Dishing Up Digital with Ellen Mackenzie | Social Media Management & Strategy

Episode Rewind: Can You Become a Social Media Manager With No Experience?

Oct 6, 2024

Explore how to kickstart a career in social media management, even if you're starting from scratch. Discover why hands-on experience is more valuable than formal qualifications. Learn key insights on pricing yourself appropriately as a beginner. Hear personal stories of transitioning careers and gaining clients. Plus, get practical tips for gaining essential experience in the field. This is a treasure trove for anyone eager to dive into the dynamic world of social media!

30:02

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Quick takeaways

Hands-on experience is more valuable than formal qualifications for aspiring social media managers looking to build credibility.

Targeting smaller businesses can provide essential opportunities for newcomers to secure their first clients and gain practical experience.

Deep dives

Starting Without Experience

It is entirely possible to become a social media manager without prior experience. The journey typically begins with a willingness to learn and a proactive approach to gaining knowledge, which can often be found through free online resources like videos and blogs. As many in the field have discovered, hands-on experience is gained by starting small, whether through internships or assisting established social media managers. A strong commitment to personal development and self-education can greatly enhance one's ability to secure clients, even without formal qualifications.

The Path to Becoming a Social Media Manager: Experience Not Required

30min

NOTE: This episode was originally uploaded in August 2021.

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Yes! Another Rewind episode, but this was so popular and also happens to be one I still send to people when they ask me anything about needing experience in my dms. It's had a bit of editing done to the episode, but I still think you'll get a lot out of it today!

When I decided that I'd like to become a social media manager, I didn't think I would start my own agency or become a freelancer. I felt I needed to find a corporate job where I start as an in-house Social Media Manager. In today's episode, we're going to dive deep into this topic. I'm going to talk about how I got started, how I changed careers and got my first few clients, and how I built that up into a full-time gig. I'm also going to give you some tips and advice if you are in a position where you want to move into social media management, and you're trying to get your feet off the ground and get started.

In this episode, you'll discover...

Pricing yourself as a beginner vs. pricing yourself as an experienced social media manager
The perks of starting in social media management compared to other industries
Why hands-on experience trumps a degree or qualification as a social media manager
Different ways to get hands-on experience when you're starting out

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Have a great week guys!
Ellen xx

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