5 key things you need before hiring a social media manager if you want maximum impact
If you’re thinking about hiring a social media manager, congratulations! This can often be a huge milestone in business your business and is a real sign that you're experiencing growth and you're ready to take things to the next level.
But before you jump in, there are a few key things you should get clear on first to get the most out of this working relationship and to see bigger, better results from your marketing efforts.
It’s about so much more than finding someone to simply put out posts – it’s about aligning your business goals and finding a social media manager you can confidently and comfortably collaborate with.
I've supported many businesses in my years running my social media agency, and these are the five essential things you need to have in place before taking the leap...
1. To have clarity and a clear plan for your business
To represent your business effectively, your social media manager will need to understand it inside and out - so you best also have that understanding.
You need to know your brand, your business plan, your services & offerings, your ideal client and the unique value you bring to the table before working with a marketer.
We're here to bring all that to life and translate it into clear and effective content; we can't do the business strategy for you.
2. You have a balanced, multi-channel approach to marketing
We all know social media is a powerful tool, but it works best as part of a broader strategy. If you’re relying solely on social media, you’re missing out on the impact and results of a multi-channel strategy.
Social media should be one piece of your marketing story and it's always worth considering the benefits of blogging, newsletters, SEO, in-person events, networking, ads and more.
3. Clear expectations on how a social media manager can help you
A social media manager is there to amplify your key message and help you to boost visibility, engagement, and community building. We're not responsible for direct sales (that's what your sales team are for!), which requires an entire different strategy.
4. Communicate and collaborate
We've found that the most successful partnerships between clients and social media managers are built on open, genuine communication, rather than a hands-off approach.
Share your insights and business expertise, get involved with content creation shoot days, and share your honest feedback and ideas! This helps your marketing feel authentic, relatable and unique.
5. Patience is key
Results on social media don’t happen overnight. Building trust, credibility, and engagement takes time and a focus on quality over vanity metrics like follower counts. Be prepared for a steady, committed approach rather than a quick fix, and know that every post, story, and interaction contributes to the bigger picture of a loyal and engaged community.
With this checklist in place, you’ll build a strong, productive partnership with your social media manager—because effective teamwork leads to great results.
Ready to get support with your social media marketing?
Ticked off all of these 5 things and looking to get social media support from an expert? Get in touch to see how Social ETC can support you. We work with established, time-pressed businesses looking to grow an engaged online community that builds real connections and drives sales.
We offer a range of services—including full management, power hours, strategy sessions, training, and consultancy.