Running The Show

There needs to be clear communication between social media manager and client. Make it clear from the start that your job is impossible without access to their accounts, but create reassurances that giving you control is safe.

This can be accomplished by creating a written agreement that any accounts you create for the client will be turned over on completion of the job complete with usernames and passwords, and the understanding that any accounts they grant you access to will have the password changed after your job is done and you will no longer access them.

Once you land a client, already be looking forward to keeping them. Create social media packages to offer ongoing support. Depending on the number of accounts they have, you can easily charge anywhere from $300-$800 per month to manage a company’s social media presence. Turning a one-off client into an ongoing customer can often be easily done by presenting them with a list of actions that should be taken on a daily, weekly or monthly basis – then telling them how much you would charge to take the responsibility and hassle off of their hands!

Payment for social media management services should be through escrow on an approved platform for jobs acquired through freelance marketplaces, or via PayPal or business check. Half up front and half on completion is often a good method for small one-off jobs. Request payment up front if possible for every month of service delivered when you do month-to month-contracts.

If you do bill after services are completed, have a written contract to protect your time investment. Specify how quickly you expect to be paid (some companies will try to tell you they pay all their vendors on a 60 or 90 day net – you can agree to this and wait for your money, or make it part of the agreement that you are to be paid immediately upon completion, or within 10 or 15 days, etc.)

If you are creating accounts, write it into the contract that control of the accounts will not be handed over until payment is received. If you are creating content, make it clear that you possess copyright until final payment is made. These little details can help keep you from doing a month’s worth of work then being left unpaid for your efforts.