How to freelance as a Social Media Content Creator - Six key steps

Have you been dreaming about ditching your nine-to-five and going solo to live the freelance lifestyle as a social media content creator? 

If you have then today’s your lucky day, as we’re about to explain the six solid steps towards charting your own path in the land of social media content creation. 

The demand for skilled freelance content creators has surged as businesses recognise the immense value that authentic and engaging content adds to their digital marketing, and how it helps them connect with their audience.  

Before we look at the steps involved in freelancing as a social media content creator, let’s get a picture of exactly what you’d be doing and some vocational prerequisites.

What does a Social Media Content Creator do and what skills do they need?

As with all forms of digital marketing the overarching goal for companies sharing social content is to draw customers into a sales-funnel and generate leads. In order to do this for them you will be performing a few core tasks/activities, which require several key skills. 

Daily tasks include:

• Creating different forms of posts for product launches and promotion, special offers, PR or news updates, sharing blog articles, videos and other thought- leadership content, personal content from the CEO or in-house team.

• Scheduling posts according to a well-balanced calendar/posting timeline.

• Optimising posts using hashtags, mentions, tags, and different post formats.

• Researching news-breaking and trending content, and analysing competitor content streams.

• Using a varied range of tools like Canva, Photoshop, Hootsuite, Feedly, Buzzsumo, Hubspot, Meltwater, Talkwalker to do all the content creation, research and management tasks listed above.

Skills and knowledge you need includes:

• Copywriting and a good standard of English.
• Social content strategy writing and planning. 
• An understanding of branding and tone-of-voice.
• A working technical knowledge of various social media platforms.
• Customer service and PR skills.
• A knowledge of influencer marketing. 
• An ability to use analytics tools to create and present reports.

So, as you can see, being an effective social content creator demands a wide range of expertise, high-level marketing skills and hard-work! Wondering what other ways a creative can make money online? Check out our article for how to make money writing online!
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Essential steps to get you thriving as a freelance content creator

1. Choosing your niche

The first step in freelancing is to pick a niche. Specialising in a particular industry or subject matter allows you to become an expert and attract clients seeking specific expertise. 

Whether it's fashion, technology, travel, or fitness, focusing on a niche helps you stand out from the competition. Consider your passions, skills, previous experience and market demand when selecting your niche. Researching popular trends and identifying gaps in the market can also guide your decision.

To identify your niche, ask yourself:

• What topics am I passionate about?
• What industries am I knowledgeable in?
• Where is there a growing demand for content?

2. Building a portfolio

As a freelance content creator a strong portfolio is your showcase of your skills, creativity, and ability to deliver results. 

• Curate a collection of your best work, including case studies, client testimonials, and sample content. 

• Highlight the impact your content has had on previous clients' social media growth and engagement by including relevant statistics. 

• Platforms like Behance, LinkedIn, and your own website are excellent for hosting your portfolio. Make sure your portfolio is visually appealing and easy to navigate.

Tip: If you don’t have much experience, start a social channel about a topic you are interested in. It doesn’t matter if it’s not monetised, it’s still tangible evidence you can build a successful social channel.

Check out these social media content creator portfolios that absolutely rock for inspiration.

3. Setting Up Your Business

Now it’s time to get serious and actually form and register your real-life freelance business. This involves legal and financial considerations.

You can choose to operate as a Sole Trader or Ltd Company. Most freelancers choose sole tradership as it’s much simpler and easier. 

To become a Sole Trader you essentially just need to select a business name and register for Self Assessment with HMRC. To start a Ltd Company requires company formation and a much more complicated registration process. 

• Open a dedicated business bank account to separate your personal and business finances. 

• Familiarise yourself with tax obligations and learn the basics of business finance like invoicing, record-keeping and tax returns. 

• Consider using dedicated Sole Trader accounting software asking an online accountant for guidance.

4. Finding clients

Building a client base is the hardest part of any freelance career. Networking and marketing are the keys to unlocking opportunities.

Some efficient actions to take are: 

• Attend industry events, conferences, meetups, and online communities to connect with other marketing professionals and potential clients. 

• Leverage LinkedIn to display your expertise and achievements, and to connect with CEOs and Marketing Managers. As they control budgets and are the people that will hire you.

• Reach out to digital agencies and let them know about your services. Agencies are where companies usually go first for marketing support, so they can be a good source of work. 

• Check job sites and find companies advertising in-house social media positions. Contact them and ask if they would consider a freelancer for the role.

• Look for start-ups on Growth List that have just received funding and hence might be hiring marketing staff. Contact them to ask if you can help with social media.

Tips on online and offline networking: 

• Believe it or not this doesn’t always need to be a superficial activity. Try to make genuine connections. You don’t have to ‘sell yourself’,  just let people know what you do in a natural, informal manner.

• When connecting online via email or social media, learn how to approach and write outreach messages properly. Be up front, but never come across as if you want something.

5. Pricing your services

Determining your rates is a balancing act. Hourly rates, project-based fees, and retainer agreements are common pricing models. Be prepared to negotiate with clients and justify your rates based on the value you bring. Having credible and impressive statistics to show can strengthen your bargaining position.

How much you should charge depends on the size of the business and what you are delivering to them. This ranges from £300 per month for basic strategy, posting and engagement to £3000 per month for full, comprehensive social media management including advertising, pay-per-click and elaborate media/graphic design.

We recommend checking what marketing agencies charge for social media services and slightly undercutting them. 

6. Creating high-quality content

It goes without saying that the core of your business is creating exceptional content - ‘content is king’ after all, as the old saying goes. Hopefully you already know what the main elements of good content are. But stay updated on the latest trends, algorithms, and platform features. 

Go the extra mile to optimise, fact-check and proofread whenever possible. Tools like Grammarly can ensure attention to detail is top notch. Your clients might not always thank you for your professional standards and quality control, but you can be sure it’ll keep them coming back to you with more work.

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To your social success!

Working as a freelance social media content creator can be rewarding and fulfilling. By defining your niche, building a strong portfolio, and establishing a solid business foundation, you'll be well-equipped for success. 

Remember, consistency, creativity, and a deep understanding of your audience are key to thriving in this dynamic field. Don't be afraid to experiment, learn from your mistakes, and adapt to the constantly changing social media landscape. 

With dedication and perseverance, you can build a thriving freelance career and bring a significant boost to your clients' businesses.

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