Exhausted or Just Underpaid? How to Know When It’s Time to Raise Your Rates

If opening your laptop fills you with dread, you're not alone—and you're not lazy. You might just be undercharging.

In this episode, Shanté breaks down the very real difference between burnout and a broken business model. Because sometimes it’s not your work ethic that’s the issue—it’s your pricing. And until you fix that, no productivity hack will save you.

Whether you’re maxed out on deliverables, stuck in client churn, or afraid you’ll lose everyone the second you raise your rates, this episode walks you through the mindset, math, and systems to make a sustainable change.

We’ll cover:

• How to tell the difference between burnout and undercharging (and when it's both)
• Why easily booking clients might be a red flag—not a win
• The real math behind rate increases—and why fewer clients at higher rates is the move
• What systems you actually need to justify a premium price

Burnout isn’t a rite of passage. It’s a sign. And often, that sign is pointing toward pricing that doesn’t support the business—or life—you want to build.

If you’re ready to stop running on fumes and actually build margin into your model, check out the Pricing & Packages Masterclass. It includes:

• The Profitable Pricing Calculator (so you know your exact rates)
• Expense checklists most creatives forget
• Pre-designed package menu templates
• Confidence-building pricing scripts

It’s the toolkit to help you stop guessing—and start charging what you need to thrive.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Back Office

Your free resource hub with 7 years of Shanté's best trainings, templates, and field notes organized by topic. Everything that's helped her clients and mentees build profitable social media businesses—now in one searchable place.

Starting From Scratch? Here's How to Become a Social Media Manager in 2025 (Without Spending a Dime)

If you’ve been dreaming about becoming a social media manager but feel stuck because your budget’s at $0… this one’s for you.

In this episode, Shanté walks you through exactly how she’d start a social media management business in today’s climate—with zero upfront investment. No fluff, no guilt, no “you just have to want it bad enough” hustle-speak. Just a step-by-step path that prioritizes skill, strategy, and service over spending.

Here’s what we cover:

• Why social media management is way more competitive than it used to be—and how that’s actually a good thing
• How to build your portfolio through high-value service trades (and avoid unpaid “exposure” traps)
• The 3-part system to go from learner → practitioner → professional—with free tools and real-world application
• The difference between hobbyist content and building a voice-safe, results-driven client presence

This episode is your permission to start small—but start smart. You can launch your career without courses, subscriptions, or tools. And when you’re ready to charge? We’ve got the roadmap for that too.

If you're feeling ready to move from free to paid, check out the Starter Toolkit Bundle. It’s designed to help you price with confidence, pitch with clarity, and showcase your results:

• Pricing Calculator
• Proposal Template
• Case Study Template
• Canva Content Calendar
• Instagram Client Attraction Kit

It’s the bundle we wish we had when we started—and it’s $45 off when you grab it all together.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Back Office

Your free resource hub with 7 years of Shanté's best trainings, templates, and field notes organized by topic. Everything that's helped her clients and mentees build profitable social media businesses—now in one searchable place.

When Your Client Thinks Going Viral Is a Strategy (And You’re Tired of Explaining Why It’s Not)

If you’ve ever felt awkward trying to explain social media expectations to a client—especially the myth that follower counts = conversions—you’re not alone. This episode is for the social media managers who are done with vague requests and “can we just go viral?” conversations… and ready to lead with clarity, not conflict.

Inside this episode, Shanté breaks down how to reframe client expectations without making it weird—or losing the contract. You’ll walk away with language that protects your role, supports the relationship, and gently redirects even the most metrics-obsessed client back to strategy.

