If you are considering hiring a social media manager, in-house or outsourced, it helps to know what the role covers and what it does not.
Typical responsibilities
- Strategy: goals, platforms, content pillars.
- Planning: monthly content calendar.
- Content creation: captions, graphics, reels editing, sometimes filming.
- Publishing: scheduling and posting.
- Community management: replying to comments and DMs.
- Reporting: monthly results and insights.
Often separate roles
- Professional photo and video shoots.
- Paid ads management.
- Influencer campaigns.
- Website and SEO.
Clarify what is included before hiring.
What they need from you
- Access to accounts (as a partner or admin, never your password).
- Information on products, prices and offers.
- Photos and videos, or time to shoot them.
- Quick approvals.
- Answers to customer questions they cannot handle.
Set clear goals
Agree on enquiries, reach or engagement targets, not just number of posts.
Tools they use
Planning tools like our content calendar generator and writing aids like our caption generator.
See our social media marketing service.
Want the full picture? This article is part of Social media marketing: the complete guide, our in-depth guide with everything in one place.
