Before You Hire a Social Media Manager, Ask Yourself These Questions.
Alright, so you're thinking about hiring a social media manager. Maybe you’re drowning in hashtags, reels, and algorithms, or maybe you’re just sick of seeing posts go out with zero likes (ouch, right?). A social media manager can definitely be the hero of your brand story – but before you hit “hire,” there are a few questions you need to ask yourself to make sure this hire is the right move.
Let’s dive into what you should really be considering before bringing on a social media wizard. Spoiler: it’s about way more than just posting pretty pictures.
1. What Do I Actually Want From a Social Media Manager?
This sounds obvious, but seriously – what do you want? Are you after someone to grow your followers, drive website traffic, increase sales, or just keep your Instagram alive and kicking? Social media managers wear a lot of hats, so getting specific about your goals will help you find the right fit.
Think about it this way: if your goal is brand awareness, that’s a different strategy than wanting a high volume of sales from posts. A good social media manager will tailor their approach to meet your objectives, so make sure you know what those are.
Key Questions:
Am I looking for engagement, sales, or something else?
Do I need help across all platforms, or just one or two?
2. What’s My Budget, and Is It Realistic?
Social media management isn’t free – or at least, effective social media management isn’t. Budget is a big one here. You’re paying for more than just someone’s time; you’re paying for their expertise, creativity, and ability to keep up with rapidly changing trends.
Think of it like this: paying for quality social media management is like investing in a home renovation. You can DIY it, but it’s going to take a lot longer and might not be quite the masterpiece you were hoping for. So, be real with yourself about what your budget can handle and adjust your expectations if needed.
Key Questions:
How much am I actually willing to invest each month?
Am I looking for full-time management, or would part-time support work?
3. Is My Brand Voice Clearly Defined?
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: a social media manager can do wonders, but they’re not magicians.
If you don’t have a clear brand voice, they’ll be guessing, and your audience will feel it. Before you bring someone on, take a moment to define your voice. Are you the friendly, approachable brand? The no-nonsense expert? The go-to for humor?
If your brand voice is already solid, amazing! But if it’s still a work in progress, be ready to collaborate with your social media manager to define and develop it. Social media is essentially an extension of your brand’s personality, so getting this right is everything.
Key Questions:
Can I describe my brand’s tone in a few words?
Are there brands I admire for their voice? Why?
4. Do I Have Content Ready, or Will My Social Media Manager Need to Create It?
This is a biggie. Some social media managers are just that – managers who plan, schedule, and engage. Others are full-on content creators who design graphics, take photos, and write copy like it’s nobody’s business. Figure out what you’re looking for here.
If you’ve already got a stash of visuals and a killer brand guide, that’s fantastic. But if you’re hoping your social media manager will whip up everything from scratch, make sure that’s part of the deal from the get-go. Not every manager is a content creator, and you don’t want to be caught off guard.
Key Questions:
Do I already have content that they can use, or will they be creating from scratch?
Am I prepared to invest in tools (like Canva or Photoshop) or provide resources? Hint: We already use these tools so no extra investment if you’re our client!
5. Am I Ready to Give This Manager the Reins (And Some Trust)?
It’s tempting to want to control every caption, image, and hashtag, but here’s the truth: if you’re hiring a social media manager, it’s because they know what they’re doing. Yes, you can provide input and feedback, but for the best results, you’ll need to let them do their thing.
A big part of this is trusting that your manager understands what resonates with your audience. Micromanaging not only eats up time but can also dampen the creativity and spontaneity that make social media exciting. So, think about whether you’re ready to let go (at least a little).
Key Questions:
Am I comfortable with someone else making day-to-day social media decisions?
Do I trust my social media manager to represent my brand without constant oversight?
6. How Will I Measure Success?
This is where a lot of brands get tripped up. Having a successful social media presence means different things to different people, so get clear on what it means to you. Are you hoping to see a certain follower count? A specific engagement rate? Increased sales?
Defining success will help both you and your social media manager work towards the same end goal. It’s also essential for setting realistic expectations. Social media success doesn’t always happen overnight; sometimes, it’s a long game.
Key Questions:
What metrics will I look at to determine if this is working?
Am I expecting quick results, or am I in it for the long haul?
7. Do I Know My Audience (Like, Really Know Them)?
Your social media manager needs to understand your audience’s likes, dislikes, and everything in between to be effective. Knowing your target demographic is one thing, but knowing what makes them double-tap, share, and engage is a whole different ballgame.
Your social media manager can help refine this knowledge, but the more you know upfront, the better. If you don’t have a clear picture of your audience yet, consider this part of your research phase before diving in.
Key Questions:
Can I describe my audience in a sentence or two?
What kind of content do I know they already love?
Need help defining your audience? Our amazing team wrote 65 questions to help you figure it out!
8. Am I Ready to Play the Long Game?
Social media is not a get-rich-quick scheme. Now read that again.
Building a following, creating engagement, and seeing results take time. So, ask yourself if you’re ready to commit for the long haul. A good social media manager can speed things up and optimize your efforts, but even the best in the business can’t promise instant results.
If you’re looking for quick wins, you might be better off investing in a paid ad campaign. But if you’re in it to build a loyal audience and create sustainable growth, a social media manager can be your best ally.
Key Questions:
Am I looking for short-term wins or long-term growth?
Do I understand that social media growth takes time and consistent effort?
A Few Final Thoughts
Hiring a social media manager is an exciting step, but it’s also a big one. Taking the time to ask yourself these questions will help you go into the hiring process with eyes wide open, ready to get the most out of your new hire. Remember, a great social media manager isn’t just someone who posts pictures – they’re a strategist, a community builder, and a brand voice amplifier.
If going through these questions has you thinking, “Okay, maybe I don’t want to tackle this alone,” we totally get it. Social media’s our thing, and we’re here to help you make it work.
Connect with us to get started!
Until next time,
The HM Team
