Social Media Manager, not Graphic Designer.

I saw a job posting on LinkedIn that said they were looking for a social media manager/graphics designer. I couldn't help but laugh because it's just weird how people think social media managers are magicians. You expect social media managers to achieve unrealistic goals, you don't provide the necessary resources, and you expect maximum growth? Wow.

There are a few things small business owners should keep in mind when hiring a digital marketer. By doing this, they will avoid making common mistakes that could end up costing them time and money.

It's important to understand that one person can't be everything. A good social media manager should have strong skills in graphics design, photography, video editing, and communications, but it's unrealistic to expect someone to excel in all of these areas. Hiring someone who is strong in one or more of these areas can help you measure your company's growth.

When choosing a social media manager, decide which channels you want to be more active in and who fits the same role. You can't experience maximum growth in all social media apps at the same time.?If you're a fashion brand, you might choose to be active on Instagram/Facebook & Tiktok. When hiring, look for someone who creates good content; set achievable goals for them like "you'll do x amount of posts per month."

Set aside funds for sponsored advertisements, ask applicants if they have experience with ads, and require them to show evidence. Instagram and Facebook ads are typically the simplest, but for the best results, I recommend hiring a digital specialist, even if it's a part-time position. Based on the kind of engagement you want, they'd be able to create the appropriate ads.

Engage a graphic designer; brand identification depends on quality, colours, and consistency. While some social media managers are skilled designers, it is recommended to recruit someone whose sole responsibility it is to create visually appealing material. Additionally, it's not required to work full-time, especially if you manage a brand that demands more live photos than postcards.

People need to start thinking of e-commerce and social media as departments that require a full team to function. If you own a small business, be open to providing these for your social media managers rather than dismissing their requests. Even if you can't afford everything, try to be flexible and assist them in finding alternatives. Make it clear that you understand what is required.

Finally, get involved. One thing I've noticed about some small business owners is that they are extremely lazy and never want to put in the effort. You hire a social media manager to post for you, and when this person requests a video or reviews from your friends, you decline because you are too busy or lazy. In my previous article, I discussed how you should market your business on WhatsApp. The truth is that, at the end of the day, it really is your business, and no one can market it as well as you can. You inspire people to believe in your dream by becoming more involved, but not to the point of micro - managing them.