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What is the easiest way to get your foot in the door for business marketing/social media marketing.?
What is the easiest way to get your foot in the door for business marketing/social media marketing?
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12 answers
yoonji KIM
CareerVillage.org TeamDirector of Operations at CareerVillage.org
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yoonji’s Answer, CareerVillage.org Team
Hi Sydney!
Great question. I would +1 Hasan's comment about contacting business and offering your services as a social media consultant/freelancer. I would specifically mention that many nonprofits are stretched quite thin and are always looking for support with their social media efforts. If there is a cause or mission like saving the environment, helping senior dogs get adopted, or providing services to unhoused people, I would suggest reaching out to organizations in cause areas of interest so that you can merge your passions with building up your hard skills! (You can always keep an eye out for CareerVillage's Community Operations Internship openings, as we are often looking for an intern to help us with our social media efforts!)
While you're looking for opportunities, I would also do the following.
- Make sure to clean up your social media presence (but still show your personality!) so that it's presentable to prospective employers.
- Build up your skills with video and graphic design. Extend your range of skills.
- Learn more about social media analytics (e.g. likes, follows, impressions, reach, etc.). Your future employer will want to know how the social posts are doing!
- Take free classes on marketing on different marketing platforms. Marketing on LinkedIn is different from Instagram. Know the differences!
- Keep an eye on the latest trends in social media and marketing. You can do this by signing up for free newsletters and informative events from social media companies like HootSuite and others!
Great question. I would +1 Hasan's comment about contacting business and offering your services as a social media consultant/freelancer. I would specifically mention that many nonprofits are stretched quite thin and are always looking for support with their social media efforts. If there is a cause or mission like saving the environment, helping senior dogs get adopted, or providing services to unhoused people, I would suggest reaching out to organizations in cause areas of interest so that you can merge your passions with building up your hard skills! (You can always keep an eye out for CareerVillage's Community Operations Internship openings, as we are often looking for an intern to help us with our social media efforts!)
While you're looking for opportunities, I would also do the following.
- Make sure to clean up your social media presence (but still show your personality!) so that it's presentable to prospective employers.
- Build up your skills with video and graphic design. Extend your range of skills.
- Learn more about social media analytics (e.g. likes, follows, impressions, reach, etc.). Your future employer will want to know how the social posts are doing!
- Take free classes on marketing on different marketing platforms. Marketing on LinkedIn is different from Instagram. Know the differences!
- Keep an eye on the latest trends in social media and marketing. You can do this by signing up for free newsletters and informative events from social media companies like HootSuite and others!
Updated
Sharon’s Answer
Sometimes it helps to start working with a small local business and helping them to do their marketing! Then you can apply to larger companies with the experience you get. To prepare for your first job, be aware and pay close attention to ways people attract customers and attention to their company--online and other ways!
Updated
Kristine’s Answer
Hi Sydney,
I had no idea what marketing even entailed until I took a class in college and I was HOOKED. Here are some steps I took to get my career rolling.
1- Network, network, network. Look up companies that you admire and start connecting with executives in marketing there. Ask them about their day. Even better if the companies are local and you can meet face to face. Keep the relationship going as you progress through school, projects, and your career. Pick their brains and build a rapport.
2- Shadow. Reach out to local businesses and ask to shadow their marketing managers for a week.
3- Intern. I bet there are tons of local marketing and advertising businesses in your community. They likely won't be posting "official" intern positions. Reach out, tell them your interested. Are they not hiring? An unpaid internship is still a resume builder and great way to gain experience. (Unpopular opinion to go unpaid internship, I get that, but if you can even do a few hours a day, it'd be worth it in the long run)
I had no idea what marketing even entailed until I took a class in college and I was HOOKED. Here are some steps I took to get my career rolling.
1- Network, network, network. Look up companies that you admire and start connecting with executives in marketing there. Ask them about their day. Even better if the companies are local and you can meet face to face. Keep the relationship going as you progress through school, projects, and your career. Pick their brains and build a rapport.
2- Shadow. Reach out to local businesses and ask to shadow their marketing managers for a week.
3- Intern. I bet there are tons of local marketing and advertising businesses in your community. They likely won't be posting "official" intern positions. Reach out, tell them your interested. Are they not hiring? An unpaid internship is still a resume builder and great way to gain experience. (Unpopular opinion to go unpaid internship, I get that, but if you can even do a few hours a day, it'd be worth it in the long run)
Thanks for the help.
Sydney
Updated
anahi’s Answer
Getting started in business marketing or social media marketing can be facilitated through several strategies. Here's a straightforward approach to get your foot in the door:
1. **Educate Yourself:**
- Learn the basics of marketing and social media. Familiarize yourself with popular platforms, trends, and marketing strategies. Online courses, blogs, and industry publications can be valuable resources.
