Social Media Manager Confidential

Your portfolio is beautiful. Your case studies are organized. Your screenshots are perfectly curated. So why aren't potential clients reaching out?

If you're tired of having amazing work that somehow isn't translating into consistent bookings—or if you're exhausted from pitching clients who should already see your value—this episode will shift how you think about your portfolio entirely.

I'm sharing the exact 3-strategy framework that's helped me avoid cold pitching for over 6 years. Instead of chasing clients and convincing them I'm qualified, they come to me already sold on what I can...

You’ve been told to “show your value with data”—but what happens when the data still doesn’t land?

If you’re a social media manager or service provider who’s ever sent a beautifully designed report only to get silence (or worse, confusion) in return, this episode is going to feel like a deep exhale.

We’re unpacking the real reason most client reporting falls flat—and how to create reports that don’t just show numbers, but build trust.

Inside, Shanté shares the exact framework Sugarpunch use...

Feeling like you're building your agency on vibes and caffeine?

You're not alone. The first few years of running a social media management business can feel like nonstop improvising—especially when no one talks about the behind-the-scenes mistakes we all make.

In this anniversary episode, Shanté reflects on 7 real mistakes made while building Sugarpunch Marketing from scratch—and shares exactly what she’d do differently if she were starting over today.

You’ll walk away with:

You’re posting. You’re showing up. But the clients? Still quiet.

If your content looks polished but doesn’t convert, you’re not alone—and you’re not doing it wrong. You might just be building content like a creator, not a strategist.

In this episode, Shanté breaks down the 7 most common content strategy mistakes she sees across industries—mistakes that drain your time, cloud your messaging, and keep your audience stuck at “interested” instead of “ready to work with you.”

You’ll learn:

If content approvals are slowing you down, stressing you out, or making you want to chuck your calendar out the window—this one’s for you.

In this episode, I’m sharing the exact approval workflows I’ve built inside my agency to reduce back-and-forth, keep clients on track, and finally stop chasing feedback. You’ll hear what actually works (and what doesn’t), why we ditched scattered approvals forever, and how to choose the right tool—Canva or ClickUp—based on your business stage.

We’ll cover:

Your systems should support your creativity—not drain it.

In this episode, I’m sharing the exact tech stack I use to run Sugarpunch Marketing®—from client calls and content scheduling to community building and automations. Whether you're just starting out or scaling your agency, this toolkit is full of practical solutions (plus a few time-saving secrets).

Inside this episode:

Let’s talk about one of the most confusing parts of marketing—for both clients and social media managers: How much should social media management actually cost?

In this episode, I’m breaking down the wide range of pricing in the industry—from $500 freelancers to $10,000+ full-service agencies—and exactly what you’re getting at each level. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re overpaying, undercharging, or just not sure how to pick the right support for your stage of business, this one’s for you.

You’ll learn:

Let’s talk about one of the most stressful parts of being a social media manager—clients asking for results when your metrics look flat.

If you've ever heard, “Why are my likes down?” or “When will I see sales from this?” then this episode is for you. Because flat engagement doesn’t always mean failure—and you need to know how to explain that with confidence.

In this episode, I’m giving you the tools to:

Thinking of hiring a social media manager? Or trying to figure out how to position yourself as the right choice for potential clients?

In this episode, we’re breaking down what business owners actually look for when hiring social media support—and how social media managers can use that insight to stand out in a crowded market.

Whether you’re a founder looking to outsource content or an SMM trying to grow your client base, you’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of how to find (or become) the right fit.

If you’ve been quietly wondering if you’re the only social media manager struggling to book clients lately—you’re not. This episode is a real talk moment for SMMs who are feeling stuck, questioning their services, or just plain exhausted from chasing full-service management leads that aren’t converting.

In this episode, I’m walking you through:

Are you tracking the wrong social media metrics? → Most social media managers and content strategists focus on likes, followers, and reach—but those don’t pay the bills. If you want to turn your content into real business growth, you need to focus on the right KPIs (key performance indicators).

In this video, we’re breaking down:

• The REAL social media ROI—what actually drives leads & sales

• The KPIs that matter (and the ones to stop obsessing over)

• How to measure success beyond vanity metrics

• The simple KPI shifts that can improve y...

