How To Make $10,000 with a Social Media Marketing Agency

Starting a social media marketing agency (SMA) is one of the most beginner-friendly business models, and it has the potential to transform your life. I know this firsthand because it's how I got my start. At just 17, I was able to make $10,000 a month, move into my dream apartment, and begin supporting my family. SMA is a proven model, and many successful entrepreneurs - like Gom (Less), Sam (School), Alex (Gym Launch), and even billionaires like Andrew Wilkinson (Tiny) - started their careers with agencies. The advantages of SMA are clear: low startup costs, high profit margins, consistent demand, and easy fulfillment, making it an ideal choice for beginners.

Why SMA is Beginner-Friendly

Compared to models like dropshipping, SMA stands out. Dropshipping often requires significant startup capital, has lower profit margins, and involves complex logistics. In contrast, SMA requires minimal upfront investment - as little as 50

−

50−100 for a domain and email - and offers profit margins ranging from 65% to 98%. Since businesses always need marketing services, demand is consistently high. Additionally, fulfillment can be outsourced or learned quickly, making the model highly scalable.

# Step 1: Niche Selection

Choosing the right niche is critical for specialization and scalability. Avoid being a generalist; instead, focus on a specific niche to charge more and streamline your operations. Examples of profitable niches include real estate, HVAC, roofing, and solar. The key is to select a niche with high revenue potential, expensive products or services, growth opportunities, and a large market size. As a beginner, target unsophisticated niches where you can quickly establish yourself as the expert.

#Step 2: Service Selection

Once you've chosen your niche, the next step is selecting a service to offer. Services generally fall into two categories: convenience (e.g., social media management, video editing) and return on investment (ROI) (e.g., lead generation, paid traffic). ROI services are easier to sell because they directly impact a client's revenue. To identify the right service, determine the biggest problem in your niche and choose a solution that addresses it. For example, if roofers need more clients, offer lead generation or paid traffic services.

#Step 3: Agency Setup

Setting up your agency is straightforward. Start by choosing a name, buying a domain, creating a logo, and setting up professional email and social media profiles. Don't overthink these steps - they aren't critical to your success. Tools like Canva, Namecheap, and Google Workspace can simplify the process. A website is optional in the beginning; I made $20,000 a month without one.

# Step 4: Offer Creation

Your offer should combine your niche, service, and pricing model. The goal is to bridge the gap between a client's current state (their problem) and their desired state (the solution). A strong offer includes a clear promise (e.g., "30 qualified leads in 90 days"), a methodology, a pricing model (e.g., monthly retainer, pay-per-lead), and a contract duration (minimum 90 days). While guarantees aren't necessary, consider offering a pro-rata refund if results fall short.

# Step 5: Prospecting

Prospecting involves identifying and listing potential clients with their contact details. You can use manual methods like Google Maps or LinkedIn, prospecting software like Apollo or LeadSwift, or hire lead generators through platforms like Upwork or Fiverr. Consistency and volume are key - aim for 2,000–4,000 outreaches per month to see consistent results.

# Step 6: Outreach

Outreach methods include cold calling, cold emailing, and direct messaging. The best method depends on your niche. For example, cold calling works well for home renovation businesses, while cold emailing is more effective for SaaS companies. Your outreach messages should highlight pain points, offer emotional buy-in, and include a no-brainer offer (e.g., free resources). Remember, outreach is a numbers game, so stay consistent and persistent.

# Step 7: Sales

Sales calls should follow a structured approach: rapport building, pre-framing, discovery, transition, and pitch. During discovery, ask questions to understand the client's current state, goals, and pain points. Use the "out of this world" frame to gauge their commitment before pitching. Your pitch should clearly explain your methodology and include verbal agreements (e.g., "Does that make sense?"). Close by asking, "Where would you like to go from here?"

#Step 8: Onboarding

Onboarding involves collecting payment, gathering client information, and setting expectations. To create a professional experience, use onboarding funnels (e.g., through tools like Floy). The funnel should include contract and payment, a welcome video, access to the client space, and a strategy call booking.

# Step 9: Service Delivery and Hiring

Once clients are onboarded, it's time to deliver on your promises. If you lack expertise in a specific service (e.g., paid ads), hire contractors through platforms like Upwork or Fiverr. A strategy I've found effective is "contractor arbitrage," where you pay skilled workers in lower-cost countries (e.g., Brazil, Serbia) a fraction of what you charge clients. This ensures profitability and scalability.

Advanced Client Acquisition: Personal Branding

One of the most powerful ways to scale your agency is by building a micro personal brand. By sharing valuable content on social media, I was able to attract clients without cold outreach. Platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn are great for building authority and credibility. If you're serious about this, consider leveraging tools or programs like Monetize, which helps entrepreneurs build personal brands to attract clients.

Final Thoughts

Starting a social media marketing agency is one of the most accessible and scalable business models for beginners. By following these steps - niche selection, service selection, agency setup, offer creation, prospecting, outreach, sales, onboarding, and service delivery - you can achieve $10,000 a month or more. The key is consistency, volume, and leveraging personal branding for long-term success. With the right mindset and strategy, you can build a thriving agency that transforms your life