2. **Build a Personal Brand:**
- Create a professional online presence. Develop a LinkedIn profile showcasing your skills, experiences, and interest in marketing. Consistency in your personal brand can make a positive impression.
3. **Gain Practical Experience:**
- Apply your knowledge by managing social media accounts for yourself or others. Volunteer to handle social media for a local business, a nonprofit, or a friend's project. Practical experience is invaluable.
4. **Create a Portfolio:**
- Showcase your work in a portfolio. Highlight any successful campaigns, social media content, or marketing materials you've created. This serves as tangible evidence of your skills.
5. **Networking:**
- Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups to network with professionals in the marketing field. Connect with people on LinkedIn and express your interest in gaining experience.
6. **Internships or Entry-Level Positions:**
- Apply for internships or entry-level positions in marketing. These roles provide hands-on experience and a chance to learn from professionals in the field.
7. **Online Presence:**
- Create and curate content related to marketing on your social media channels. Engage with relevant communities and demonstrate your passion for the industry.
8. **Certifications:**
- Consider obtaining certifications in digital marketing or social media. Certifications can enhance your credibility and showcase your commitment to professional development.
9. **Stay Informed:**
- Keep yourself updated on industry trends, algorithm changes, and new tools. Being knowledgeable about the latest developments demonstrates your dedication to the field.
10. **Apply for Freelance Gigs:**
- Explore freelance platforms where businesses look for marketing assistance. Building a freelance portfolio can lead to more opportunities and networking connections.
11. **Show Creativity:**
- Demonstrate your creativity by creating sample marketing materials or campaigns for fictional companies. This can showcase your skills and creative thinking to potential employers.
Remember, persistence is key. Stay proactive, showcase your skills, and be open to learning as you start your journey in business marketing or social media marketing.
1. **Educate Yourself:**
- Learn the basics of marketing and social media. Familiarize yourself with popular platforms, trends, and marketing strategies. Online courses, blogs, and industry publications can be valuable resources.
2. **Build a Personal Brand:**
- Create a professional online presence. Develop a LinkedIn profile showcasing your skills, experiences, and interest in marketing. Consistency in your personal brand can make a positive impression.
3. **Gain Practical Experience:**
- Apply your knowledge by managing social media accounts for yourself or others. Volunteer to handle social media for a local business, a nonprofit, or a friend's project. Practical experience is invaluable.
4. **Create a Portfolio:**
- Showcase your work in a portfolio. Highlight any successful campaigns, social media content, or marketing materials you've created. This serves as tangible evidence of your skills.
5. **Networking:**
- Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups to network with professionals in the marketing field. Connect with people on LinkedIn and express your interest in gaining experience.
6. **Internships or Entry-Level Positions:**
- Apply for internships or entry-level positions in marketing. These roles provide hands-on experience and a chance to learn from professionals in the field.
7. **Online Presence:**
- Create and curate content related to marketing on your social media channels. Engage with relevant communities and demonstrate your passion for the industry.
8. **Certifications:**
- Consider obtaining certifications in digital marketing or social media. Certifications can enhance your credibility and showcase your commitment to professional development.
9. **Stay Informed:**
- Keep yourself updated on industry trends, algorithm changes, and new tools. Being knowledgeable about the latest developments demonstrates your dedication to the field.
10. **Apply for Freelance Gigs:**
- Explore freelance platforms where businesses look for marketing assistance. Building a freelance portfolio can lead to more opportunities and networking connections.
11. **Show Creativity:**
- Demonstrate your creativity by creating sample marketing materials or campaigns for fictional companies. This can showcase your skills and creative thinking to potential employers.
Remember, persistence is key. Stay proactive, showcase your skills, and be open to learning as you start your journey in business marketing or social media marketing.
Updated
Ben’s Answer
Getting your foot in the door starts with practicing posting all types of posts and content, knowing best practices and showing that you know how to present results. This is especially true for any paid social media. If you are confident in your social media marketing skills, regardless of your overall experience, then it will show in interviews. Fortunately, social media marketing is a great entry level role. It is also a great way to be a contractor or start your own business, in which you start expanding your network of contacts and reach out to those who can connect you to businesses needing your help. You can also go around your community and help small businesses. Be ready to answer the question about your rates!
Updated
Patrick’s Answer
You can take a few different routes:
1. Start focusing on your own social media: this will sharpen your content creation skills and build a portfolio for yourself.
2. Start a small business: social media is crucial to launch any business and this is a great way to get some experience under your belt while also building a business to generate some income for yourself!
3. Find an existing business with poor social media presence: it's easy to look up local businesses around you and see who doesn't have much of a social media presence. Can you help them build a TikTok account? Can you get them set up on Google maps, Facebook, Twitter, etc? You can create a package that costs $X to get it set up or you can charge by the hour. Again, this will sharpen your skillset and all of the skills needed are easily self-taught. The reason business owners will be inclined to hire you is because they are simply too swamped managing the day to day of their business and don't have time to run their own social media.
