We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maggie Mullens a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Maggie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you think folks should manage their own social media or hire a professional? What do you do?
Funny enough, I have insight on both! My full-time job is working as a social media manager, so I work with clients who have hired us as their outside help. I, for my business, run my accounts because I simply know how to.
For those tossing the idea around of hiring an outside company to run your socials, I would ask yourself:
“Do I want a large agency that copies and pastes templates for ease or do I want a company paying attention to detail and using my specific brand voice?”
“What matters most to me when it comes to my business’s online presence?”
“Do I actually have time to truly put thought and care into every single post and into content strategy overall?”
As someone who does this full time, for my own accounts, and for one client on the side, it’s more than just posting occasionally. If you’re overwhelmed and can’t dedicate the time, find an agency or a freelancer who can and will!
If you want to keep it in-house, make sure to read up on the industry via blogs and content creators, and monitor trends. My biggest piece of advice: use an online scheduling tool to post your content automatically for you! There are tons of options out there, so make sure to do some research on which site is best for you. My team works with Loomly, but I also have personal experience with Later!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I started this business after seeing the need and want for personalized signage at events. After working 400+ weddings over 3 years in the weddings and events industry, I fully believe that the little details matter!
I have had the honor of doing all kinds of signage (place cards, welcome signs, table numbers, seating charts, etc.) for multiple weddings, baby showers, and a bridal shower! My designs have been all over the East Coast and have even made it to the West Coast. What I am most proud of, is taking a leap of faith and starting my business! My friends and family members always saw the potential, so it was time for me to see that potential in myself.
I have been an artist for as long as I can remember, and my preferred medium is acrylic paint on canvas when painting for fun. I love sketching, doodling, and of course, hand lettering!
I am self-taught and discovered my love for hand lettering in my junior year of college. My favorite material to write on is acrylic, though I have experience writing on glass, plastic, paper place cards, and mirrors!
Everything I do is originally sketched by me, and I will re-work a design as many times as needed for my clients to be 100% happy!
I am extremely grateful for the clients who chose and continue to choose me to be a part of the most special days in their lives, and I will forever cherish them!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is seeing the client happy. Though it is cliche, it truly makes all the difference!
When a client loves what they see, and I am able to bring a vision to life, it makes me feel great! All I want is to help them create the vibe they were looking for by providing an original piece for them. It’s fun for me, and they are excited about supporting a local artist!
When I can make something that is exactly what they wanted, it’s truly the best feeling!
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
Social media! My first non-friend client was someone who found my profile on Instagram. It was SUCH a great feeling knowing that she found value in my work— so much so that she reached out! I did a bar sign for her and she was in love with the final product. I was happy to be able to do it for her in the time she needed it, and that she loved it!
Don’t sleep on social media! These sites are becoming their own search engines and people are finding businesses every day. A good content strategy will do wonders; it just takes time!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @mag_nificent_designs
- Facebook: Mag-Nificent Designs (link: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555495198067)
Image Credits
Red Gallery Photography, Tabitha Zabik Photo