If we haven't met before, we're the two Lauras – Laura Moore & Laura Davis – and we're on a mission to help freelance social media managers build more profitable (and enjoyable) businesses.

One of the problems social media freelancers share with us is not being sure how to secure access to their platforms.

It can feel a bit daunting if you haven’t done it before – or it’s been a while. But don’t worry; we’ve got you covered.

When you download The Social Media Managers Guide To Accessing Client Platforms, you’ll discover everything you need to know – from logging into a client’s Twitter/X account to the level of access needed to manage a Facebook Business page.

Why is a seamless login so important on social media?

Handing over the passwords to a personal or business social media account is a big deal for your client. It requires a lot of trust on their part. 

Now imagine if – during that process – you come across as unclear, confused or flustered. This will instantly raise red flags in their mind.

They’ll worry about whether you can manage their accounts effectively if you can’t even get the basics right. 

But when you get it right the first time, you’ll build confidence in your client and get your working relationship off to a great start.

Knowledge is power. You’ve already done the hard work by winning a new social media client 👏

Now, they’re depending on you to manage their precious accounts. That’s a lot of responsibility. And a lot of ducks to get in a row.

The last thing you want to do is heap extra pressure on yourself by missing a vital step. There’s nothing worse than feeling unsure about what you’re doing or being unable to share clear instructions with your clients.

Avoid these 3 common client log-in mistakes  

🛑 Unexpected two-step authentication 

Instagram’s two-step authentication is a great way for business owners to protect their accounts. The system ensures the account owner receives a notification code when someone tries to log in. 

If they’re not expecting to receive a text, they might panic and think their account is being hacked. Or, if they’re not around to share the code when you need it, life will get messy. Not a great start, right?

Action: Check whether your new client had two-step authentication switched on (if they don’t, suggest they add it). 

If they’re not sure, assume they do and arrange a mutually agreeable time for you to log in. This means they’ll be able to share the code with you, and the process will be trouble-free. 

❌ Don't expect your client to know how to grant access to social platforms.

Some social media accounts – including Facebook and Pinterest – require the account owner to take action before you can gain access.

A common mistake is expecting your clients to figure out what they have to do by themselves.

Action: To present yourself as a professional social media marketer, you must be able to give clear guidance to your client.

👉 Download The Social Media Managers Guide To Accessing Client Platforms for full instructions.

❌ Don't use a second Facebook account to manage client accounts.

We come across a lot of social media managers who think it’s a good idea to create a second profile page to connect to client accounts. It’s not.

Having a second personal profile is against Facebook’s T&Cs, which means you’re putting your own – and your client’s pages – at risk of being closed down.

Action: Use your real profile page. A second page is unnecessary.

Social media password management

Not every client will be keen to hand over their passwords, and there’s a long list of reasons for that.

If your new client is hesitant, don’t put pressure on them. 

Instead, use a service such as LastPass, which allows you to access social accounts without needing to see the password.

Both you and your client will need an account, and the free version will do the job. To access a platform on more than one device, you’ll need the paid version, which costs £2.60 per month.

How to gain access to a client's social media accounts.

If you manage social media accounts for clients, you need to download our free guide, The Social Media Managers Guide To Accessing Client Platforms.

Remember to refresh your memory each time you take on a new client.

Here’s what’s included:

• How to get admin access to a Facebook Business page
• How to grant admin rights on a Facebook group
• How to give a social media manager access to Instagram
• How to access a client’s Twitter account
• How to access a client’s LinkedIn profile
• How to access a client’s LinkedIn Business page
• How to access a client’s Pinterest Business account 

➾ Get a copy of The Social Media Managers Guide To Accessing Client Platforms.