They say hindsight is 20/20. I don’t know who “they” are, but “they” are right.

I started working for SCP Agency in January of 2016. In the beginning, I was terrified. Social media marketing was way outside of my previous work experience. Before starting my new journey, I worked as a Business Development Representative for a local car dealership. I was good at my job, and I liked it. However, I get bored very easily and was excited about entering this foreign world of social media marketing.

Here are some things I wish I’d known before I started:

 

1. Things change, FAST! 

You spend time learning how to use a marketing tool online – and then, BAM!! You wake up the next morning and suddenly the layout is completely different and that “Publish” button you grew so comfortable with is no longer there. Seriously, it’s gone! Where did it go? Oh, never mind. It’s on the next page now, along with 5 other new steps that weren’t there before. Moving on…

 

2. Creativity is a must

I consider myself a creative person. That is, I did until I started doing social media marketing. Content that grabs an audience’s attention one day may die in cyberspace the next. Yes, you need eye-catching content, but you also need to market that content in a way that speaks to your audience.

 

3. Reports, Reports, Reports 

What’s the point of your hard work if you can’t get measurable, verifiable results? That’s where reports come in – and there are many. Of course, all social media platforms have different report layouts and filter options.

 

4. New tools almost daily

Right now, someone, somewhere is developing a new tool that will make social media marketing easier. Right now, someone else, somewhere else, is developing another new tool that will make social media marketing easier. Repeat that, indefinitely. Get used to it.

5. Failure

You think you have content that will engage your audience, and instead you get crickets chirping. You think you’ve nailed your audience and gotten your ad placement perfect, and your cost per like or click is outrageous. You think you’ve gotten this right or that right and end up being 100% wrong. It happens regularly – although I wouldn’t necessarily call it failure. These missteps are valuable lessons.

 

6. I love it

As I mentioned earlier, I had no idea what to expect when I started working for SCP. What I wish I’d known the most is how much I would love it. Today, I’m never bored. I work for an awesome business with awesome people. I’ve learned so much – not only about this industry, but also about myself. I’m thankful to be a part of this crazy, ever-changing, always-growing industry that is social media marketing.

 

 

 

Megan Asbill is a Facebook Specialist for SCP Agency.

She enjoys helping clients grow their businesses by developing and implementing social media strategies that best fit their needs. Megan specializes in automotive dealership marketing and has been in the automotive sales industry for 3 years.