Let me take you on a little journey of mine. Picture this: last year, I was juggling tasks as a virtual assistant and online bookkeeper, pulling in about $36K. Not too shabby for a start, right? But this year, I decided to shake things up a bit and dove headfirst into the world of digital marketing—sans the social media buzz everyone raves about. And guess what? My bank account is looking a lot healthier with an $85K boost. Let me break down this crazy ride for you.

I kicked off the year with high hopes, joining this fancy-schmancy cohort that promised to skyrocket my business. But as months rolled by, I found myself in a bit of a pickle. My social media plan was more like throwing spaghetti at the wall and seeing what stuck. I spent nights wondering if my posts were even a blip on potential clients' radars. But instead of wallowing, I decided to get creative, and boy, did that pay off!

Here are a few things that worked for me this year that helped me level up and improve my client retention ( we will talk about this more in another post as it is the most important thing in your business).

Playing the White Label Game: I teamed up with an agency to offer Pinterest management and SEO. It's like being the wizard behind the curtain, and it worked wonders for broadening my client base.

Chit-chatting in Social Groups: Instead of selling, I became the go-to person for advice in Facebook groups. People started recognizing my name, and before I knew it, referrals were sliding into my DMs.

Joining the Right Crews: I hopped into various online workgroups. Some were duds, but others were like hitting the jackpot, bringing in clients left and right.

Lessons I learned this year

Boundaries Are BFFs: I learned to shut off after hours and keep my personal number off the grid. Mental peace is priceless, folks!

Tracking Time Like a Hawk: I got religious about monitoring every hour spent on client work. Quarterly audits became my jam to ensure I wasn't selling myself short.

Tailor-Made Plans for the Win: Each client is unique, so cookie-cutter strategies are a big no-no. Customized plans became my hallmark.

Referrals Over Certifications: I realized that all the certifications in the world don't hold a candle to good old-fashioned word of mouth. My clients became my cheerleaders, and it made all the difference.

As I step into the next year, my focus will be on experimenting with and understanding the actual value of social media for my business. I plan to track data meticulously to make informed decisions. The lessons from this year have taught me the importance of adaptability, client-focused strategies, and the power of networking.

Earning $85K as a Digital Marketing Assistant with minimal social media presence has been a remarkable journey. It's proof that traditional paths aren't always the most effective and that understanding your strengths and the market can lead to unexpected success. As I move forward, I'm excited to apply these lessons and continue growing in this dynamic digital landscape and help you do the same as a digital diva. Follow me on social and let's see what we can make happen in 2024!

Written By Katie Fisher