Do You Need A Professional Social Media Manager?

While it would be advantageous for us to answer this question with a resounding “YES!” we realize that outsourcing any task for your business comes with pros and cons. Social media can be very overwhelming if you’re not familiar with the nuances of each platform. There are so many elements to consider, leading many to throw their hands up and not post at all.

Things like tone of voice, brand awareness, and office climate can be problematic to trust with an outsider. How can someone who doesn’t work for us get it right? Believe it or not, a good social media manager can!

Here are some questions to ask yourself when deciding whether or not to hire a professional social media manager:

·   Is it in my budget? Business owners tend to think that social media managers are astronomically expensive, and some of them are! But, not all. An agency geared towards small businesses will offer several different packages that are well within a modest budget. 

·   Are they open to feedback? An effective social media manager is speaking on your behalf in a voice that sounds exactly like you. It’s normal for it to take a few months to establish content and tone of voice. But, how will your manager know if they’re hitting the mark? They need to encourage feedback and be happy to make adjustments.

·   How involved do I need to be? Some business owners want to be very hands-on in supplying fresh content, and others are only heard from a few times a year. What does feasible involvement mean to you? Be sure to find a manager that can work within the parameters you’re willing to provide.

·   What is my competition doing? Check out the social media pages of your competitors. Are they posting daily with significant engagement, and you’re scratching your head wondering how they do it? If that’s the case, you may as well be handing clients to your competition. Hiring a professional will get you back in the game.

·   Are they familiar with my industry? Everyone has their area of specialty, and this certainly applies to social media managers. Think of your first consultation with a social media manager as a job interview. What experience do they have? Do they have other clients in your industry? Make sure their finger is on the pulse of your business.

·   Will I actually post on my own? If you’ve determined that a professional social media manager will do a much better job than you, but you’re still hesitant, it’s time for a reality check. Ask yourself the most important question. Even if you think you can figure it out on your own, will you actually do it? Are you honestly going to put the time in to find interesting content and post every single day AND engage with followers?

For most business owners, it’s that last bullet point that is the decision-maker. We often create lofty ambitions, but real-life gets in the way. The truth is, most business owners don’t have enough time to dedicate to social media. They’re busy running businesses! And if it’s not in your budget to hire an in-house marketing professional, a social media manager might be just the ticket. 

Get the Most Out of Your Social Media Investment

By Jamie Johnson • June 30, 2025
As content creators, we live and breathe social media. However, we also recognize that this is not for everyone, and we often get asked by business owners if they truly “need” an online presence. In short, YES! Regardless of your industry, social media is a MUST. There is no wiggle room; you need to be posting on at least one (or two or three) social channels regularly. Need a little convincing? We get it! Especially for those not comfortable with sharing personal details online, jumping on the bandwagon can be a scary proposition. But we promise there is so much more good than bad it will do for your business and brand. And working with an experienced social media manager takes all the guesswork (and stress) out of the equation. And since social media is an investment, we want our clients to feel 100% confident in their decision. Here are four ways to ensure maximized ROI in online marketing for your business. · Know your audience. Determine who you’re looking to reach and what you hope to gain. You’ll also want to have an understanding of things they care about and their interests offline, too. All of this helps create a well-rounded depiction of your ideal client. Once you’ve narrowed your focus, you’ll be able to tailor content to that niche, allowing you optimal reach and engagement. · Set clear goals. To get the most out of your investment, you’ll need to have a clear vision of what you want to accomplish. While not every post needs to be perfectly aligned with that purpose, the overall story you’re telling needs to reflect your business goals, both short and long-term. Most importantly, be flexible in your approach and willing to make changes as needed. A solid organic social media strategy is the most powerful online tool you can have! · Create quality content. Before people do business with you, they need to like you and see value in what you offer. Accomplish this through strategic storytelling and captivating visuals that create a buzz. Staying fresh and relevant isn’t as easy as people think; it requires planning and diligence. We also recommend following similar industry accounts for inspiration, and don’t be afraid to take risks! · Track your results. Social media is a numbers game. While you don't need to get hung up on every like, save, or share, it’s smart to examine monthly analytics for your accounts. Pay close attention to metrics like engagement, traffic, and leads to understand what’s working—and what isn’t. When you figure out what followers respond to most, you can develop specifically tailored content. Some brands thrive on videos and reels, while others see more success with carousels and stories, but you won't know unless you look at the data. Social media is constantly evolving, which is why we work closely with clients to develop the most effective strategies that provide the greatest return on investment. We’ll stay flexible in our approach and refine content based on results. Questions about how we can help? Email Alison@OfficiallySocial.com anytime.

