How To Hire A Social Media Manager That Won’t Disappoint

If you’re reading this, you’re either considering hiring a social media manager or have already made the decision to do so. To help you in your search, I’m going to tell you exactly what you need to know to make the right hire for your business.

I started working in digital marketing almost 10 years ago and have learned a thing or two along the way about succeeding as a social media specialist. This why I can confidently tell you exactly what to look for so you don’t waste time or money when outsourcing help!

Read on to learn what a social media manager does, how much they may charge, and where to find one. Most importantly, I’m going to walk you through the basics of hiring a social media manager that won’t disappoint you! 

What does a social media manager do?

There is a lot that goes into social media management beyond posting and liking pictures. Not understanding the role properly can often lead businesses to undermine the work being done or set wrong expectations.

Some aspects of the social media management include:

1. Content Creation/Design – coming up with ideas of what to post and creating or finding the images to go along with the post.
2. Content Planning – devising a strategy behind what to post on which days.
3. Copywriting – writing captions that actually make your followers stop, read, and engage.
4. Scheduling – using an app like Later to auto-schedule your posts.
5. Engaging – interacting with users in your target audience by replying to DM’s, liking, commenting, and etc.

Why hire a social media manager?

If you’re not completely sold on the idea of a social media manager, I don’t blame you as it is an extra expense for your business. However, there are great benefits to consider.

The number one reason to hire a specialist is for expertise.

Let’s face it–you’re probably not a social media expert. It’s unlikely that you read up on the latest algorithm trends in your down time–you’re too busy handling clients, helping the kiddos with school, and making sure the house is decently clean. 

A specialist on the other hand eats and breathes all things social media, so they’re going to know how to use it more effectively than you.

A second reason to outsource is that you save precious non-billable time that can be used to develop other parts of your business.

As a mom, you only have so many hours in a day to dedicate to your biz. Wouldn’t you prefer to use that time for billable hours or to take your little one to the park? Do you really want to spend that extra time trying to figure out how to add text overlay to your Instagram reels?

When you start out as an entrepreneur, you will DIY many aspects of your business, but there comes a time when you have to wise up and delegate tasks so you can properly sustain and develop your biz (without overwhelming yourself). 

What should I look for when I hire a social media specialist?

I’m going to keep it real–social media management is an oversaturated market.

Wherever I turn left or right I see someone starting a new agency or trying to break into the field. Because of that, you will also get a lot of people who are willing to work for very low rates yet they might not know what they’re doing. 

So how do you know who to hire? What factors determine if they’re the right person for the job?

The first thing you should do is decide the level of expertise appropriate for your business. 

Are you looking for an affordable VA that can just schedule some pins for you? Or are you looking for a strategist that can repurpose your content and bring conversions? 

Setting realistic expectations for the budget you choose is key to making sure you don’t get disappointed!

If you need simple services done, a general VA may be all you need–but if you’re looking for a qualified strategist it will cost more. Here are some tips and best practices for conducting a successful search:

1. First ask people you trust. If you can find a specialist who has already proven themselves, that will save you the headache of wondering if you made a good investment.
2. Check for credentials like a portfolio, website, LinkedIn page, or other social handles. Make sure you review related work. Ask to see past results from whichever services you need.
3. Request testimonials or references.
4. Ask the hard questions. Be kind, but don’t hold back asking anything you want to know if it’s going to impact your business.

Finding A Specialist In Your Niche

Some social media managers specialize in working with specific industries or niches. For example, I specialize in working with mom-led businesses. Some professionals work mainly with real estate agents, coaches, bloggers, or etc. 

Finding a niche-specific contractor can be a great asset as they’ll understand the ins-and-outs of your industry and need less hand-holding. If this is something you’re interested in, make sure to include it in your job posting!

How much does a social media manager charge?

Going rates for social media services vary vastly based on the service and the contractor’s experience level. A few factors to consider are:

• You get what you pay for–someone who is more skilled and experienced will charge a higher rate.
• If you’re looking for a bargain, you may pay for it later if you don’t see the quality of results you were hoping for. 
• Out of eagerness to work, an inexperienced contractor may overpromise and underdeliver. 

There is nothing wrong with giving new people a chance–just make sure that whoever you hire can deliver the results you’re looking for.

Where do I find a social media manager?

So you’ve decided on the deliverables, set a budget, and are ready to start looking–now the question is, where?! 

The best place to start is by asking peers in your industry for recommendations. Another way to scout for talent is via Facebook groups.

If you decide to use Facebook, search for groups within your industry or niche, and create a post (if allowed) asking for recommendations of a social media manager. 

When sharing a job posting, make sure you are crystal clear on your requirements. By giving as much information as possible upfront, you reduce the number of people reaching out with basic questions (which wastes time).

A few things you should include:

• Your budget
• Which social media platforms you need to be managed
• Which services you need
• Level of experience you’re looking for
• Any additional requirements that are important to you
• Instructions for applying or the best way to reach you

It’s important to clarify that people should ONLY respond if they meet your requirements. This narrows down applications to only the most qualified candidates, saving you time.

Conclusion 

Outsourcing help for your business can be nerve-racking, so I hope my post gives you the clarity and confidence you need to find the perfect hire for your social media.

Pssst…if you’re interested in learning more about my social media services, head over to my services page or contact me directly. Would love to hear about your business 🙂