How To Become A Social Media Manager With No Experience (A Story of How I Became A Social Media Manager With A Nursing Degree)

If you’ve been searching for ways on how to become a social media manager with no experience, then this blogpost is for you.

Still in celebration of my 10 years with UpWork, I’m sharing my personal story of how I became a Social Media Manager without any experience.

I finished my Nursing Degree in 2010 but took the Licensure Exam in 2011 because I was unsure if I really wanted to practice my profession.

I have volunteered in medical missions and did some part time nursing jobs (quick ones really) but I struggled to find a decent nursing job back then.

So I tried signing up on UpWork and applied for entry jobs. Research tasks, admin tasks, doing data entry, leaving comments and other tasks that didn’t require much experience.

Then I landed a writing job which was really what I wanted. Ever since I was young, I already love writing. I love writing poems, letters and journaling. I couldn’t remember the first article I wrote but I do remember writing a fantasy eBook for a client. It was tiring but worth it.

I got more writing jobs in different niches and I’ve broaden my topics from beauty, fashion to kids activities and technology.

Social media wasn’t as popular then as it is now so when businesses started to market and take over social media, more clients have been asking me to write social media captions along with the blogposts that I’ve been writing.

And that is how it all started.

From writing captions, I learned how to use tools to manage social media accounts. Then I I learned how to design graphics and animations for social media. I read a lot of articles, took up trainings and watched videos that would help me be more efficient in being a social media manager.

From a long form writer, I started to accept jobs that focused more on social media content and I have been doing it for a while now.

I couldn’t keep track of how many accounts I have handled but I have managed both big and small brands. From coaches to entrepreneurs, to big brands and small businesses, even healthcare professionals (which my Nursing Degree helped a lot!) I had the privilege of managing it all.

Today, there are a lot of Social Media Managers in the freelance world and if you want to stand out, you have to be unique in your approach.

No experience? No problem! Create your own brand and manage its social media accounts.

The best way to show a client what you’re capable of is through samples. You need to show them that you have the skills to manage their social accounts.

So if you don’t have experience, create your own brand and manage the social media accounts. You can share quotes, tips, personal stories and incorporate it with your own style.

If you have a niche you want to focus on, you can start an account about it. Say for example, you love fashion. You can start a Facebook Page and Instagram Page about Fashion Styles or Outfits and share snaps of your own outfits, fashion tips, trends and even fashion news.

The pages you’ve started can serve as your portfolio and the potential client will be able to see your work.

Read and learn. Stay on top of trends.

Social media is ever changing. The platforms, the trends, and maybe everything in general. I have been working in social media sphere for a while now and I still have LOT to learn.

The things that helped me grow the accounts last year could be the same things that are sabotaging my strategy today.

When it comes to social media, you cannot be stagnant. You have to grow with it. Embrace the beauty of learning something new every day.

I like to subscribe in newsletters because it sends news and trends straight to my email.

Be more social, obviously

Okay, I have to admit. I need to be more social too.

I’m an introvert and values my privacy but as a social media manager, you need to learn to be more social.

I may be a little quiet in my personal accounts but in the accounts I manage, I have to interact a lot.

Leave comments, follow people in your community, be active in online discussions, there’s just so many ways to be more social on social media. But it does take time so don’t let it eat most of your day.

Learn how to use Analytics/Data

This is an important one especially because clients want results. Learning how to use analytics or data would help you know what’s working and what’s not.

It’s a good thing that most, if not all, social platforms have integrated analytics now so you don’t have to use any tool.

However, it does pay to learn other tools like Supermetrics as there are some data that you can use in creating social media reports.

I learned some skills for a Social Media Analyst position for my previous work and that really helped me be more results/data-driven with the content I’m creating.

Don’t be scared to send applications, go for it!

Always be on the lookout for companies and brands that are looking for a Social Media Manager.

If you have friends who are running their own business, you can ask them if they need a social media manager and don’t be afraid to offer your services.

Being a Social Media Manager is more than just being on social media. There are skills you need to learn and master just like in every other profession. Just because you know how to use Facebook, Instagram or Twitter doesn’t mean you have everything you need to become a Social Media Manager.

Develop the needed skills, read and learn about the niche and you’re on your way to become a great Social Media Manager!