How to Hire a Social Media Manager: What to Look For
A practical guide to hiring a social media manager: define the job, review real accounts they ran, set a test task and avoid the common mistakes.
By the Zenstack team · · 2 min read
Almost everyone uses social media, so almost everyone applies for social media jobs. The challenge is separating people who post for fun from people who can run channels for a business.
Step 1: Define the job
Write down what you want done each week:
- How many posts, on which platforms?
- Who writes captions and edits video?
- Who replies to comments and messages, and how fast?
- Who decides what to post?
If you need someone to plan the content as well as publish it, check whether you need a strategist too. See social media manager vs strategist.
Step 2: Know the skills that matter
- Writing. Captions, replies and hooks are all writing.
- Short-form video editing. Most platforms now favour video.
- Simple design. On-brand graphics in a tool like Canva.
- Community sense. Friendly, quick, on-brand replies.
- Consistency. Posting on schedule, every week.
- Reading the numbers. Knowing what worked and doing more of it.
Step 3: Review real work
Ask for links to accounts they managed, and the dates. Then look for:
- Regular posting during that period
- Quality and variety of content
- How comments were answered
- Whether the account grew or stayed active
A personal account with many followers is not proof they can manage a brand.
Step 4: Set a test task
Give shortlisted candidates the same paid task:
- Plan one week of posts for your brand, with captions
- Edit one short video from raw footage you supply
- Write replies to three sample comments, including a complaint
This shows taste, speed and tone in a way an interview cannot.
Step 5: Ask the right questions
- "Which post performed best for you, and why?"
- "How do you plan a week of content?"
- "What do you do when a post gets negative comments?"
- "How do you keep up with what works on each platform?"
Specific answers with examples are a good sign.
Red flags
- Promises of follower numbers
- Talk about buying followers or engagement groups
- No examples of business accounts
- Slow or careless replies to your own messages during the process
Freelancer, agency or full-time
| Freelancer | Agency | Full-time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Posts and replies daily | Sometimes | Per package | Yes |
| Knows your brand deeply | Limited | Medium | Yes |
| Reply speed | Varies | Slow to medium | Fast, in your hours |
| Cost | Per hour or project | Monthly retainer | Fixed monthly |
If replying to customers quickly matters, full-time wins.
Set them up to succeed
Share brand guidelines, examples you like, and access through each platform's official team features rather than shared passwords. Agree on a simple weekly report. Our 30-day onboarding checklist helps.
Hiring through Zenstack
A full-time remote social media manager works your exact hours with rates from $12 an hour. Every candidate is already vetted and sends a 2-minute video introduction. Running paid ads too? Pair them with a media buyer.
Frequently asked questions
What should a social media manager do every day?
Publish scheduled posts, reply to comments and messages, engage with other accounts, edit upcoming content and check how recent posts performed.
Should a social media manager also run paid ads?
Boosting posts is fine. Full paid campaigns are a separate skill, usually handled by a media buyer.
How do I measure a social media manager?
Start with consistency and response time, then track engagement and follower growth. Tie it to business results, such as enquiries, where you can.