We’re unpacking:

• Why mismatched expectations usually come from overwhelm—not malice
• The “Reality Bridge” script to help clients connect their goals to actual business results
• How to explain the real social media runway (spoiler: it’s not 2 weeks)
• What to say when clients want to “start small” or buy followers (without spiraling)

If you’re craving more scripts, frameworks, and tools to make expectation-setting feel natural (and powerful), you’ll love the Booking Clients Masterclass. It includes:

• My discovery call script to pre-screen for red flags
• Proposal template that positions your work as the obvious next step
• Client boundary checklist so you know when to hold the line—or walk away

This episode is your permission slip to lead with confidence, protect your time, and finally stop rewriting the rules mid-contract.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Back Office

Your free resource hub with 7 years of Shanté's best trainings, templates, and field notes organized by topic. Everything that's helped her clients and mentees build profitable social media businesses—now in one searchable place.

Your portfolio is polished and sitting in a folder somewhere—but it's not booking you clients. You've spent hours creating beautiful case studies, yet you're still stuck in the pitch-and-pray cycle, watching other social media managers book premium clients while you're explaining why you're worth hiring.

The exhaustion of constantly having to prove your value ends when you stop treating your portfolio like documentation and start using it as your most strategic sales tool.

In this episode, I'm sharing the exact framework that transformed my client attraction from reactive pitching to proactive positioning. You'll discover why potential clients have been reaching out to me already convinced for the past seven years—and how to create that same magnetic pull with your own work.

What we're covering:

• The psychology shift that happens when clients see your results before they reach out (and why this changes everything about your sales conversations)
• How to structure your website so your portfolio works 24/7—turning browsers into believers without a single sales call
• The strategic proposal integration that prevents price objections before they happen
• Why transformation stories convert better than metrics alone (plus the exact narrative structure that helps potential clients envision their own success)
• A practical implementation guide for newer SMMs who feel like they don't have "enough" results yet

The relief you'll walk away with: You'll finally understand why your beautiful portfolio isn't converting—and you'll have a clear roadmap for positioning your expertise so ideal clients come to you already sold on what you can do.

If this resonates and you're ready to stop waiting for clients to ask about your work, here's what I mentioned in the episode:

• Portfolio Building Class - Complete case study templates, proposal integration scripts, and implementation guidance ($97)
• Social Media Case Study Template - The exact 9-page Canva template with 100+ copy ideas ($37)
• Social Media Marketing Proposal Template - Professional proposal format with strategic portfolio integration ($37)
• Browse all SMM resources - Templates, classes, and tools for growing your social media management business

You can also check out our results page to see exactly how we structure portfolio presentation for maximum impact.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Back Office

Your free resource hub with 7 years of Shanté's best trainings, templates, and field notes organized by topic. Everything that's helped her clients and mentees build profitable social media businesses—now in one searchable place.

Your portfolio is beautiful. Your case studies are organized. Your screenshots are perfectly curated. So why aren't potential clients reaching out?

If you're tired of having amazing work that somehow isn't translating into consistent bookings—or if you're exhausted from pitching clients who should already see your value—this episode will shift how you think about your portfolio entirely.

I'm sharing the exact 3-strategy framework that's helped me avoid cold pitching for over 6 years. Instead of chasing clients and convincing them I'm qualified, they come to me already sold on what I can do. This isn't about creating more content or perfecting your case studies—it's about strategically positioning the work you've already done so it does the selling for you.

You'll discover:

• Why treating your portfolio like a resume is keeping you in pitch mode (and what to do instead)
• The three specific places to position your results so clients discover your value before they ever reach out
• How to structure case studies that help potential clients envision their own transformation
• The psychology behind why this approach completely changes the sales conversation

The transformation: By the end of this episode, you'll understand exactly when, where, and how to position your portfolio so it attracts ideal clients who are already convinced they want to work with you.

If this approach resonates and you're ready to build case studies that actually convert, my Portfolio Building Class walks you through the exact templates and scripts I use. You'll get the same Canva template I used for case studies, plus strategic guidance for positioning yourself from day one—even if you're just starting out.

