The Social Media Manager Lab
Review

Roadmap for Aspiring Social Media Managers to Build and Scale a Sustainable Business

Easy
  • Last updated 14/06/2025
by Millie Adrian

What you'll learn ? Overview

We spent considerable time investigating The Modern Influencer by Millie Adrian (you might know her as @itsmodernmillie), and here's what we discovered. This self-paced online course promises to transform aspiring content creators into professional social media managers with sustainable businesses.

The course caught our attention with its comprehensive framework, covering everything from personal brand foundation to advanced monetization strategies. Millie positions this as more than just another "get famous quick" scheme, instead focusing on building legitimate business skills for the creator economy.

What makes this interesting? The course emphasizes sustainable growth over viral hacks. We noticed the curriculum includes modules on avoiding burnout, systems organization, and long-term business planning, topics often overlooked in this space.

The program targets beginners who want structure in their approach to social media management. Through video lessons, templates, and community support, students learn to establish their niche, create content strategies, secure brand partnerships, and scale their operations. Millie leverages her own experience building a six-figure creator business to guide students through practical, tested strategies.

One thing that stood out during our review: the course focuses heavily on User-Generated Content (UGC) as a monetization path, which has become increasingly relevant as brands seek authentic content creators. This positions students to tap into a growing market segment that many traditional social media courses miss.

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Is this course for you?

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Prior experience needed

Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)

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Time commitment

light Light (1–5 Hours/Week)

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Learning style

Self-Paced (Work On Your Own Schedule)

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Goal

Learn A New Skill

Best suited for:

Ideal for aspiring influencers starting from zero, creative individuals wanting to monetize their social presence, or small business owners looking to build personal brands. Less suitable for established creators seeking advanced strategies or those expecting passive income.

Instructor

Millie Adrian

Social Media Educator and Content Creation Strategist Legitimacy Score: 8/10
Millie Adrian, known online as 'Modern Millie,' is a dedicated online educator who specializes in teaching aspiring social media influencers how to monetize their Instagram presence and build successful personal brands. With her YouTube channel boasting 246,000 subscribers and an Instagram following of 117,000, she has established herself as a go-to resource for content creators seeking to navigate the complexities of social media growth and engagement strategies. Her educational content focuses on practical, actionable advice for turning creative passions into profitable businesses.
Millie's journey began in 2008 when she created a YouTube channel with her brother that lasted nine years. After spending five years in a corporate environment where she served as a project manager overseeing development and marketing teams, she rekindled her creative passion through Instagram blogging and YouTube content creation. In October 2019, she took the leap to become a full-time content creator, leaving her 9-to-5 job behind. Previously, she also worked as a dance teacher for nine years and had considered pursuing a master's in liberal studies to become a full-time teacher.
- Generated over $400,000 USD through online courses since launching them in 2021
- Enrolled 600 students in her social media courses
- Built an Instagram following of 117,000 followers
- Grew a YouTube channel to 246,000 subscribers
- Successfully transitioned from corporate employment to full-time content creation in 2019
- Featured guest on the 'Stay Paid' podcast discussing Instagram strategies
- Interview with Voyage LA about her entrepreneurial journey (2020)
- Guest speaker sharing 'Killer Instagram Tips' in a YouTube feature (2022)
Millie dominates the digital landscape with consistent content across multiple platforms. Her YouTube channel serves as her primary educational hub where she regularly shares the latest social media strategies and trends for content creators. On Instagram (@itsmodernmillie), she demonstrates the techniques she teaches, covering topics from engagement tactics to photography tips and personal branding strategies.

Course Details

  • ⏱ Duration0
  • 📶 DifficultyEasy
  • ⌛ Access Lifetime
  • ⏰ Time investmentLight (1–5 Hours/Week)

🧠 Prerequisites

No prior experience required, basic familiarity with social media platforms helpful


💻 Requirements

Computer or smartphone with internet access, basic photo/video capability for content creation


💸 Hidden Costs

Potential need for content creation tools (Canva Pro ~$120/year), scheduling software (Later or Planoly ~$15-25/month), though free alternatives exist


🙋‍♂️ Support Options

Private community group, email support (live coaching not included at this tier)

Course content

  • Module 1: Brand Foundation Discovering your niche, defining your unique value proposition, brand positioning strategy
  • Module 2: Platform Mastery Instagram growth tactics, YouTube optimization, TikTok fundamentals, multi-platform strategies
  • Module 3: Content Strategy & Creation Content pillars development, batch creation systems, storytelling techniques, caption writing
  • Module 4: Community Building Engagement strategies, DM tactics, community management, audience retention
  • Module 5: Monetization Pathways Brand partnership pitching, UGC opportunities, affiliate marketing, product creation basics
  • Module 6: Business Systems Time management, content calendars, automation tools, scaling strategies
  • Bonuses: Email templates, media kit designs, pricing calculators, content planning worksheets

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Feedbacks

Overall sentiment

The general reception leans positive among beginners and intermediate creators. Students appreciate the structured approach and practical focus, though some experienced professionals find the content basic for the premium price point.

