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Aliya Hammond has learned to adapt to the challenges of being an entrepreneur. In 2008, she was set to launch her interior design business, but against the backdrop of an economic crash, instead switched gears to virtual assisting.

That’s where she found her career calling: Social media management and marketing. 

“People really needed help with social media,” said Hammond, who went on to launch her Montgomery County-based business, Aliya Hammond Consulting, in 2011.

By 2017 she had expanded her business to include social media training, in addition to social media strategy and execution.

Since then, she has worked to strategize and provide social media guidance for a number of organizations, including the Community College of Philadelphia’s Power Up Your Business Program, Cheyney University, and the American Society of Interior Designers. She has served as a social media coach for the Women’s Business Enterprise Council and participated in a digital marketing panel answering questions from students as part of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program. 

Soon after she began to offer social media training, SCORE Bucks County asked Hammond to fill in as a speaker for a social media workshop. Hammond led the workshop, as well as others to follow, and enlisted SCORE mentor Bill Grant to help guide her business endeavors.

“Bill has a lot of wonderful experience and great knowledge,” Hammond said. “He’s been able to help me in terms of finding things and connecting with people. Bill is a good sounding board and gives me direction. He listens and gives some really good advice.”

Like Hammond, one of Grant’s specialties is strategy and planning. When it comes to leveraging social media to market businesses, the most important aspect – regardless of industry – is to have a strategy.

“You have to figure out what your goals and objectives are,” she said. “Sometimes the end result is ‘I want someone to book a phone call with me or get a click through to the website.’” 

Given the virtual nature of her business, Hammond collaborates with clients everywhere regarding the social media marketing piece, including in New York, South Carolina, and Illinois. She trains on a variety of topics, including repurposing content, online marketing, as well as trainings related to various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.

“People want to understand how the platforms work and what types of content they should be posting,” Hammond said. “People are looking for ways to grow their following, get engagement and generate leads and sales.”

To learn more

Enrollment is open for Aliya Hammond Consulting’s Winter Social Media Coaching Program. Registration will close on Feb. 1. Space is limited. Visit aliyahammond.com for information or to register!