Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Ready to quit your 9–5 and become a full-time social media manager in 2026? This is your roadmap.
In this episode, I’m giving you a full 12-month plan to go from beginner (or part-time side hustler) to booked-out and thriving in your SMM business.
You’ll learn exactly what to do in each quarter — from landing your first client without an Instagram following, to building a portfolio that converts, to finally setting income goals that make quitting your job realistic.
We’re not guessing. We’re building. Month by month, phase by phase.
Let’s go full-time—together.
Inside this episode:
✔️ Why 2026 is the best time to go full-time
✔️ The biggest mistake new social media managers make
✔️ How to land your first 3–5 clients without a following
✔️ Pricing, packaging, and portfolio tips
✔️ When to build a website and brand shoot (not at the start!)
✔️ How to reverse-engineer your income and make quitting realistic
👇 Watch or listen now to get the full plan and start strong this year.
xx Ellen
💕 Thank You to Rella for Sponsoring the Podcast
Use code ELLEN for 10% off your subscription:
👉 getrella.com/?via=ellen
___________________________________________________________
💻 //LINKS// 💻
Sign up for my FREE private podcast: a 4 part training on how I scaled my business to $1 million in revenue - ellenmackenzie.com/private-podcast
Join the Dishing up Digital School: ellenmackenzie.com/Dishing-up-Digital-School
Camera: geni.us/iPjpAt
Lens: geni.us/kNkJOx
Full list of tools & software I use: ellenmackenzie.com/tools
📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA//
Instagram: instagram.com/ellenmackenziee
TikTok: tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee
🤯 //FREE GUIDE//
How to become a social media manager: ellenmackenzie.com/freebie
👩💻 Ellen’s business: ellenmackenzie.com
📧 Sponsorship enquiries: team@dishingupdigital.com
Ready to quit your 9–5 and become a full-time social media manager in 2026? This is your roadmap.
In this episode, I’m giving you a full 12-month plan to go from beginner (or part-time side hustler) to booked-out and thriving in your SMM business.
You’ll learn exactly what to do in each quarter — from landing your first client without an Instagram following, to building a portfolio that converts, to finally setting income goals that make quitting your job realistic.
We’re not guessing. We’re building. Month by month, phase by phase.
Let’s go full-time—together.
Inside this episode:
✔️ Why 2026 is the best time to go full-time
✔️ The biggest mistake new social media managers make
✔️ How to land your first 3–5 clients without a following
✔️ Pricing, packaging, and portfolio tips
✔️ When to build a website and brand shoot (not at the start!)
✔️ How to reverse-engineer your income and make quitting realistic
👇 Watch or listen now to get the full plan and start strong this year.
xx Ellen
💕 Thank You to Rella for Sponsoring the Podcast
Use code ELLEN for 10% off your subscription:
👉 getrella.com/?via=ellen
___________________________________________________________
💻 //LINKS// 💻
Sign up for my FREE private podcast: a 4 part training on how I scaled my business to $1 million in revenue - ellenmackenzie.com/private-podcast
Join the Dishing up Digital School: ellenmackenzie.com/Dishing-up-Digital-School
Camera: geni.us/iPjpAt
Lens: geni.us/kNkJOx
Full list of tools & software I use: ellenmackenzie.com/tools
📲 //SOCIAL MEDIA//
Instagram: instagram.com/ellenmackenziee
TikTok: tiktok.com/@ellenmackenzieee
🤯 //FREE GUIDE//
How to become a social media manager: ellenmackenzie.com/freebie
👩💻 Ellen’s business: ellenmackenzie.com
📧 Sponsorship enquiries: team@dishingupdigital.com
