Social Media: You Get PAID For That?
Yes. Yes, I Do. Be Jealous.
No, seriously…you know this is how a lot of people still see social media!
“You do that for a living?”
I was fortunate to be way ahead of the social media curve because I’ve been working with young people (teens, young adults) since 2003. MySpace was how we communicated. I used Blogger to keep my family updated on what homeschooling looked like in our home, and Xanga to talk about what life was like in the world of youth ministry.
I moved over to Facebook when some of my younger friends went on to college and switched over to a more “adult” platform. (I called Facebook “The White Pages,” and hated the lack of ability to customize my profile.)
One day in late 2009, I realized what an opportunity I had been trained for. I looked at Scott and said, “Why aren’t I doing these things for New England Multimedia?” And it began.
I love telling my friends “I get paid to do this.” I don’t think they believe me.
How did you get your social media training? Where were you in the “early” days of social media, and what were you using it for?
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Michelle,
It is funny when you see the reactions of your friend’s, or people’s faces when even I tell them (at 13) that I get paid to show people how to do this and for business and consult ;)
Now – this stuff is being incorporated into our daily lives, where people can now tweet using a voice microphone and respond by talking to it.
-Lane
Lane, thanks for commenting! I’m a big fan. :O)
I saw some tweets a while back about tweeting via voice. Crazy! What a great moment in history we’re living in, when the growth in technology and tools has leveled the playing field for businesses of all sizes. I remember when the only way to market to people outside your neighborhood was through print, TV and radio, and the cost was prohibitive for most.
Social media has changed the whole game.
Michelle, Love the comic.. Dilbert has had some good one’s lately (I used one a few weeks ago). It is funny.. and scary that some people still look at what we do that way. Marketing, PR and social media have that little voodoo X factor thing, but it’s real work. I’m still working on the getting paid thing, and part of that is showing clients results. Thanks for the laugh, appreciate the humor.
Davina, thanks for your comment!
Social media has completely transformed New England Multimedia’s sales and marketing strategy. 100% of our projects are now secured via word-of-mouth referrals from happy clients, direct calls from businesses who’ve discovered us through social media or our website, and referrals from other service providers I’ve built relationships with on Twitter and Facebook. We’re so busy, we’re considering hiring employees for the first time, rather than employing independent contractors.
It’s definitely work, but wow, is it fun! It beats the heck out of making cold calls!
Another excellent post! I’m trying to get paid for Social Media at this point. Setting up interns is something I hadn’t thought of! I’d like to learn more about that..tat could be the missing link for me.
Brad, thank-you, as always, for your encouragement!
Just came out of a great meeting with two marketing pros, and we talked about social media interns. We’re considering bringing one in myself, to take over a couple of social media duties I just don’t have time for. A lot of companies don’t yet understand social media and the power and impact of this marketing medium. They have to try it to see the value, and interns are hungry to prove themselves.
Good suggestions! I am not in a start-up mode right now, lack of confidence perhaps, but mostly because I like working with someone else – feed off positive energy.
Must ponder…you are thought provoking!!!
Love the cartoon and the sentiments that you love what you do AND get paid?! Awesome!
I love what I do and am not getting paid, yet…
Maybe some day someone will appreciate my writing and Social Media skills enough to hire me as a consultant – we’ll see!
Keep up the great work!!!!
Thanks, Priscilla! With your skills, have you considered starting an agency that sets up social media interns with companies? Perhaps travel companies?
My social media endeavors bring in leads and referrals that keep New England Multimedia cranking, and I’m not even doing all I should be doing yet. Crazy how this all worked out, isn’t it?