We recently connected with Milou Pietersz and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Milou , thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with what makes profitability in your industry a challenge – what would you say is the biggest challenge?

Capping out on time is the BIGGEST challenge in the industry of social media management. In my experience, there are two reasons why this happens: First, you might be a solopreneur who has reached the point of being fully booked. This means that you’ve built a reputation for delivering results, and clients are lining up to work with you. However, there’s only so much one person can physically handle. When you’re responsible for managing multiple social media accounts, including tasks like copywriting, strategy development, data tracking, design work, community management, and outbound engagement, it can quickly become overwhelming. It’s a Herculean task to master every aspect of social media management for 10 or more clients. This can lead to burnout, compromised quality of work, and ultimately limit your potential for growth.

On the other hand, if you haven’t streamlined your services and procedures, you’ll hit a profitability roadblock. Efficiency is crucial in this industry. If you’re spending excessive time on tasks that could be automated or streamlined, you’re losing out on opportunities to take on more clients and increase your revenue. Niching down and focusing on specific industries or types of clients can help you develop expertise and deliver better results faster. Perfecting the client experience is also essential. When you create a seamless onboarding process, clear communication channels, and effective reporting systems, clients are more likely to be satisfied and refer you to others.

Recognizing these challenges and their impact on the industry has inspired me to “coach the competition.” I believe that elevating the entire field of social media management benefits everyone involved. That’s why I’ve started a YouTube channel where I cover all these topics – from time management strategies and task delegation techniques to client relationship building and process optimization. By sharing my knowledge and experiences, I hope to help fellow social media managers overcome these challenges and thrive in the industry. Together, we can raise the bar and provide exceptional services to our clients while achieving sustainable profitability.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

For those that don’t know me, HI, my name is Milou Pietersz (Mil for short). I am a former D1 athlete (Tennis) and a social media strategist. Founder of Simply Multimedia, where we turn creators and brands into content machines through multi-channel strategies.

A little bit about me as a person- I’m originally from the Netherlands and am known for my “Dutch Directness,” NO FLUFF, straight to-the-chase, cut-the-BS attitude. I have been a U.S. Immigrant since 2014 and reside in Austin, Texas. I am passionate about all things biohacking and self-care (old me, I never thought I would say that!). I speak fluent Dutch, English, un poco Español, and hashtags.

My business is my baby, as I’m sure yours is to you. With a background in marketing, Simply Media & Advertising (now Simply Multimedia) was born while I was in my senior year of college. I took on small jobs as a student, telling everyone who would listen to what I do and gaining as much experience as possible. It was also then that I started building my own personal brand and establishing a presence consistently on Instagram from day one.

Graduation rolled around, and guess what? Rejected by every agency I applied to. Rejection was just my trampoline to launching my own dream. I hustled like a champion – teaching tennis, delivering Uber Eats, even rocking the Instacart scene. Clients started trickling in; some brought nightmares (major learning moments, if you will), and before I knew it, I was fully booked but also gently banging my head against a metaphorical wall. That’s when the epiphany hit me: Solo was no longer the way to go.

So, I took that leap of faith, hired a business operations wizard, brought in some seriously smart hires, and surrounded myself with folks who pushed me further than I ever thought possible. And guess what? There’s no looking back now. The past may be a hilarious jumble of odd jobs and head-desk moments, but the present and future? They look bright, bold, and ready for some serious social media magic.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Let me spill the tea about building a killer social media strategy. So, here’s the deal – I’ve been in the game from day one on Instagram, and let me tell you, it’s been a wild ride. I wasn’t chasing virality or trying to be an overnight sensation. My focus was on the followers who were already in my corner. The strategy? Consistency with a side of genuine human connection.

First things first, consistency isn’t just a buzzword – it’s the heartbeat of your social media game. Imagine tuning in to your favorite TV show, and they randomly decide to air episodes whenever they feel like it. Frustrating, right? The same goes for your followers. They want to know when they can count on you for that dose of content only you can provide.

But here’s the twist: Don’t just show up for the sake of showing up. Know your audience like you know your best friend’s quirks. Who are they? What do they struggle with? What makes them tick? It’s like having a one-on-one conversation with that friend. Craft your content as if it’s meant for that one special person. Speak their language, address their pain points, and offer solutions like you’re their personal superhero.

And let’s not forget the most crucial ingredient – being a real, authentic human; even if it is your brand’s account, humans still like to see a face. In a sea of perfectly curated feeds, let your freak flag fly. Show the world your personality, quirks, and business backstory – it makes you relatable and magnetic. Care about your audience like they’re your long-lost buddies. Reply to comments, slide into those DMs, and genuinely engage. Remember, social media is a two-way street. When you become successful at this, you will quickly realize managing a thriving social presence for your business or personal brand is NOT a one-person show, but… baby steps.

Consistency is key, but it’s not just about posting on the dot. It’s about knowing your audience intimately and creating content that resonates with them on a personal level. And above all, be that down-to-earth, relatable business owner who genuinely cares. Trust me, this cocktail of strategy, authenticity, and human connection is the recipe for building a loyal tribe that sticks around for the long haul.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Here is how I carved out my spot in the market and built a reputation that stands out.

First, let’s talk about a little thing called “striving for excellence.” I’m not just talking about delivering quality work when the stars align – I’m talking about excellence even when dealing with those clients that might as well be a page out of a nightmare manual. You can’t control the chaos they bring, but you sure can control how you handle it. By consistently going above and beyond, even when the going gets tough, I’ve shown that my commitment to excellence is unwavering.

Now, let’s chat about the client experience. I don’t just treat it as a checklist – it’s a journey, an adventure from that first discovery call to the onboarding process that’s smoother than a well-oiled machine. But here’s the twist – You need to add a dash of FUN. Who said business has to be all stiff collars and serious faces? I ensure my clients enjoy every step of the way and that each month’s content calendar feels exciting and stress-free.

And finally, RESULTS! They’re not just a cherry on top; they’re the entire cake. I’ve got case studies and data that could make your head spin – a proven track record that stands as a testament to my skills. You need social proof if you are looking to build a reputation. It’s like having a trophy collection that screams, “Hey, world, look at the magic I can conjure!” When clients see that you’re not just tossing around buzzwords but can back them up with real, tangible results, that’s when the reputation train starts forming.

In a nutshell, it’s all about a relentless pursuit of excellence, creating an unforgettable client journey sprinkled with fun, and showcasing a trail of impressive results that could make even the skeptics raise an eyebrow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://simplymediadvertising.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miloupietersz
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miloupietersz
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@miloupietersz

Image Credits
Divina Stennfeld Photography