Today we’d like to introduce you to Don McClain.
Hi Don, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In the summer of 2021, I was paired with HeartSmiles’ Success Sessions as my virtual work site with YouthWorks.
From then on, I’ve been with HeartSmiles ever since and it feels like home. My first paid project was The Youth Food Security Network (@youthfoodsecurity), which is a project geared towards ensuring that everyone in Baltimore, Maryland has access to healthy and nutritious foods; and it has been up ever since!
With personal workshops and professional/leadership development sessions I was inspired to pursue my passions and begin my own business, however, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do.
At the peak of YouthWorks in 2022, as a Mentor, Facilitator in Schools, and a Leader of leaders, I was placed on HeartSmiles’ Community Crime Reduction Team (@heartbeatscrime) in which our first meeting we broke down the team into roles, one being a “Social Media Team”. Quickly, I hopped on the opportunity to join this said team as I always admired the great lengths to which Social Media can positively influence audiences!
Once Ms. Joni Holifield (CEO & Founder of HeartSmiles) heard I was interested in social media managing she contacted me about an opportunity to go to all in, with different clients and I was immediately intrigued.
After a couple of days of thinking and brainstorming, I met with Ms. Joni and discussed how my business would look, how my prices would serve Entrepreneurs, and how I would influence people intentionally. From there I started my Social Media Management business (@thedonmanner) and Facilitated a session on Social Media Management at the 2022 Mayor’s Summit!
Some examples of the work I’ve done on social media include @cah_yab, @youthfoodsecurity, @xclsvdon, @thedonmanner, @heartbeatscrime, and @pixie__photography!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road and there have been some struggles.
One of my main struggles was how to gain more clientele as a “non-certified” Social Media Manager, for which I sought Ms. Joni’s input and she inspired me to start a “How to” series of episodes where I talk about engagement and networking through social media!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Social media: The D.O.N. Way is a business that seeks to make life easier for entrepreneurs – it helps them work ON their business and not IN their business.
It’s a stress reliever and a way to bring your vision for your social media alive.
“The D.O.N. Way” stands for The Direct, On-time, and Nimble-minded Way.
I created an acronym out of my name to show people that you define your voice, not find your voice!
What sets me apart from others is that I take the time to listen to my audience and support them in the ways I can!
I want readers to know that when it comes to starting a business you MUST know your worth – it’s okay to start out with lower prices, but as your clientele and skills increase, so should your profit and services – there is ALWAYS space to grow!
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
With finding a mentor I say find people who have your bests interests in mind.
The law of attraction: You attract minds similar to yours, so remove those not needed from your tables!
When it comes to networking I’d say this is THE most important thing when it comes to running a business.
There is no such thing as “self-made” as your network will help you in more ways than you can see.
So when it comes to Networking, Just Do it, like Nike!
Pricing:
- Silver Pack ($120 a month): 1 reel, 1 story, & 1-page post per week on TikTok & IG
- Gold ($150 a month): 2 reels, 2 stories, & 2-page posts per week on TikTok & IG
- Diamond ($200 a month): 1 reel, 2 stories, 1-page post daily on TikTok & IG
- Flyers are $10
- Pay in advance (10% Discount on any pack) 25% non-refundable payment in advance, and 75% payment at the end of each month If the balance isn’t paid within 5 days of the ending of the cycle, all services will stop
Contact Info:
- Website: thedonmanner.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedonmanner/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donovan.mcclain.18
- Other: https://linktr.ee/xclsvdon
Image Credits
Kamri Moses, Don McClain, and Breyanna Dabney
