I’ve been learning social media marketing theory for the past 3 months, and now I feel ready to start applying what I’ve learned. However, since I don’t own a business, I’m unsure how to put my skills into practice. Should I create mock products or campaigns to test my knowledge, or is there a better way to gain hands-on experience as a learner? I’d appreciate any advice or suggestions.
From my experience, after finishing the learning phase, I started posting and engaging on LinkedIn. I landed my first client at a lower rate to gain experience, then signed another one. You’ve got to dive in and put your knowledge to the test. As you build your portfolio with results, you can gradually increase your rates.
You could try freelancing on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork to start getting clients and hands-on experience.
You could reach out to local small businesses or non-profits and offer your services for free to gain real-world experience and start building your portfolio. It’s also a great way to network and make connections in your community. If they like your work, you might even get paid gigs later on. Just make sure to set clear expectations about what you’re offering.
Look for a good mentor.
Just “fake it till you make it.” If they ask if you’ve done it before, be honest and say you haven’t, but project confidence like you have. People will trust you about 50% of the time based on that confidence.
The best way to gain hands-on experience is to offer your services to small businesses, local shops, or friends who need help with social media. You could also volunteer to manage social accounts for nonprofits or build a personal brand around a topic you love. Creating mock campaigns for imaginary brands can still be valuable for your portfolio if those options aren’t available. Real-world experience, even if it’s unpaid at first, will teach you much more than just theory.