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Should I keep doing free media work for my cafe?
I work for a small cafe that just opened. I am a university student in stem. The cafe had no social media and is loosing money. I grew out Instagram to 700 followers in 2 weeks and post daily reels that get on average 3k-4K views each. It has helped us get some customers, however it is still not busy enough and everyone’s hours got cut. I went from getting 40 hours a week to 30 hours a week with no warning. I am also getting paid minimum wage. My manager now asked me to post daily videos to help the company grow, but I am upset that my hours got cut and no longer really want to. I am barely making enough money to survive. I have applied to other jobs. My manger is kinda and told me that he needed to cut ours because he can’t afford to be open when we are not busy. What do I do?
Additional information:
I am a young girl and I am using my face to help us sell products in my videos.
When other staff post they only get around 600 views.
I am shy to ask for compensation (I’m already getting paid minimum wage and do this additional work during my shift)
I probably bring in around 30% or clients.
I have no prior experience in social media. -
1 Reply
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I know you said you’re shy, but if you don’t find the courage to ask you won’t get. Ask for a quick word with your boss, explain what you have contributed, tell them you are struggling to live on your current wage and ask for your hours to be reinstated or a pay rise. If they say no see if there are other cafes or businesses you would like to work for in the area with no or little social media presence, present what you were able to do for your current employer and can do for them. If they offer you a job, negotiate a better wage and hours which you can either accept or take to your current boss for one last chance to match or make you a better offer. You could even do this first which will give you more confidence to approach the subject as you will have some power behind you.
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You are doing an incredibly important thing for your employer that deserved compensation. Request a raise and a reinstatement of previous hours in order to keep doing it. This goes to anyone contributing to their socials.
This is the most important part: if they say no, then immediately cease doing any work you weren’t explicitly hired to do. Do your cafe work and nothing for socials until you are compensated for it.
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Never work for free.
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Your manager should be paying you for the free media work all that you have bought to the cafe pay that young lady her money 💰 good luck stay blessed 🙏🏾
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You’re obviously way better than what they have to offer. And are definitely taken advantage of it. You should speak to them about it, and if they’re not willing to recognize it, leave and go where you’re compensated fairly.
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What’s the Instagram handle?
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If you’re doing the work while at work them you’re already being paid for it. If you’re editing, commenting, engaging while not at work you’re not getting paid like you should.
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Doing this work during your shift is fair. Doing it outside of your shift and not getting paid for it would not be fair. However you can ask for a raise if you feel its worthwhile to do so. Also your manager is free to say no to a raise, and free to fire you if you stop doing the postings (dependent on your local laws)
If you want to push for it, make coupon code, and each day you post say todays coupon code is x. Only good for today. In store, track how many people use code X. After you get some metrics Go to boss, say you want a raise, or 10% of x sales or something like that.
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This is a great opportunity to work on setting boundaries and resetting expectations. It sounds like you are essentially fulfilling the role of a social media manager and content creator/editor. While it’s nice that your boss is pleasant, that shouldn’t be a reason for you to be underpaid. Not charging appropriately for your work can negatively impact your perception of your worth in the field and any enjoyment in it as well.
I recommend scheduling a meeting with your boss to discuss your responsibilities and duties. Prepare an ongoing proposal or even a contract for managing the cafe’s social media accounts.
Remember, his inability to run a profitable business shouldn’t come at the expense of your fair compensation. Make sure you’re being paid for the value you bring to the table.
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Yes keep doing it, then use it as an example of your work to attract paying clients.
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