Are you a small business owner looking to boost your social media presence without breaking the bank? If so, you’re in the right place. Hi, I’m Katherine, and I’m here to share my journey from a healthcare career to becoming a social media marketing expert. Today, I help small businesses thrive in the digital world. In this blog post, I’ll take you through my story and how I can help you DIY your social media presence.

**If you would rather watch a Youtube video, this blog article is based on the video you can find here or at the bottom of this page.**

The Beginning: Searching for a New Path

Like many of you, I found myself yearning for a career change. Working in healthcare just wasn’t fulfilling for me. I knew I needed an exit strategy, so I began exploring opportunities to make money online and venture into the world of small businesses.

I dabbled in various endeavors, such as starting a blog and trying my hand at affiliate marketing. I even opened an Etsy shop that featured print-on-demand crop tops. However, none of these ventures seemed to gain the traction I had hoped for. Nevertheless, during this process, I stumbled upon a valuable skill set – social media marketing.

The Pivot: Discovering Social Media Marketing

If you’ve ever tried Etsy, you know that driving traffic to your shop is essential, especially in the beginning. This is where my journey into social media marketing began. I started with Pinterest in 2017, eager to learn the ropes of this platform and explore other social media channels like Instagram and TikTok.

As time went on, I realized that print-on-demand and Etsy weren’t my strong suit due to lengthy turnaround times and limited control. However, I noticed that people were willing to pay for my expertise in Pinterest marketing. I decided to take the leap, and in the summer of 2018, I acquired my first client. At that point, I had over a year of experience under my belt, and I loved every moment of it.

My initial client ran a “how to train for running” blog, and I charged them $20 per hour. This collaboration marked the beginning of my journey in helping small businesses enhance their social media presence.

The Growth: Meeting Clients on Upwork

I should mention that I found my first client on Upwork, a platform that has played a crucial role in building my portfolio. Over time, I continued to find new clients through Upwork and via word-of-mouth referrals. Some even discovered me through my own social media channels.

Fast forward to today, and I’m proud to say that I’m in the top 1% of social media managers on Upwork. My hourly rate has also increased substantially, now charging upwards of $70 per hour. It’s an exciting milestone for my career, but it brought some challenges along the way.

Balancing Act: The Challenge of Pricing

One of the most significant developments in my journey has been the increase in my pricing. While this is great for my business and allows me to work with larger, well-established brands, it presents a challenge for smaller businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs. These are the people I started with, and I’m deeply passionate about helping them succeed.

I’ve witnessed numerous brands take off, watched businesses grow from someone’s basement, and it’s a rewarding feeling. However, I’ve reached a point where I don’t have the time or energy to manage smaller contracts. This realization led me to ponder how I could continue supporting these dream chasers.

The Next Step: YouTube and Free Knowledge Sharing

After much contemplation, I decided to take my knowledge-sharing journey to YouTube. Why YouTube, you might ask? Well, it allows me to talk about everything I know and share it directly from my website, eliminating any gatekeeping associated with paid courses. My goal is simple: I want to help all small business owners, Etsy shop owners, bloggers, crafters, and side hustlers succeed in their digital marketing efforts.

My YouTube channel will cover a wide range of topics, and my first series of videos will be tailored to Pinterest for Etsy shops. I’ll walk you through everything, from setting up your account to connecting your Etsy feed and understanding Pinterest keywording. I’ll share tips on creating and optimizing pins, and much more.

Join Me on This Journey

If you’re interested in improving your social media presence and harnessing the power of platforms like Pinterest, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel, give my videos a thumbs up, and stay tuned for the valuable insights I’ll be sharing. My goal is to provide you with the tools and knowledge you need to make your business flourish online.

My journey from healthcare to social media marketing has been an incredible ride, and I’m excited to share my expertise with you. Whether you’re just starting or looking to take your business to the next level, I’m here to help. So, let’s embark on this journey together, and let’s make your small business thrive in the digital landscape!