Most freelance social media managers go into this line of work for a couple of reasons:
- To ditch the 9-5.
- To help more people.
- To be able to work from anywhere in the world.
At least, that’s why we did it.
But when you're only working with long-term social media management clients, your business carries big risks. Losing a client can have a massive impact on your income; replacing them can take time, and in the meantime, you still need to pay the mortgage.
And trading time for money means your income can reach a cap you can't overcome.
Anika was in the same position when she started freelancing. She had just 30 followers on social media and two clients paying her £500 a month each—and she was already feeling stuck.
She’d jumped into freelancing for more flexibility, but in reality, she felt like she was just taking on whatever work she could get. Her imposter syndrome was in full force, and every decision felt like a gamble. Sound familiar?
Am I pricing too high? Too low? Am I offering the wrong services? Can I really make this business work long-term?
Like so many freelancers, she overthought everything and wasn’t sure what her next move should be.
What Changed?
Anika needed structure. She needed a way to position herself as an expert while making sure she wasn’t capping her income with long-term retainers that took up all her time.
That’s when she discovered The Social Media Managers Toolkit and finally got the clarity she needed.
The Toolkit introduced her to the Offer Triangle® Framework, which completely changed how she structured her services. She realised she didn’t have to rely solely on long-term management clients. Instead, she could create a mix of services that played to her strengths while keeping her income steady.
She restructured her business with a balance of:
✔ Retainers to provide consistent monthly income.
✔ Consultancy and training for businesses that needed expertise but not full management.
✔ Project-based work, including accessibility audits and PR support, to offer high-value services at premium rates.
It helped me to realise that I didn't have to only have long-term social media management clients and I could do the consultancy work that gets me really excited, especially training people and seeing their lightbulb moments happen – Anika
This shift transformed her business
✅ She increased her rates to £800 a month, moving away from underpaid, time-draining work.
✅ She won her highest-paying project yet, using The Toolkit’s proposal template to pitch with confidence.
✅ She built a business that fit her life, working with clients in a way that suited her skills and interests.
✅ She secured financial stability ahead of Q4, covering extra Christmas costs and even planning a dream family holiday abroad in 2025—without stressing about how she'd pay for it.
And the best part? She now has a business she actually enjoys running – that's the whole point of being a freelancer, right!?
Why This Works (and How It Can Work for You, Too)
Most freelancers assume they have to stick with long-term retainers to build a sustainable business. But that’s simply not true.
By diversifying her offers, Anika created a profitable and flexible business model that gives her:
✔ A mix of steady and high-paying work.
✔ The option to work with different types of clients.
✔ Security, confidence, and more financial freedom and choice.
The Offer Triangle® is the missing piece for so many social media managers who feel stuck charging too little, constantly replacing short-term clients, and never quite building the steady, profitable business they've been promised on Instagram.
When you have the right structure in place, you can finally start charging more for your management services and building a business that works for you.
What’s Next for You?
If you’re still relying on one type of service, struggling to increase your rates, or feeling stuck in a cycle of uncertainty and overthinking, it’s time to change that.
The Social Media Managers Toolkit doesn’t just give you templates—it gives you the structure, strategy, and confidence to rethink how you offer your services. Inside, we’ll show you exactly how to use the Offer Triangle® Framework to reshape your business, set your prices with confidence, and create a steady, profitable income without locking yourself into work that doesn’t fit your life. Just like Anika, you’ll walk away with a clear plan and all the tools you need to make it happen.
Ready to take control of your business? Join us for 12 months in The Social Media Managers Toolkit here.
