, are you going to offer your services to all of them? No honey don’t I absolutely advise against that. You can choose to niche into fashion, fitness, skincare, cosmetics so many ideas but I advise you to pick something you are interested in and that is profitable cause let’s face it some niches aren’t. After picking a niche, you are going to decide who your target audience is, who do you want to cater to? Is it small business owners, coaches, personal trainers? What is their gender? What is their pain point? Are they trying to get more clients or increase their social media followers? These are some of the questions you need to ask yourself when deciding on a target audience.

The second step is to learn, learn, learn! You cannot ask someone to pay you if you do not have the skills to deliver. Visit SMU and take the course. It will not give you all the information you need as a social media in today’s world but it will give you a firm foundation.

The next step is to choose your social media platforms. Recall that I said you cannot be on all the platforms at once. Why? because you’ll end up doing sloppy work and leaving your clients highly unsatisfied. An easy way to choose a platform is to look at the persona you developed for your target audience, where do they spend their time? That’s how you pick a platform.

The next step is to develop a social media strategy. This is an action plan where you map out your goals for creating content, your brand voice and so much more. I will write a post dedicated to this topic so you have an in-depth knowledge of it and how to create it.
I know I keep saying it but, the next step is to design your social media profiles. Notice that I did not say create, well the reason is simple. You most likely already have a social media profile and if you choose a platform where you do not have one listen carefully. When you create or update your social media profile, it is essential that they fit with your brand. You need to make sure that you capture your brand and what you do clearly. Your profile picture should be clear and professional, no one is asking you to take a passport headshot but make sure your face is clear unless you intend to separate yourself from your brand, then you can use a logo as your profile picture.

You’ve chosen your niche, identified your target audience, built your social media strategy, and built your profile. Now, it is time for your to build your social media content calendar. This is an important tool for a social media manager because it serves as a reference point for you. In your content calendar which would include the current month, you can view scheduled posts for your social media accounts. The calendar can also help you plan your social media posts so instead of having to come up with content ideas from scratch use the calendar instead.

Well, this was a long one, and if you stayed to the end awesome! As a treat, you get freebies from me! I am giving you guys a free niche worksheet that you can use to identify your niche. I am giving you an Ideal Customer/Target Audience Worksheet you can use to identify your target customer and as a bonus, you also get a content calendar!

Have a great day or night depending on when you’re reading this and remember to keep your face Sunnyside up.

BEST SKINCARE BRANDS FOR BEGINNERS

The world of skincare is vast and unlike popular opinion, the concept of skincare is not only to make you look prettier (though it’s an added bonus) or have glowing skin (still a plus). Do you know that a good skincare routine can help prevent skin cancer?

A good skincare routine can reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and sun damage as one grows older. It will not halt the aging process but it will definitely go a long way. It can also manage some more minor skin concerns such as dry/oily skin.

Having a skin-care routine can also be beneficial to your mental health – In what way you ask? Having a routine may help you realize how easy it can be to do nice things for your body and build healthy habits. It can also give you a sense of control and calm as you do it.

THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR BEFORE BEGINNING YOUR SKIN-CARE JOURNEY

As you begin this journey, there are certain things you need to know and understand, the first being that it is important to know your skin type. It is also important to know your reason for starting the journey, do you have any major skin concerns you want to address such as acne, dark spots, psoriasis? Or do you want better and healthier skin, these questions will go a long way and make things easier for you.

To help you determine your skin type, think about how your skin reacts without any makeup or products on it a few hours after taking a shower. If it gets a little greasy or shiny you most likely have oily skin and if it feels dry you have dry skin. If you have dry skin in some places and oily skin in others then you have something called “combination” skin and if you have neither, you’re considered to have “normal” skin.

If your skin tends to get irritated when you use certain products or if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to a product or certain skin conditions e.g. eczema you may have sensitive skin. If you still are not sure, then I would recommend you see a dermatologist.

The basic steps of a skincare routine are cleansing, moisturizing, and applying sunscreen.

Best Skincare Brands To Check out Now!