Links mentioned:

• Portfolio Building Class: https://shop.sugarpunchmarketing.com/collections/classes/products/portfolio (use code PORTFOLIO20 for $20 off)
• Sugarpunch Results Page: sugarpunchmarketing.com/results
• Marketing Strategy Class: https://shop.sugarpunchmarketing.com/collections/classes/products/marketing
• Reporting Results Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxbOVJdgZciAfbZlLP9tC2jvwIuvQMhwR

Your expertise deserves to be seen. Let's make sure the right people discover it.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Back Office

Your free resource hub with 7 years of Shanté's best trainings, templates, and field notes organized by topic. Everything that's helped her clients and mentees build profitable social media businesses—now in one searchable place.

You’ve been told to “show your value with data”—but what happens when the data still doesn’t land?

If you’re a social media manager or service provider who’s ever sent a beautifully designed report only to get silence (or worse, confusion) in return, this episode is going to feel like a deep exhale.

We’re unpacking the real reason most client reporting falls flat—and how to create reports that don’t just show numbers, but build trust.

Inside, Shanté shares the exact framework Sugarpunch uses to turn monthly metrics into clarity, context, and client retention gold.

You’ll hear:

• Why most reports fail (and how to tell if yours is one of them)
• The “Value-Clarity Framework” that reframes metrics as meaning
• The report structure that keeps our clients obsessed—and informed
• How to handle low numbers with transparency that builds loyalty
• The one change that made clients look forward to report day

If you’ve been craving a reporting process that reflects your strategy—not just your stats—this is your episode.

✨ If this resonates, you’ll love the Monthly Insights Report Template.

It’s the exact one we use for our clients—and it’ll cut your reporting time in half.

Grab it here:

https://shop.sugarpunchmarketing.com/collections/metrics-reporting/products/monthly-insights-results-report-template

You’re not bad at reporting.

You’ve just been taught to do it backwards.

Let’s fix that—together.

📁 RESOURCES & FREEBIES:

• Freebies for Social Media Managers – Grab my best guides for free!

• My Go-To Tools & Discounts – The exact tools I use to keep my business running smoothly, including contracts, software, and office supplies!

• Join the SMM Lounge (FREE Community!) The cozy corner of the internet for social media managers who get it. Connect, vent, and get insights from pros who are in it with you.

CONNECT WITH ME:

→ Website: https://sugarpunchmarketing.com/

→ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqe-IavMpS-DoIABKH2EjKQ

→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sugarpunchmarketing

→ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@sugarpunchmarketing

→ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sugarpunchmarketing

→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shantegorman/

→ Email: [email protected]

⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW & GET REWARDED: ⭐

Every month, I’m giving away a free template, class, or bundle to one lucky listener!

➤ Step 1: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

➤ Step 2: Send me a screenshot at @sugarpunchmarketing on Instagram

💌 I’ll reshare every single one—because good karma should come with perks. 💕

🎙️ New episodes drop every Friday! Follow & turn on notifications so you never miss a thing.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Back Office

Your free resource hub with 7 years of Shanté's best trainings, templates, and field notes organized by topic. Everything that's helped her clients and mentees build profitable social media businesses—now in one searchable place.

Feeling like you're building your agency on vibes and caffeine?

You're not alone. The first few years of running a social media management business can feel like nonstop improvising—especially when no one talks about the behind-the-scenes mistakes we all make.

In this anniversary episode, Shanté reflects on 7 real mistakes made while building Sugarpunch Marketing from scratch—and shares exactly what she’d do differently if she were starting over today.

You’ll walk away with:

• A clearer understanding of when (and how) to niche
• What to include in a portfolio clients actually care about
• Why building systems beats hustling harder
• What personal branding has to do with client trust
• How to manage finances in a way that protects your peace

This isn’t theory. It’s the systems, scripts, and boundaries that helped Sugarpunch scale—without selling out.

✨ If this resonates, you’ll love:

→ Take the free Content Seasons Quiz:

https://sugarpunchmarketing.com/quiz

→ Build your strategy with the Marketing Quickstarter Class:

https://shop.sugarpunchmarketing.com/collections/classes/products/marketing

→ Get your custom strategy done for you:

https://sugarpunchmarketing.com/strategy-retreat

Mentioned in this episode:

The Back Office

Your free resource hub with 7 years of Shanté's best trainings, templates, and field notes organized by topic. Everything that's helped her clients and mentees build profitable social media businesses—now in one searchable place.