More content ≠ more clients. If you’re stuck in the content grind but not seeing results, it’s time to rethink your content marketing strategy. In this episode, I’m breaking down why posting more won’t grow your business—and what actually will.

Learn how to turn content into clients with a strategic content funnel that works for both low-ticket and high-ticket offers.

TOPICS COVERED:

• Why posting more won’t get you sales

• How to create a content funnel that nurtures your audience

• The secret to content management that works for you<...

Tired of getting engagement but no sales? → In this episode, I’ll show you how to turn “just looking” followers into paying clients using a buyer journey content strategy.

Most social media managers and marketers focus on visibility—but without the right content strategy, your audience won’t convert.

Learn the 4 content stages that move people from interest to investment and start seeing real results from your content.

TOPICS COVERED:

• The buyer journey strategy for social media marketing

• How to move your audience from curiosity → commitment

• What type of content conv...

Content pillars keeping you stuck? → In this episode, we’re breaking down why content pillars aren’t getting you clients and what to do instead.

You’ll learn how to build a content marketing strategy that moves your audience from social media followers to paying clients using a buyer-focused approach.

Stop posting just to post—start creating content that actually converts.

TOPICS COVERED:

• Why content pillars don’t work for most small businesses

• How to create a content strategy that brings in leads

• The secret to building a content machine...

🚨 Thinking about growing from a solo freelancer to a social media agency owner? Let’s talk about what it actually takes.

Scaling your social media business doesn’t just mean hiring a team—it means stepping into a completely different role. If you’re feeling overworked, turning down clients, or wondering how to grow without burning out, this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔ How to know if you’re ready to scale (or if another path is better!)

✔ Why an agency isn’t your only option—and other ways...

🚨 If you’re posting on social media but not getting sales, your content strategy is broken.

Social media should be bringing in clients—not just engagement. But if your audience isn’t converting, it’s because you don’t have a content funnel guiding them toward buying.

In this episode of Social Media Manager Confidential, I’m breaking down:

✔ What a content funnel is & why your business needs one

✔ The psychology behind why people don’t buy immediately

✔ How to structure your content to move followers toward action

✔ The biggest content...

🚨 Sick of sending cold DMs and getting ghosted? There’s a better way to book clients as a social media manager in 2025.

In this episode of Social Media Manager Confidential, I’m breaking down exactly how to get consistent, high-quality clients—without cold pitching. If you’re tired of feeling like you have to beg for work, this is for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔ How to network the right way (virtually & locally)—without feeling awkward

✔ How to partner with sister services so you get steady referrals

✔ How to use soci...

The truth about growing as a social media manager in 2025—no fluff, no sugarcoating.

The industry is shifting. More people are entering social media management, businesses are getting pickier about who they hire, and the economy is making clients way more selective with their budgets.

So, how do you stand out and actually book clients this year?

In this episode of Social Media Manager Confidential, I’m breaking down:

✔ Why having a portfolio or strong social proof is non-negotiable

✔ How to price your services based on ROI (not just time & e...

Is there a magic formula to dodge burnout? Can you master your anxiety and shake off the fear of getting fired? And why on earth are we calling this the Season 1 Finale? Well, buckle up, because I'm back to answer even more of your pressing questions, picking up right where our last Q&A left off!

This episode is bursting at the seams with juicy details—from wrestling burnout and taming anxiety to steering through those oh-so-tricky client chats. I’m also thrilled to spill the beans on some super exciting plans and share why I’m taking...

How many clients can one social media manager realistically handle? Can you truly overcome the fear of failure? These are just a few of the pressing questions you asked during my recent 'Ask Me Anything' on Instagram. Today, we’re diving back into a fan-favorite format with another Q&A session where I answer the questions you're most curious about.

Join me as we explore whether it's possible to conquer the fear of failure and discuss whether it's truly ‘ick’ to use your personal account for business promotions. I'll be tackling these topics and more, so let’s dive i...

Are you a burnt-out social media manager looking to scale without taking on more clients or growing a team? If you've ever thought about creating your own course, this episode is a must-listen! Our guest today, Kelsey McCormick, shares all the golden nuggets about creating and selling your own course. 

Kelsey is a self-proclaimed Squiggly Creative™ and the founder of Coming Up Roses. She knows what it takes to grow a brand from the ground up. We dive into creating a course as a social media manager, what you'll need to do beforehand, how to create the cou...

