5 Things to Consider When Hiring a Social Media Manager

As a social media manager, I've had the opportunity to work with some incredible people. Part of the reason I LOVE this role so much is because of the people I get to collaborate with. That being said, not everyone I have been hired to work with is my favorite or my definition of a "blast". My job is to nurture your presence online and on social media. I require a few things from my clients, and if you are looking for help, let's establish some guidelines to help prepare you for your quote.

1. What Are Your Social Media Goals?

Before you ask for help, you should know where you need support. Do you have the content but no time to post? Do you need content creation, community engagement, profile optimization, or ALL OF THE ABOVE?

I have had clients come to me, throw their passwords and me, and say less than 5 words. That isn't helpful. Think about where you struggle the most on social media. Articulate your experience during your consult, so that your manager can identify the best way to take the weight on. Every account requires a tailored experience. One size does not fit all on social media. Our communities all operate and interact differently.

If you need to grow your following, let's talk about your past. Being honest with me, is only going to benefit YOU. Bot followers? Let's sift through them and weed out the ghosted accounts.

Need UGC, let's find you someone that identifies with your brand and will represent the brand in the best light.

Identify your pain points, and let us handle the rest.

2. Do You Need Short-Term Assistance Or Long-Term Management?

Do NOT string your manager along or entice them with a long-term opportunity if you have no intention of fulfilling that opportunity. Clearly state what you need from your social media manager. Short-term clients are looking for significant results and often work with a strict schedule. Operating a paid campaign for the upcoming holiday season is a "must" for a lot of commerce brands. You may ONLY need help with this "one little thing". That's okay, SMM schedules are always changing, therefore there are instances when a short-term project is perfect. *Disclaimer, please also disclose if you are hiring more than one manager or interviewing multiple SMMs,*

Long-Term Clients are amazing. They are my bread and butter, and I definitely enjoy getting to know a brand. Not surprisingly, the longer you work with someone the more comfortable they get with the brand, the language, the audience, and what works for your platform. On-going management is preferred. Drops in activity can really mess with the performance of posts.

3. Who Inspires You In Your Industry?

Have a clear idea of what you want your brand to be. I send out a form that helps some business owners visualize what they want their brand voice to sound like. If you need a brand kit with fonts and colors this is essential in creating your content. I also love to see who you are following that you value or admire in your industry. Maybe they aren't in your industry but you feel like their strategy kills. Let's take a look. This includes any accounts that stick out in a negative way. Every client is different, and it's very important I know what my client wants to see and what they don't.

4. Where Should You Focus Your Presence?

So many of my clients want to be EVERYWHERE! I love their energy, however, it is so much smarter to focus on 1-3 platforms. Even if it's only to start in the first three months. Analyze where your content is most needed, or better yet. Let me do it!

Researching where your audience is hanging out is your best bet. Spend some time on the platform and get to know its features and culture. It's okay if your audience isn't on TikTok, not everyone needs to be on TikTok. 😆Once you discover where your audience is, and understand their problems, we learn what to post and where!

5. Do You Have Content To Share?

Do you have a product? Do you have a blog? Share these resources with your social media manager so that they understand your brand's purpose. It also fuels a strategy for repurposing existing content for new eyes. Do you have a gallery of images? Get all your images into one place and make it a sharable file. Your social media manager should be able to access it without bothering you. Some clients have graphic designers on their team. Make sure you create that connection so that a) your designs look cohesive and b) there's no overlap in roles.

A social media manager really can make a difference in your business. We are definitely not just "on social media all day" We are tracking trends, tracking trending audio, and hashtags, analyzing copy hooks, and engaging with your audience. We work hard to find your peak hours, optimize your bio, and grow your account, but there are some baseline needs. To do the job correctly let's identify these 5 things before we get started.

If you are interested in any of the services or work mentioned in this blog. Please, send a message or leave a comment. Follow @akermarketing on Instagram and Facebook for more social media fun, tips and tricks.