Freelance Social Media Content Creator

17th Street Deli is looking for a creative, reliable and social-media-savvy content creator to help bring our neighborhood deli to life online.

We have been serving the Costa Mesa community since 1989, and we are looking for someone who can help us tell our story through engaging, authentic content that showcases our sandwiches, catering, team, community and personality.

This is a freelance independent contractor opportunity, not a traditional employee position or internship. College enrollment is not required. We welcome applications from students, recent graduates, aspiring creators, early-career freelancers and others who are actively building experience in social media, photography, video or digital marketing.

What You’ll Create

Each month, the creator will produce approximately

• 8 polished social media feed posts
• 4 short-form Reels
• 8–12 Instagram Story sets
• 1 monthly content calendar
• 1–2 short on-site content-capture sessions at the deli
• Captions and basic copywriting
• Photo and short-form video editing
• Content featuring catering and group orders on a regular basis
• Seasonal, community and promotional content
• A short monthly performance recap highlighting what worked and ideas for the following month

Content may include

• Sandwiches and menu items
• Catering orders and party trays
• Behind-the-scenes preparation
• Team and deli culture
• Local Costa Mesa community content
• Seasonal and limited-time offerings
• Customer favorites
• Deli history and personality
• Special campaigns and recurring features

What We’re Looking For

You may be a good fit if you

• Have a strong eye for food, lifestyle or local-business content
• Enjoy creating Instagram Reels, Stories and photo content
• Understand what makes short-form content engaging
• Can write natural, concise captions
• Are organized and able to meet agreed deadlines
• Are comfortable coming to our Costa Mesa location for occasional content capture
• Have your own smartphone, camera and/or basic content-creation equipment
• Can edit your own photos and videos
• Are comfortable receiving brand feedback and making reasonable revisions
• Are interested in building a strong real-world portfolio

Previous restaurant experience is not required.

A formal marketing degree is not required.

College enrollment is not required.

Freelance Structure

This is a 3-month pilot contract at:

$500 per month

$1,500 total for the initial 3-month term

The freelancer will determine their own working hours and production process, subject to mutually agreed content deadlines and occasional on-site content-capture sessions.

The freelancer may work with other clients and will generally use their own equipment and software.

All public-facing content must receive approval from 17th Street Deli before publication.

If the relationship is successful, there may be an opportunity to continue working together after the initial 3-month term.

How to Apply

Please send

• A brief introduction
• Links to your Instagram, TikTok, portfolio or examples of content you have created
• Any food, restaurant, lifestyle or small-business content you have produced
• One idea for a Reel you would create for 17th Street Deli
• One idea for promoting our catering business
• Your general availability for occasional on-site content capture in Costa Mesa

We care much more about creativity, reliability and good instincts than years of experience.

Pay: $500.00 per month

Benefits

* Flexible schedule

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Costa Mesa, CA 92627