Am I Ready to Hire a Social Media Manager?
By Siân Morgan-Owen, Digitally Dazzling
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links for which I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase. I only recommend products I love.
Am I Ready to Hire a Social Media Manager?
Before we get into the nitty gritty of whether or not you’re ready to hire a social media manager/agency, let’s have a quick chat about what a social media manager is.
What is a Social Media Manager?
Believe it or not a social media manager (SMM) does what it says on the tin. A social media manager strategically manages a company’s social media presence. Most social media managers/agencies have different packages and levels but generally are responsible for creating content (with your collaboration), monitoring analytics, reputation management, relationship building etc. Dependent on your requirements generally the goal of a social media manager is to raise brand awareness and increase engagement across your social media platforms.
A good social media manager will have an understanding of the platforms they’re using and will be able to craft content that resonates with your target audience. They’ll also be able to take advantage of the most effective tools and tactics available, such as scheduling posts, creating compelling visuals, and using hashtags to reach a wider audience.
Genie Tip: Communicate regularly with your social media manager. Have strategy calls so you can tell them what your business plans and goals are. There is no point launching a new service/course/membership etc and not sharing this information with your social media manager (believe me, it happens!)
3 reasons why you may not be ready to hire a social media manager.
Firstly, you might not be ready for a social media manager or agency. The thought of hiring a social media manager sounds great in theory, but its got to be the right decision for you.
- You’re still not sure what you’re trying to accomplish.
A successful social media strategy needs to have a clear goal in mind.
Are you looking:
- For more exposure
- To increase followers
- To drive sales
- To educate people
- To build an audience/list of warm leads
Building a rapport with your social media manager and you both having a clear understanding of your goals, brand and mission is a crucial step in ensuring that your social media efforts are effective and aligned with your overall business objectives.
Genie Tip: If your current overall business vision and strategy is more of a tragedy and you know you really need to pin this down to move your business forward then I thoroughly recommend Commercially Sassy. Kirsty has an amazing Strategy and Sass session on offer at the moment, which has really helped me in my business.
- You don’t have the budget.
Hiring a social media manager isn’t free. While there are many talented people in the industry who charge reasonable rates, you’ll still need to set up a budget to cover their services. If you’re not sure how much you can afford to spend, it’s best to wait until you have a better idea of what you can allocate to your social media presence. A lot of social media managers have their packages clearly on their website. So, take some time to collect a few prices to get an idea.
Genie Tip: If you find that the prices for social media management services are higher than what you were expecting, it can be a good idea to try doing some of the work yourself first.
By planning out your posts for the month, creating the content and graphics, and scheduling the content, you’ll gain a better understanding of the amount of work that goes into managing a consistent social media presence. You’ll also get a sense of how much time and effort it takes to create content, track metrics, engage with your audience and adjust your strategy accordingly.
If you enjoy the process and find that you’re able to manage your social media presence effectively on your own, that’s great! You may find that you’re able to save money and get better results by doing it yourself.
On the other hand, if you find that managing your social media presence is overwhelming, not floating your boat or taking up too much of your time, it may be time to pop social media management on your vision board and have it as an outsourcing goal to work towards.
- You’re not ready to delegate.
Do you really want to hand over control of your accounts to someone else? Managing a social media presence can take up a lot of time and energy, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Before you hire someone, you should make sure you’re comfortable with relinquishing control of your accounts. You should also make sure you’re prepared to provide clear instructions and feedback to your manager/agency.
Genie Tip: Outsourcing can be an effective way to grow your business. If you know it’s time to think about outsourcing or hiring but you just don’t know where to start then I can recommend Zoe Brinn, Conscious Leadership Consultant & Systems Strategist. Zoe’s support and knowledge is helping me take my business to the next level.
It’s perfectly fine if you’re not ready to hire a social media manager yet. Ultimately, the key to success with social media is to be consistent, engage with your audience, and continually evaluate and adjust your strategy as needed. If you’re managing your social media presence yourself then check out my blogs for plenty of support and ideas, especially 3.5 Ways to Speed up Content Creating.
How do you know you’re ready for a social media manager
Hiring a social media manager or agency is a big decision to make and you want to ensure that you are ready for the commitment. Here are a few signs that you are ready for a social media manager:
- I can see clearly now…
You know what you want to use social media for, you know what your business goals are and have a strategy.
- It’s consistently challenging…
Managing your social media accounts is taking up too much of your time and energy, or you’re finding it challenging to post consistently.
- Nah…it’s just not my jam…
You don’t enjoy it, it’s not your zone of genius and you need to focus on other aspects of your business.
- It’s all Instabook and TwitterIn…
You might have basic knowledge of the platforms but you don’t have the expertise, skills or the desire to manage them effectively.
Outsourcing can be a powerful tool for growing your business, but it’s important to approach it strategically and with a clear plan in place. Start by researching, outlining your expectations and getting support (check out Zoe Brinn) with the process if necessary.
How do you find the right social media manager?
Social media managers/agencies are two a penny, toss a bitcoin in Facebook and you’ll hit twenty. However, that doesn’t mean they are all right for you. So do your due diligence and find someone that’s right for you and your business.
- Niche
Look for someone who has experience in your industry or niche. They should have a stronger understanding of your business, your customer and your competitor.
- Communication is key
Communication and collaboration are essential when working with a social media manager or agency. Look for someone who communicates clearly, is responsive, and values collaboration. They should be able to work with you to develop a social media strategy that aligns with your brand and goals, and they should be open to feedback and willing to adjust their approach as needed.
Genie Tip: A good social media manager will have a wealth of experience and knowledge. They may be able to offer insights or ideas that you hadn’t considered. It’s all about finding the right balance between collaboration and trust.
- My money don’t jiggle jiggle…
Budget and pricing is important and social media management services and pricing can vary quite widely. Consider your budget and the value you expect to receive from the services. Look for a social media manager or agency who offers a transparent pricing structure and is willing to work within your budget.
- Word gets around…
Don’t forget to ask around – your connections may be able to point you in the right direction. If you know anyone in the industry or have a business connection who has previously hired a social media manager or agency, they may be able to save you time and hassle in your search!
Genie Warning: This is a HUGE bug bear of mine. If you frequent the type of referral networking groups that only have ‘one’ business per industry at their table, then be aware that they are the ones that will be referred to you. From personal experience it’s usually a referral for referral sake and not because they are the best person/company for the task or the best fit for you. So again, do your due diligence.
- Trust your gut
I can’t stress this enough. Listen to your intuition, it’s telling you something. If it doesn’t feel right, then it usually isn’t. I have ignored my business gut (and personal for that matter) so many times and it’s bitten in the a$$. Look for someone who you feel comfortable working with and who you believe will be a good fit for your business. If you have a discovery call with a social media manager or agency who you feel doesn’t align with your brand, they should totally understand.
Final Thoughts!
Finding the right social media manager or agency can take time and effort, but by taking a strategic approach and evaluating potential candidates based on their experience, communication and collaboration skills, pricing, and fit with your business, you can find a social media manager or agency who can help take your social media efforts to the next level.
Feel free to check out my own packages to get an idea of potential costs. Or feel free to book a call with me to discuss further.
