Why hire a social media manager?
Trying to keep up with ever-changing social media trends and algorithms can be daunting, especially as a business owner who already has a myriad of tasks on their plate. Cue the social media manager, your holy grail in all things digital. In this blog post, we'll uncover some of the key reasons why you should consider hiring a social media manager to curate your unique online presence, so you can focus on your craft!
1. Hiring an external social media manager is more cost-effective than hiring an employee.
The salary for an internal social media employee averages around $51k/year according to PayScale.com, plus benefits and vacation time. With a freelance SMM, you don't have to worry about this big of a bill, as investment starts around $1500-2000 per month.
2. Social media managers are masters of the online world.
Your personal SMM is on top of the constantly changing algorithm, features, and techniques of various social media platforms. They know how to create both organic and paid campaigns, and are always learning new social media skills! They react quickly to shifts in the online atmosphere and will ensure your business is putting its best foot forward on your platform of choice.
3. Reallocate your time and focus back to the heart of your company.
By not having to worry about posting on social media and creating content, you save precious time that can be used to improve your product or service and generate more revenue. A social media manager will learn and develop your brand voice so that each post is seamless and sounds like you. Your new helper can also take photos and videos for your social content using the latest editing techniques. With all this time back in your hands, you can get back to what you are truly passionate about!
4. We take the weight of comparison off of your shoulders.
It's all too easy to get caught up in how many followers, likes, and comments you have. The negative thoughts that come with scrolling through a feed and seeing the successes of others often leave business owners feeling discouraged. Many people find themselves happier psychologically once they hand the reigns to a social media expert. We'll take it from here!
5. You'll welcome a fresh perspective to the team.
Similarly to how we once had our parents double-check our essays to be a "second set of eyes", a social media manager brings a valuable outside perspective to the team and can view your marketing efforts more objectively. A social media manager may also have past experience with similar clients, which can help with brainstorming posts and overcoming roadblocks. In your initial meeting, you'll brainstorm and strategize as a team. From here, the SMM takes ever and handles everything for you!
6. Aids in client engagement and customer relationship management.
A social media manager will respond to comments and DMs, engage with other accounts, and help foster relationships with your ideal audience. They will work with other teams like customer support and PR to ensure your brand looks professional and handle any issues that may arise. While this is another huge time saver for the business owner, it is also a necessary part of growing a following on your brand's social media pages.
In all things social media, consistency is key! Social media managers have the time, skills, and ability to show up regularly on social media on your brand's behalf. Social media is an incredible tool for growing any business, but this potential is only fully realized with time, attention, and consistency.
Hiring a social media manager is the first step in realizing this potential, so it's important to have a consultation with your potential SMM to ask a few questions about their work.
1. What is their process for developing their brand voice?
They might have a questionnaire or request samples of past advertising material. Regardless of their operating procedure, it's essential to have a clear understanding of how they intend to get to know your brand.
2. How do they get behind the scenes footage?
If they are not local to you, you'll likely have a shared folder or album so you can share BTS footage and videos with the SMM, who will then edit and transform into social media posts. If they are local to you, the SMM can come on-site to capture material.
3. What is the monthly process as far as looking at analytics?
Make sure that they will review your account performance each month and keep you up to date on what is and what is not working.