You’re posting. You’re showing up. But the clients? Still quiet.

If your content looks polished but doesn’t convert, you’re not alone—and you’re not doing it wrong. You might just be building content like a creator, not a strategist.

In this episode, Shanté breaks down the 7 most common content strategy mistakes she sees across industries—mistakes that drain your time, cloud your messaging, and keep your audience stuck at “interested” instead of “ready to work with you.”

You’ll learn:

• Why posting like an influencer sabotages your strategy
• The 3 content types your business needs (and probably doesn’t have)
• How to align your content with the actual buyer decision journey
• Why most “viral” posts don’t convert—and what actually does
• How to stop doing more and start doing what works

This isn’t about going viral. It’s about building content that moves. Content that holds your voice, earns trust, and guides your audience from scroll to sale.

If this resonates, you’ll love:

✨ The Content Seasons Quiz — get clear on what your brand really needs right now

🎓 Marketing Quickstarter Class — build your content engine with strategy-backed templates

📅 Book a Strategy Retreat — done-for-you strategy, delivered in 2–3 weeks

💌 A SPECIAL THANK YOU FOR LISTENING: 💌

Because you’re listening, you get 15% off any class, template, or bundle in my shop! ✨ Use code POD15 at checkout → https://shop.sugarpunchmarketing.com/discount/POD15 (Expires June 6, 2025)

📁 RESOURCES & FREEBIES:

• Freebies for Social Media Managers – Grab my best guides for free!

• My Go-To Tools & Discounts – The exact tools I use to keep my business running smoothly, including contracts, software, and office supplies!

• Join the SMM Lounge (FREE Community!) The cozy corner of the internet for social media managers who get it. Connect, vent, and get insights from pros who are in it with you.

CONNECT WITH ME:

→ Website: https://sugarpunchmarketing.com/

→ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqe-IavMpS-DoIABKH2EjKQ

→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sugarpunchmarketing

→ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@sugarpunchmarketing

→ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sugarpunchmarketing

→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shantegorman/

→ Email: [email protected]

⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW & GET REWARDED: ⭐

Every month, I’m giving away a free template, class, or bundle to one lucky listener!

➤ Step 1: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

➤ Step 2: Send me a screenshot at @sugarpunchmarketing on Instagram

💌 I’ll reshare every single one—because good karma should come with perks. 💕

🎙️ New episodes drop every Friday! Follow & turn on notifications so you never miss a thing.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Back Office

Your free resource hub with 7 years of Shanté's best trainings, templates, and field notes organized by topic. Everything that's helped her clients and mentees build profitable social media businesses—now in one searchable place.

If content approvals are slowing you down, stressing you out, or making you want to chuck your calendar out the window—this one’s for you.

In this episode, I’m sharing the exact approval workflows I’ve built inside my agency to reduce back-and-forth, keep clients on track, and finally stop chasing feedback. You’ll hear what actually works (and what doesn’t), why we ditched scattered approvals forever, and how to choose the right tool—Canva or ClickUp—based on your business stage.

We’ll cover:

• The real reason content approvals break down (and how to fix it)
• Why multiple feedback channels = guaranteed chaos
• The Canva setup that’s perfect for solo SMMs
• The ClickUp workflow that saves my agency hours every week
• How to track status, simplify reviews, and keep clients engaged

No fluff. Just real systems that save time, reduce stress, and support sustainable growth.

✨ RESOURCES MENTIONED:

➤ Watch the ClickUp Setup in Action:

https://youtu.be/Ez9qz3ROlA0?si=0vEJDlCKrJT1992T

➤ Grab the Canva & ClickUp Templates:

https://shop.sugarpunchmarketing.com

➤ Our Go-To Scheduler:

https://f.mtr.cool/NOSAUM

➤ Join the Free SMM Lounge:

https://community.sugarpunchmarketing.com/

Ready to ditch approval chaos and create systems your clients actually use? Let’s get into it.