How to Humanize Your Brand on Social Media

By Jamie Johnson • May 30, 2025
Marketing your business on social media can seem overwhelming. From trending reels to clever taglines, there is always something new to add to your strategy. But here’s the thing. If people don’t connect with your messaging on a human level, you’re missing a huge opportunity to build trust and long-term relationships. Brands that show personality, empathy, and authenticity stand out. Humanizing your brand on social media isn’t just nice to have; brands that show personality, empathy, and authenticity stand out among competitors. A dedicated consumer will bring more repeat business and referrals than a constant influx of new customers. Here are five ways to ensure you’re building a human connection in a virtual world. 1. Know Your Audience - When you know who your audience is and what appeals to them, it’s much easier to create content that will resonate. And this relevant content drives higher engagement, shares, and saves.Just like you’d chat with customers face-to-face, online relationships are no different. Choose targeted messaging to gain new clientele, but don’t forget the value of existing customers. 2. Get Personal - Social media can sometimes feel, well, unsocial. An inauthentic presence is hard to hide, so use your platforms to tell the story of who you are, what you value, and why you’re different than competitors. Have a team working alongside you? Introduce them! Share behind-the-scenes moments, even when they aren’t always pretty. Celebrate personal and professional milestones. These stories are what build connections and attract ideal clients. 3. Prioritize Engagement - If people take the time to leave a comment, try replying as soon as possible. If checking messages and emails regularly isn’t feasible, delegate this task to another employee who can handle it for you. Avoid generic replies. Instead, tailor your response to include their name when possible. Even a simple “thank you” goes a long way. 4. Welcome Feedback and Suggestions - Listening to your audience is crucial to building brand loyalty. When people feel heard, they feel valued. Try asking things like: · “What do you want to see more of?” · “What’s something you wish we did better?” · “What are you loving?” We know it’s scary putting yourself out there for criticism, but the truth is there are also lots of satisfied customers eager to sing your praises, too. 5. Share Your Purpose - People prefer supporting brands that stand for something. Show the causes you care about and ways you use your business to make a positive impact. This allows followers to feel like they’re part of something bigger, deepening their loyalty to you and your business. A strong mission helps set you apart and gives people a reason to choose you over competitors. Final Thoughts Too often, businesses make the mistake of talking “at” their customers rather than creating shared conversations. But this misses the mark because no one wants to be sold to. They want brands that understand their needs and speak to their interests. Remember, social media isn’t a one-way street. Brands that succeed online are the ones truly listening. 

The “Sweet Spot” of Social Media Scheduling

By Alison Lukin • April 29, 2025
The “Sweet Spot” of Social Media Scheduling If you wander down a rabbit hole of wondering how much you should be posting and when, you’re not alone. It seems like every day someone is giving new advice, making navigating the algorithms of each social media channel feel like a full-time job. And who has time for that? (except for us, of course!) Contrary to what some might say, posting is more an art than a science. If you post too infrequently, you’ll be forgotten. But post too much, and you may feel like you’re annoying your audience. The struggle is real. So, how do you find that perfect balance of keeping your audience engaged without overwhelming them? Here’s how to find the “sweet spot” and tailor your content creation to it. Create a schedule (and stick to it): Social media algorithms are designed to favor consistency. When you post sporadically, your content has a higher chance of getting buried. It’s important to gauge analytics to see when your audience is most active, but the most important factor is regular weekly (or daily) posting. When you’re connected with your audience at the right times, it helps keep messaging clear and impactful. Instead of scrambling for content at the last minute, you’ll deliver purposeful, creative messaging. Maintain Consistency: There’s an unspoken cadence of trust between businesses and their followers on social media. When people become accustomed to your content schedule, they’re more likely to engage in what you share. Try implementing frequent themes such as “Testimonials” or “Mid-Week Check-Ins” to create anticipation and loyalty. Bulk Create Content: Coming up with new things to post daily leads to burnout. Instead, bulk create a group of posts at a time and either save them or use a tool like Buffer or Hootsuite to schedule them in advance and help keep you on track. Social media is a marathon, not a sprint; planning in advance and having a bank of ideas to pull from allows you to maintain a steady rhythm when life gets hectic. Share More Stories: The easiest way to get the greatest return on your time is sharing to stories as frequently as possible. This can be done in real time or by using a content calendar. The algorithms, particularly Instagram, favors accounts that utilize stories and reels; it’s a must for more reach and engagement. Try utilizing extra features like taking a poll or adding music. It’s ok to experiment and get creative! Unfortunately, there’s no manual for finding your exact sweet spot. But if you understand your audience, deliver consistent content and value, and accept feedback from followers, you’ll start seeing improved results for your effort. isn’t about following a rigid formula. Start with a plan, watch your analytics, and be willing to adjust as you grow. As always, we’re here to answer questions or help manage your social channels. Email alison@officiallysocial.com anytime!