Do you really need a website as a social media manager? Today's guest, Kaili Meyer, founder of Reveal Studio Co., is here to convince you that the answer is a resounding yes—and she'll also guide you through the four essential pages your site must have. Together, we'll explore how to launch a standout website for social media management, what essential elements it should feature, and how to optimize it for sales and client conversions.

Kaili combines her background in journalism—storytelling, research, and making meaningful connections—with proven consumer and sales psychology strategies to create copy that c...

Welcome to the Visibility Strategy Series!

Are you searching for a visibility strategy that consistently reaches your ideal audience on Instagram without depending solely on the algorithm? Consider diving into the world of paid ads, whether for yourself or your clients.

In this episode, we are diving into Part 5 of this Series and it is especially exciting as we explore how to ethically and effectively run paid ad campaigns to boost your client's Instagram presence. You’ll learn how to set up and manage these campaigns using the Meta Business Suite rather than directly through th...

There has been some bomb-dropping that has just happened recently through the Instagram world with Adam Mosseri giving us some really big algorithm news. So I’m sitting down with the Social Marketing Queen on Instagram and CEO of Enfluence Marketing Studio, Katelyn Rhoades to discuss this hot topic and how Instagram is shifting its focus to reward original content creators to level the playing field for all users. 

We’re also diving into all the controversy surrounding remixes, the ethical aspects of remixing content, changes in how content will be ranked, strategies to adapt to this chang...

Welcome to the Visibility Strategy Series! 

Are you looking to boost engagement and conversions for yourself or your clients? Imagine achieving this effortlessly with automation. In this episode, I discuss my go-to Instagram tool that DOUBLED both my engagement and conversions.

Join us for the fourth installment of our Visibility Strategy Series, where I'll break down everything you need to know about this transformative tool. You'll learn how to seamlessly integrate it into your marketing strategy to elevate your social media game, better serve your audience, and grow your business sustainably.

Tune in t...

Welcome to the Visibility Strategy Series! 

Do you remember the feeling of crafting that almost perfect social media post only to have it receive lukewarm engagement? We've all been there, and it may have something to do with your graphics. 

Join me in Part 3 of our Visibility Strategy Series as I zero in on the graphic design mistakes that I see Social Media Managers make and dive into the basics of graphic design so you can make an impact with your content. If you are ready to take your content from good to great and no...

Welcome to the Visibility Strategy Series!

Video content is here to stay, but how do you create engaging social media videos for your clients? In part two of this series, we are diving into all things social media videos. 

We cover everything from understanding video quality and frame rate to mastering the art of text overlays and pattern breaking. So if you are ready to step up your video game, this is the episode for you. Let’s dive in!

Head to the Show Notes: https://social-media-manager-confidential.captivate.fm/episode72

💬 Sign up for m...

Welcome to the Visibility Strategy Series!

I’m so excited to bring you this 5-part series on Visibility Strategy for the next 5 weeks! We’re covering things like video editing, graphic design, tools to use for video content and running ads. And today we’re kicking off this series with Part 1 on how to write strong hooks,  specifically how to write ones that don't suck.

So, what goes into a good hook? And how do you craft hooks that are going to capture your audience's attention? We’ll be diving into power words and how to use th...

Have you started running paid ads for your social media management clients? Maybe you are too overwhelmed by the thought of Meta’s backend or just aren’t getting the results you want. Today's episode brings the expertise of the Two Lauras – Laura Moore and Laura Davis, your go-to guides for mastering paid advertising successfully. 

Since 2019, the Lauras have trained over 4,000 freelancers to become better marketers and make more money as social media managers. As the voices behind the JFDI with the two Lauras podcast, they share tips and advice but also rant about the state of social...

Are you struggling to figure out what to include in your KPI reports for clients? Social media reports don’t have to be overwhelming, so stop worrying—I have you covered! 

In this episode, we'll tackle selecting the right KPIs, crafting social media reports, and analyzing insights. The good news is there is no need for fancy tools or apps, but some manual work may be required. So, let’s dive in and take your social media management skills to the next level with these actionable tips.

Head to the Show Notes: https://social-media-manager-confidential.captivate.fm/epis...

Are you struggling to crack the code of setting boundaries as a social media manager? In a 24/7 industry, it can be hard to set and enforce boundaries. But has my guest, Becca Booker, discovered the secret? 