SOFFLI

Derived from the word “soulfully” and pronounced “softly”. Soffli is a US-based skincare brand that launched with this intent to provide mindful skincare products where there’s a deliberate purpose behind every single element so your skin gets everything it needs and nothing it doesn’t. They are a Leaping Bunny-certified cruelty-free and PETA-certified animal-test-free and Vegan brand.
Soffli is a non for profit brand committed to donating 100% of all profits to charities that work on supporting basic health needs for all, with a focus on underserved groups such as minorities, women, children, and animals.

I love their skincare products because not only is it clean, fresh, and quality but it is 100% natural and well suited to the needs of my skin. Their face mask is so hydrating and does the double function of detoxifying my skin leaving me with a healthy glow. The brand has only four products that makeup one’s entire skincare routine. Their products are pocket-friendly and worth it. I encourage you to try out this brand, click here to view the products and buy now!

GREEN ANGEL

This is a natural skincare brand founded in 2006 by Chris and Mary Mitchell. The brand was created with a view to making a skincare product that is well suited for sensitive and dry skin. Green Angel’s products have a holistic approach that leaves the whole body revitalized and enriched. Their products are both luxurious and natural and are made with the finest ingredients. Green Angel is not primarily a skincare brand but also specializes in hair and body care. Our focus, however, is on their skincare game.

My all-time favorite amongst their skincare products is their Seaweed and Collagen Face Cream. This cream has done wonders for my face giving me a smooth and clear glow that makes my heart sing not to mention the fact that the healing and restorative properties in this cream are amazing!

The primary ingredient is collagen and for those of you, who do not know, collagen is a powerful protein that is found in our body and helps to keep the skin supple and vibrant but as one ages the amount of collagen in their body reduces leading to wrinkles and fine lines. This extra burst of collagen will not only help increase skin elasticity but also slow down the rate of water loss and helps keep the skin supple.

The face cream also contains four types of hand-harvested organic Irish seaweed which contains vitamins and minerals. Seaweed contains vitamins A and C. It is also rich in potassium, calcium, iodine, magnesium, and iron. Seaweed is also enriched with Vitamin E which can help improve fine lines and wrinkles by providing a boost that helps the healthy growth of new skin cells. Green Angel also uses an organic blend of root and flower extract to soothe, tone, and brighten your spirit.

Have I managed to convince you? Head on over to their website and if you’re not sure buy the Seaweed and Collagen face cream cause at least you already have a clear-cut review on it. Still not sure what product you should use?
Keep reading down below.

DR.AV

You must be surprised aback by this new addition and yes I was too when I heard of it. Not only did it sound like a pharmaceutical company but it also sounds like its products contain a lot of synthetic but I am here to put your fears to rest.

Every product of DR.AV is derived from natural sources with traceable origins (what do I mean?) every element of DR.AV is recognizable and edible. They combine natural ingredients from the right sources to provide the most effective benefit for your skin perfect for any beginner to skincare.

Their products are made in small quantities so don’t expect a huge bottle of serum to arrive at your doorstep once you’ve placed your order. A bit of warning though, their products are a bit pricey but honestly worth it a 100%

For my readers who want to begin their journey to healthier, less wrinkled, and moisturized skin I suggest you try out their Transformational Anti-Aging bundle, it has a peppermint espresso scrub that simultaneously exfoliates and moisturizes. Its major ingredients which are sugar, coffee, and Himalayan pink salt removes dead skin cells and promote cellular regeneration. The cream leaves you with a healthier, glowing, revitalized, and fresh look after a single treatment, and on the plus side; it is non-comedogenic, vegan, and allergen-free. A 10 out of 10 for me.

The second is the Day serum which is designed to attack dark spots and wrinkles, reduces inflammation, and encourages cell rejuvenation to leave your skin smooth and glowing. Seriously guys you need to try this out you’ll love it.