💌 A SPECIAL THANK YOU FOR LISTENING: 💌

Because you’re listening, you get 15% off any class, template, or bundle in my shop! ✨ Use code POD15 at checkout → https://shop.sugarpunchmarketing.com/discount/POD15 (Expires June 6, 2025)

📁 RESOURCES & FREEBIES:

• Freebies for Social Media Managers – Grab my best guides for free!

• My Go-To Tools & Discounts – The exact tools I use to keep my business running smoothly, including contracts, software, and office supplies!

• Join the SMM Lounge (FREE Community!) The cozy corner of the internet for social media managers who get it. Connect, vent, and get insights from pros who are in it with you.

CONNECT WITH ME:

→ Website: https://sugarpunchmarketing.com/

→ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqe-IavMpS-DoIABKH2EjKQ

→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sugarpunchmarketing

→ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@sugarpunchmarketing

→ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sugarpunchmarketing

→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shantegorman/

→ Email: [email protected]

⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW & GET REWARDED: ⭐

Every month, I’m giving away a free template, class, or bundle to one lucky listener!

➤ Step 1: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

➤ Step 2: Send me a screenshot at @sugarpunchmarketing on Instagram

💌 I’ll reshare every single one—because good karma should come with perks. 💕

🎙️ New episodes drop every Friday! Follow & turn on notifications so you never miss a thing.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Back Office

Your free resource hub with 7 years of Shanté's best trainings, templates, and field notes organized by topic. Everything that's helped her clients and mentees build profitable social media businesses—now in one searchable place.

Your systems should support your creativity—not drain it.

In this episode, I’m sharing the exact tech stack I use to run Sugarpunch Marketing®—from client calls and content scheduling to community building and automations. Whether you're just starting out or scaling your agency, this toolkit is full of practical solutions (plus a few time-saving secrets).

Inside this episode:

• The 6 tools I use daily to run my agency without chaos
• What makes each tool worth the investment
• My favorite alternatives to Zoom, Trello, and clunky schedulers
• How to choose the right tools for your current season of business
• Bonus tools for contracts, banking, and CRMs—plus exclusive discounts

MENTIONED:

https://sugarpunchmarketing.com/tools

💌 A SPECIAL THANK YOU FOR LISTENING: 💌

Because you’re listening, you get 15% off any class, template, or bundle in my shop! ✨ Use code POD15 at checkout → https://shop.sugarpunchmarketing.com/discount/POD15 (Expires June 6, 2025)

📁 RESOURCES & FREEBIES:

• Freebies for Social Media Managers – Grab my best guides for free!

• My Go-To Tools & Discounts – The exact tools I use to keep my business running smoothly, including contracts, software, and office supplies!

• Join the SMM Lounge (FREE Community!) The cozy corner of the internet for social media managers who get it. Connect, vent, and get insights from pros who are in it with you.

CONNECT WITH ME:

→ Website: https://sugarpunchmarketing.com/

→ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqe-IavMpS-DoIABKH2EjKQ

→ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sugarpunchmarketing

→ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@sugarpunchmarketing

→ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sugarpunchmarketing

→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shantegorman/

→ Email: [email protected]

⭐ LEAVE A REVIEW & GET REWARDED: ⭐

Every month, I’m giving away a free template, class, or bundle to one lucky listener!

➤ Step 1: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

➤ Step 2: Send me a screenshot at @sugarpunchmarketing on Instagram

💌 I’ll reshare every single one—because good karma should come with perks. 💕

🎙️ New episodes drop every Friday! Follow & turn on notifications so you never miss a thing.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Back Office

Your free resource hub with 7 years of Shanté's best trainings, templates, and field notes organized by topic. Everything that's helped her clients and mentees build profitable social media businesses—now in one searchable place.