Becca is the owner of Homemade Social, where she works hands-on with lifestyle and e-commerce brands and implements social media and email strategies to elevate their brand and grow their communities. She is here to share her hacks on setting boundaries and sticking to them! 

Becca shares her journey from freelancer to marketing agency and the complimentary services she no...

Do you struggle with your money mindset and wonder if your personal and professional wealth will ever meet your goals? Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with finance coach Gina Knox, where she spills all the financial tea! 

Join us as Gina tells us the secrets of going from $2k a month to $4k to $10k and beyond. She shares the secrets to building both personal and professional wealth, even at the same time! Plus, she discusses the most common money problems she faces with small business owners everywhere, a few tips on how to s...

Are you finding it challenging to get content from your clients? From one social media manager to another, you are not alone. In this episode, I'll walk you through effective strategies to navigate this issue.

I'll share practical advice that you can start applying right away, including leveraging existing client resources and navigating client collaboration. I will also reassure you that you need to be an expert in social media, not your client’s industry and how to have that conversation. 

So, are you ready to find out more? Let’s dive in!

Head...

Get ready for a Q&A with me with a little twist! It’s been a while since I’ve done a Q&A, so I thought I would answer your questions completely off the cuff! So what are we talking about? 

I’ll be tackling questions from handling clients who buy likes and engagement to sharing invaluable tips for improving your mindset during the client acquisition process. We'll explore effective communication tactics for handling non-cooperative clients and discuss the best platforms for payment processing that I personally recommend.

Don’t miss your chance to hear the...

Ever wondered how top social media agencies consistently land those dream clients that everyone talks about? I've always been curious, too, and I had the opportunity to sit down with Andréa Jones, and we explored her strategies for attracting high-profile clients, including her experience working with clients like Rachel Rodgers. 

Andrea is the founder of OnlineDrea and a social media strategist helping brands with bold personalities, bold opinions, and bold ideas make bold moves towards elevating their thought leadership and growing their business using the power of social media. 

In this episode, Andréa reve...

Ever dreamed of managing social media for your favourite celebrity? Our guest, Cassie Petrey, turned her dream into reality by working with none other than the Backstreet Boys. And she is here to share her journey from superfan to celebrity social media manager.

As the co-founder of Crowd Surf, Cassie has also worked with other iconic artists’ including Camila Cabello and Britney Spears. Her accolades include Forbes 30 Under 30 and Billboard 30 Under 30 recipient, and she is a leading social media and artist management Hollywood powerhouse.

So how did she do it, and how can you follow in...

Social media management is dead. Yep, that’s what we said. To unpack this statement, I’ve brought back my first-ever podcast guest, Shannon McKinstrie, who is a fellow social media manager and long-time friend. 

Shannon is a social media mentor & strategist on a mission to eliminate the neverending content-creation guesswork and overwhelm so business owners can actually enjoy promoting their business and engaging with their audience on social platforms without burning out.

While the concept of social media management isn't exactly 'dead,' it's definitely undergone significant changes in the past three years. In this...

Too nervous to raise your rates? Unsure how much you should be charging as a social media manager? You're not alone, and navigating this doesn't have to be as daunting as it seems!

In this episode, I'll break down exactly how to calculate what you need to be charging, including some often-overlooked factors. I am also providing you with a ready-to-use script to confidently inform your clients about your new rates.

So, grab your headphones and join me as we dive into gaining the confidence to charge your value in 2024!

Head to the...

Are you tired of the winter months leaving your social media management business strapped for cash? Want to splurge on holiday gifts or pay off bills but feel like December and January are holding you back? Well, I've got the solution for you!

As a seasoned social media manager with over five years of experience, I understand the challenges of the slow months and how to overcome them. In this episode, I'll reveal powerful client acquisition strategies that will fill your wallet, both now and in the long run.

Don't let the slow months bring...

Are you cringing whenever you hear of a new platform update or change? Are you concerned about maintaining and growing your social media management business in 2024? I've got just the solution you need.

In this episode, I'll be revealing key strategies and the one no-fluff change you need to make to ensure your social media management business doesn't just survive but thrives in 2024. 

Don't let the rapid changes and updates intimidate you. Tune in to discover how to stay ahead of the curve and achieve your business goals.

Head to the Show Notes: h...