Last but certainly not least is the Hand serum, it is the perfect blend of face and sunscreen. It penetrates the skin fast leaving it soft and moisturized but not greasy, it’s unique components help reduce UV-induced hyperpigmentation and creates a protective layer that lasts several hours.
I could go on and on about all of their products but instead, I encourage you to try them out yourself but please be guided and know not only your skin type but also any allergies you might have. Click here to buy your bundle now!

SKIN INC

Yes!!!

I’m sorry I couldn’t help myself but excuse me and I am glad you’ve read this far trust me when I started out I spent hours poring over several skincare articles looking for the perfect solution for my skin and I’m glad to say it paid off.

Skin Inc is a North American skincare and beauty company that fuses the latest technology, decades of skin-aging research, and your current environmental and lifestyle factors to determine what your skin really needs.

All of their serums boast proprietary encapsulation technology from Japan and these caviar-inspired capsules protect pure ingredients from exposure to light and oxidation, keeping them fresh and potent till the moment they are used on your skin helping you achieve maximum results.

Everything I just said up there is a background story plain and simple and now that I’ve given you the introduction, let me lead you to the “tea”.

To be honest, I have no idea where to start or what products to review for you because they are so much and that good. I will however encourage you to go to their website over here and check out what they have to offer based on your skin type or problem.

We all know I can’t leave yet (not like that) so let me introduce you to Pure Deepsea Hydrating Overnight Mask. It is a unique sleep-in transparent gel mask that hydrates clarifies, and brightens skin all in a single step. The mask contains nutrient-rich deepsea water, soya bean extracts, and hyaluronic acid for an easy-to-use, luxurious daily treatment for your skin (thank me later). On the plus side, it is great for use while traveling or when you’re on the go. It also seals in nutrients from other skincare products encouraging actual results.

Check out their website and show your skin some love.

We have come to the end of today’s session of “Tea with Winner” a top takeaway from today is, don’t put your needs on the bench just because you are afraid to try something new. You’re never going to be able to score a goal until you take a shot and your skin is never going to get better until you take the necessary actions to make it do. You are encouraged to subscribe to my newsletter for more skincare tips, tricks, myths, and facts. I will also be giving out freebies so you don’t want to miss this. Have a lovely day beautiful people and remember to always keep your face sunny side up.

DEROSE VITAMIN C SERUM+

The world of skincare is vast and comprised of many factors. There are different ways to take care of the skin these days, so much so that I struggle to keep up. Due to how wide the skincare area is, we find a lot of people both male and female (because good skin is not an option) buying too many products and ending up with no results.

Obviously, I am here to promote yet another skincare brand and even if you end up not buying the product at least you’ll be entertained for the amount of time I have your attention.

Personally, before the COVID-19 pandemic and lock-down, my skincare routine comprised of soap, water, and some regular body lotion. In all honesty, I knew absolutely nothing about skincare. I was uneducated in that aspect of my life and just in case you are wondering this post is not going to be about how I had awful skin and found this serum and my skin became amazing again and blah blah blah No!

I started this journey to become a better, healthier version of myself. I decided that if for nothing else I was going to survive the pandemic looking so much better.

I love the Derose brand and the vision they present. The Vitamin C Serum+ basically adds a burst of nutrients to your skin giving you a healthy, vibrant and youthful look.

In case you were wondering what exactly this serum can do;

It is proven to lessen wrinkles and fine lines due to its natural collagen production booster.

It helps keep your skin tighter giving you a more youthful appearance

It evens out skin tone and brightens the complexion.

Have I convinced you yet? if so click the link below to purchase your serum now, first time subscribers get a 20% discount and Free Shipping!!

Click here to be redirected to the page

I hope you enjoy this serum and if you still haven’t decided whether or not you want it, let me just tell you that the serum provided the additional benefits of protecting your skin from sun damage, reduces inflammation, and keeps your skin hydrated. Keep in mind that summer is fast approaching and while we would love to get our summer bodies on for hot girl summer, let’s also prepare our skin.

Remember, don’t just eat the nutrients but share them with your skin as well.

For more skincare tips and product reviews ensure you subscribe to my newsletter. I will also make sure to include a Freelance Start-Up guide for all aspiring freelancers. Click here to subscribe now!