Praised points

  • Clear, actionable framework that beginners can actually implement
  • Emphasis on sustainable business practices rather than quick-win tactics
  • Supportive community with active instructor engagement

Criticisms

  • High price point ($997) compared to competitor courses
  • Limited advanced strategies for experienced social media managers
  • Course duration not specified, making time investment unclear

Testimonials

"Finally understood how to grow without burning out, this changed everything!" - Sarah K., Course Graduate

"Landed my first $2,000 brand deal after Module 5!" - Jessica M., Instagram Creator

"The templates alone saved me 10+ hours per week" - Marcus T., Social Media Manager

"Wish there was more on TikTok strategies, but Instagram content is gold" - Rachel P., Content Creator

"Best investment for understanding the business side of being a creator" - David L., YouTube Creator

Social insights

Reddit discussions reveal mixed perspectives. One user in r/socialmediamarketing noted, "The course structure is solid for beginners, but you're paying premium prices for foundational content." Meanwhile, Instagram comments on Millie's posts show enthusiastic support from her community, with many crediting her guidance for their first brand deals.

Video review

Marketing Analysis

Claim Verification

Millie's claim of building a $400K creator business appears verified through her Thinkific case study. The promise to teach "sustainable creator business" aligns with curriculum content, though individual results will vary significantly.

Price History

Current price of $997 represents a significant increase from earlier versions. No current discounts or payment plans advertised on main site.

Upsell Practices

Minimal aggressive upselling noted. Focus remains on the core course purchase without immediate pressure for additional programs.

Student Success

Millie Adrian's Thinkific case study confirms her business success. Several students report landing brand deals and UGC opportunities, though most testimonials come from official channels rather than independent sources.

Platform & Delivery

Learning Platform

Hosted on Thinkific, a reliable and established course platform with consistent uptime and user-friendly interface

Content Accessibility

Lifetime access to all materials, downloadable resources included. Video content streams online (downloading typically restricted on Thinkific)

Mobile Compatibility

Full mobile access through Thinkific's responsive design and mobile app

Technical Requirements

Standard internet connection (5+ Mbps for video streaming), any device from 2015 or newer

Red flags check

😬

Complaints

No significant complaints about content delivery or scam allegations. Primary concerns center on the $997 price point and the lack of transparent refund policy details on the main sales page.

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Refund policy issues

The refund policy isn't prominently displayed on the course landing page. Prospective students must contact support for details, which raises transparency concerns at this price point.

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Marketing practices

Marketing emphasizes realistic outcomes and skill development rather than overnight success promises. Millie openly shares her $400K revenue achievement while positioning it as the result of sustained effort, not a guaranteed outcome.

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Community feedback

Community sentiment remains largely positive within Millie's ecosystem. No reports of major issues or coordinated complaints found in public forums.

Is this course legit?

Value For Money

At $997, The Modern Influencer sits at the upper edge of Mid Ticket pricing. For complete beginners, the structured approach and comprehensive curriculum may justify the investment, especially considering lifetime access. However, motivated self-learners could piece together similar information through free resources, making this a question of convenience versus cost.

Conclusion

After thorough investigation, we find The Modern Influencer to be a legitimate educational product that delivers on its core promise of teaching creator business fundamentals. Millie Adrian brings genuine expertise, having built her own successful creator business, and the Thinkific platform ensures reliable content delivery.

The course excels in providing structure for beginners who feel overwhelmed by the creator economy. Its focus on sustainable practices and UGC opportunities reflects current market realities better than many competitor courses still pushing outdated influencer tactics.

However, the $997 price point raises expectations that the course may not fully meet. Without specified duration, advanced modules, or live coaching components typically expected at this tier, value perception becomes highly individual. The missing transparent refund policy compounds this concern.

We recommend this course for motivated beginners with budget flexibility who value structured learning and community support. Those seeking advanced strategies or working with tighter budgets should explore alternatives. Overall, it's a solid educational investment that could accelerate your creator journey, just ensure the premium price aligns with your learning preferences and financial situation.

FAQs about this course

It's a self-paced online program by Millie Adrian focused on building a sustainable content creator business, covering everything from brand development to monetization strategies.

The course is currently priced at $997 with lifetime access. Payment plans aren't advertised on the main site.

No prior experience required. The course is designed for complete beginners though those with basic social media knowledge may progress faster.

Course duration isn't specified by the creator. Based on the curriculum scope, most students likely complete it within 4-8 weeks at 1-5 hours per week.

You get lifetime access to all video modules, downloadable templates, worksheet resources, email scripts, and access to the private community.

The course includes community access and email support. One-on-one coaching isn't included at this price tier.

Refund policy details aren't publicly displayed. You'll need to contact support directly for terms before purchasing.

She's a full-time content creator and educator with 200K+ YouTube subscribers who built a $400K creator business teaching sustainable influencer strategies.

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The Social Media Manager Lab screenshot
The Social Media Manager Lab Review
$ 997
Total score: 7,6/10 ⭐
  • Duration0
  • DifficultyEasy
  • Release Date01/2021
  • Format Self-Paced
  • AccessLifetime
  • Time InvestmentLight (1–5 Hours/Week)
  • Payment Options One-Time
  • LanguageEnglish
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Our Methodology

At IsThisCourseLegit, we're committed to providing objective and transparent evaluations. Our rating system is based on rigorous criteria evaluated by experienced entrepreneurs who have built and sold successful online businesses.

Our Rating System

Each course is rated on a scale of 1-10 across key categories including content quality, value for money, community support, results potential, and update maintenance. The overall score reflects our comprehensive assessment of the course's value and effectiveness.

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The Social Media Manager Lab Review