4. Intern or volunteer: this is a great way to get a placement at larger companies, which can usually turn to full-time employment if you prove you are skilled at your craft.
1. Start focusing on your own social media: this will sharpen your content creation skills and build a portfolio for yourself.
2. Start a small business: social media is crucial to launch any business and this is a great way to get some experience under your belt while also building a business to generate some income for yourself!
3. Find an existing business with poor social media presence: it's easy to look up local businesses around you and see who doesn't have much of a social media presence. Can you help them build a TikTok account? Can you get them set up on Google maps, Facebook, Twitter, etc? You can create a package that costs $X to get it set up or you can charge by the hour. Again, this will sharpen your skillset and all of the skills needed are easily self-taught. The reason business owners will be inclined to hire you is because they are simply too swamped managing the day to day of their business and don't have time to run their own social media.
4. Intern or volunteer: this is a great way to get a placement at larger companies, which can usually turn to full-time employment if you prove you are skilled at your craft.
Updated
Rachel’s Answer
Outside internships, there are also volunteer opportunities. Many volunteer groups need help with social media and you can develop your skills and have relevant experience to add to your resume.
Updated
Katie’s Answer
Hi Sydney,
Great question! Networking is huge - think through your family and friends but also their expanded network. Do you love a local coffee shop and frequent there often? Let them know you're interested in this career path and see if they are open to assistance. Start small and see where you can find opportunities. This will also help you determine how much you enjoy this field as well. Internships are also great.
If you're specifically interested in social media, use your platforms to make connections and get a foot in the door. Follow businesses and try to engage with them on social to build relationships.
Good luck!
Great question! Networking is huge - think through your family and friends but also their expanded network. Do you love a local coffee shop and frequent there often? Let them know you're interested in this career path and see if they are open to assistance. Start small and see where you can find opportunities. This will also help you determine how much you enjoy this field as well. Internships are also great.
If you're specifically interested in social media, use your platforms to make connections and get a foot in the door. Follow businesses and try to engage with them on social to build relationships.
Good luck!
Updated
Hasan’s Answer
The easiest way to get your foot in the door for business marketing/social media marketing is to start small. Begin by creating a profile on popular social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Connect with people in your industry, share relevant content, and join relevant groups. Build relationships by engaging with people’s content and offering valuable advice. You can also create blog posts, eBooks, infographics, or other content to help establish your expertise. Finally, reach out to businesses and offer your services as a social media consultant or freelancer.
Updated
Doug’s Answer
Start doing it for yourself. Generate your own content looking for business.
Also check out Gary Vee on YouTube (and many other platforms)
Anything I write is influenced by his output.
Also check out Gary Vee on YouTube (and many other platforms)
Anything I write is influenced by his output.
Updated
Chloe’s Answer
Intern at a digital marketing agency. I wish this had been available for me back in the day. I see so many successful social media managers come out of agency programs. They are designed to set you up for success as the agency usually has a goal of promoting you to run client accounts. Some are paid interships while you're in school and many agencies offer entry level programs once you graduate.
Updated
Nancy’s Answer
To kickstart your journey in business or social media marketing, it's crucial to establish a robust personal brand online. Here's a straightforward guide:
Highlight Your Abilities: Develop a professional online persona and share valuable marketing insights, case studies or your own triumphs. Social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok are excellent for disseminating your wisdom and connecting with potential customers.
Provide Complimentary Services: Begin by offering free consultations or audits to small businesses to demonstrate your proficiency. This strategy will foster trust and generate recommendations.
Connect with Others: Participate in online groups and go to industry gatherings to mingle with potential clients and fellow professionals. Word-of-mouth referrals are often the fastest way to grow your clientele.
Utilize Freelance Websites: Platforms like Upwork or Fiverr can aid you in acquiring your initial clients and building a portfolio. Even as a beginner, a handful of well-executed projects can attract more business.
Highlight Your Abilities: Develop a professional online persona and share valuable marketing insights, case studies or your own triumphs. Social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok are excellent for disseminating your wisdom and connecting with potential customers.
Provide Complimentary Services: Begin by offering free consultations or audits to small businesses to demonstrate your proficiency. This strategy will foster trust and generate recommendations.
Connect with Others: Participate in online groups and go to industry gatherings to mingle with potential clients and fellow professionals. Word-of-mouth referrals are often the fastest way to grow your clientele.
Utilize Freelance Websites: Platforms like Upwork or Fiverr can aid you in acquiring your initial clients and building a portfolio. Even as a beginner, a handful of well-executed projects can attract more business.