6 Ways to Build a Social Media Management Portfolio Without Clients
It’s no secret that social media management is a highly sought-after skill in today's digital age. So much so that many businesses seek professionals to help them establish and maintain a solid social media presence. Launching your own social media management agency is exciting; however, building a social media management portfolio without clients can be daunting. Fortunately, there are several ways to gain experience and showcase your skills, even if you don’t have any clients. [PS: These are all methods I used while building my business!]
Create and Manage Social Media Accounts for Personal Projects
One of the most effective ways to gain social media management experience is to create and manage social media accounts for personal projects. This could be a blog, a YouTube channel, or an online store. You can practice creating and curating content, engaging with followers, and analyzing performance metrics by creating social media accounts for personal projects. This will help you gain valuable experience while also providing you with content to showcase your skills to potential clients.
Volunteer to Manage Social Media for Nonprofit Organizations
Nonprofit organizations often need social media management help but may need more money to hire someone. This is an excellent opportunity to offer your services as a volunteer. By working with nonprofit organizations, you can gain valuable experience while contributing to a good cause. This can be a win-win situation as you simultaneously build your portfolio and help a worthy organization. Being able to work with an organization around a large-scale event was especially helpful to me later on when working with clients that were launching programs and products so be on the look-out for large fundraising events happening in your area!
Participate in Social Media Challenges and Competitions
Social media challenges and competitions can provide excellent opportunities to demonstrate your creativity and social media skills. There have been several online challenges, such as the 30-Day Social Media Challenge or the Instagram Photo Challenge, that you can participate in and share your results on your social media accounts. This will help you showcase your skills and attract potential clients. Can’t find a challenge - create your own! Commit to posting a new graphic twice a week or a reel a day about what it is that you are up to!
Create and Share Social Media Content on Your Personal Accounts
Creating and sharing social media content on your personal accounts is another effective way to showcase your skills. You can create content, such as graphics, videos, and blog posts, and use hashtags to increase visibility. Doing this lets you demonstrate your skills to potential clients and attract their attention. You could also do this for friends and family!
Offer Free Social Media Audits or Consultations
Offering free social media audits or consultations is an excellent way to gain experience and build your portfolio. You can reach out to local businesses and offer to review their social media accounts and provide recommendations for improvement. This will help you gain valuable experience while also providing you with content to showcase your skills to potential clients. Bonus points as you’re networking in the process!
Attend Social Media Workshops and Conferences
Attending social media workshops and conferences can help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in social media management. This can also provide networking opportunities and help you connect with potential clients. By attending workshops and conferences, you can learn from experts in the field, gain new skills, and build your portfolio. BTW - these don’t have to cost money to be valuable. Some of my favorite social media conferences have been free such as ClickUp’s Level Up and Canva’s Create. Don’t forget that you can also always leverage blogs - like Later or Hootsuite - to stay up-to-date.
Remember, this could take time! Building a social media management portfolio without clients requires creativity, persistence, and a willingness to take on projects that may not offer immediate financial rewards. By leveraging the 6 ideas discussed in this blog post, you can build a robust social media management portfolio that showcases your skills and experience. With time, effort, and dedication, you WILL attract potential clients and build a successful career in social media management. ✨
Looking to get started? Download this FREE customizable Social Media Management Portfolio Template and get going!
