How to Hire a Social Media Manager

When I first started scaling one of my businesses, I wasn’t totally convinced that social media would move the needle. It felt like a distraction. It was just one more thing to manage and one more algorithm to keep up with, when I was already maxed out with other work.

Then I hired someone who knew how to market to writers. Her posts didn’t just show up. They stuck around and made waves.

By creating clever, targeted content (and, yes, memes!), she brought in fresh followers, boosted revenue, and helped me build a long-term audience I could market to again and again. She helped me to realize that social media marketing isn’t just about staying active online, it’s about strategy. And the right strategist makes all the difference.

If you’re ready to hire a social media manager but don’t know where to start, this guide will walk you through exactly what to look for, how to assess fit, and where to post your job to find someone who can actually deliver results.

Let’s dive in.

What Does a Social Media Manager Actually Do?

Before you can hire the right person, you need to understand what the role entails and how it connects to your larger business goals.

A great social media manager doesn’t just post photos or write witty captions. Here’s what the service should cover:

• Building platform-specific strategies (Instagram ≠ LinkedIn ≠ YouTube)

• Understanding audience psychology and content formats

• Tracking metrics like engagement, reach, follower growth, and conversion

• Creating content calendars and managing scheduling tools

• Coordinating with designers, writers, and marketing leads

• Staying ahead of trends and algorithm shifts

Think of them as a hybrid between a strategist and a creative. They translate your brand’s message into content that actually connects and converts.

Step One: Define Your Goals and Platform Priorities

Not every brand needs to be on every platform. Before you post a job, get clear on:

• Where your audience spends time. If you’re a B2B SaaS company, LinkedIn may be your priority. If you’re a creator brand, maybe it’s TikTok or Instagram.

• What success looks like. Do you want to grow followers, increase engagement, or drive conversions through content?

• What kind of content you need. Reels, carousels, blog snippets, memes, threads, YouTube scripts?

If you’re hiring a social media manager, you’re also investing in your larger content marketing strategy. Social isn’t just about visibility, it’s about turning audience attention into results. Here’s a breakdown of how content marketing can work hand-in-hand with your social channels.

Step Two: Write a Clear Job Post That Attracts the Right People

Once your goals are defined, your job post should speak to the type of social media manager you actually want to hire, not just any generalist.

Include:

• Your niche or industry. A social media manager who understands your space will create better content, faster.

• Scope of work. Platforms, weekly deliverables, growth goals, tools (e.g., Canva, Buffer, Hootsuite).

• Tone and voice. Should they be clever? Professional? Educational? Show examples if possible.

• Budget range. Most high-level freelance social media managers will charge between $500–$3,000/month depending on scope and specialization.

Make sure your post reflects the sophistication of the role. This isn’t an intern position, but a core part of your growth strategy. Clarity, context, and competitive pay are the keys to finding the best talent.

Step Three: Evaluate Portfolios, Not Just Followers

Follower counts don’t tell the whole story. When interviewing candidates, here are some frameworks to guide your questions. A smart social media manager will be able to walk you through:

• Content they created vs. content they simply scheduled

• Results they achieved (e.g., increased engagement, conversions, or community growth)

• How they approached different platforms strategically

• Case studies or client testimonials

Look for someone who can explain how their content supported specific business goals, whether that was driving signups, boosting engagement with the right audience, or increasing lifetime value. Viral posts are great, but strategic impact is better.

Why Niche Experience Matters More Than Ever

Social media is no longer a one-size-fits-all skillset. Algorithm shifts are constant. Audience behavior evolves monthly. And each platform rewards a different style of engagement.

Hiring a social media manager who understands your niche — whether that’s fintech, food media, or fantasy authors — means:

• Better content tailored to what your audience actually wants

• Faster onboarding because they already know the industry lingo

• More credibility with your followers (and potential customers)

When I hired someone who understood the writing world, our engagement skyrocketed. She created memes that only writers would laugh at. She wrote captions that felt personal, not generic. That level of fluency isn’t optional. It’s the difference between noise and traction.

Where to Find Qualified Freelance Social Media Managers

Most job boards are crowded with generalists. That’s why I created 📣 Make Marketing Your Job — a curated freelance marketing job board built for founders who want to hire specialists. We make it easy for you to:

📝 Post your job for just $29
⏱️ Get a list of real applicants in 1–2 business days
🎯 Only remote, freelance professionals — no fluff, no spam
💡 Perfect for hiring social media managers, content marketers, SEO pros, and more

Our job board has the reach you need to find the best and most proactive talent out there. Post your job now and find the right person to grow your audience, your revenue, and your brand.

Social Media That Pays Off

Social media success doesn’t happen overnight. But with the right person at the helm, you’ll build a long-term engine for visibility, trust, and conversion. It’s one of the few marketing channels where your best content keeps working long after it’s posted.

Hiring a freelance social media manager is one of the highest-leverage moves you can make, as long as you do it strategically. Start with clarity. Hire for fit. And don’t settle for less than someone who truly gets what makes your brand resonate.