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What are contract social media jobs?
Unlike traditional full-time roles or freelance gigs, contract social media jobs offer a middle-ground solution for both employers and social media managers (SMMs).
These positions come with an explicit beginning and end date, generally lasting anywhere from three months to a couple of years.
What sets contract social media jobs apart from freelance roles is the level of commitment: Contractors often work exclusively or primarily for one client during the contract period.
Types of work involved
When you land a contract social media job, the scope of work can be varied but is often well-defined.
Responsibilities can range from setting up a paid social campaigns, to developing content creation and analytics frameworks, or even helping the company build their own permanent social media team.
Since the engagement is contract-based, the employer usually has a specific set of goals or projects in mind for the SMM. This often allows for a more focused approach, compared to juggling multiple clients as a freelancer would.
Typical contract lengths
Contract social media jobs often come with predetermined lengths that can range significantly, depending on what needs doing.
Short-term contracts might last just a few months, designed to cover a particular campaign or a season.
On the other hand, long-term contracts can stretch up to two years, offering a stable source of income and an extended period of professional engagement.
One of the most common contract social media gigs is maternity cover. If a company’s social media manager or team lead is taking parental leave, and they don’t have the resources to cover their role for 4-6 months (depending on the country’s parental leave laws), it’s common for companies to bring in an experienced contractor to keep things going in their absence.
Rates of pay
The financial structure in a contract social media job often mirrors that of a full-time job, rather than the project-based payments common in freelance work, but you’re likely to be paid a fixed daily or monthly rate, depending on the length of the contract.
Depending on the level of experience and the geographical location, the rates can vary considerably. If you’re contracting in the US:
- Entry-level social media managers can expect day rates of around $150-$250.
- Mid-level managers with a few years of experience could command rates of $250-$500 per day.
- Senior-level managers, especially those with specialized skills like data analysis or campaign management, usually get day rates of $500-$1,000 or more.
However, they often lean toward the competitive side since the contractor is dedicating a significant chunk of their time to one client. Bonuses and other incentives may also be included in the contract to ensure target goals are met.
Why it’s worth going for contract social media jobs
Contract roles offer a unique blend of stability and flexibility, making them an attractive option for SMMs who prefer dedicated, singular projects over a portfolio of diverse clients.
With well-defined roles, a range of contract lengths, and competitive pay structures, these jobs provide an excellent opportunity to dig deep into specific projects while maintaining some level of job security.
By understanding the unique characteristics of contract roles in the social media landscape, you can better position yourself for success in this ever-evolving industry.