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. 

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!

Why Successful Growth Campaigns NEVER Bring Fake Followers

By Jamie Johnson • March 28, 2025
One of the biggest questions we hear from business owners is how they can grow their social media quickly. Many have been led to believe that social media growth equals success. Unfortunately, that isn't always the case! It’s a common misconception that the bigger your following, the more credibility and sales you will have. Expanding your audience is important BUT the quality of that growth matters far more than the quantity. Anyone can pay for followers, but what matters is choosing your growth campaigns carefully; even better when they're done with the help of an industry expert. With the right strategy, you can develop a meaningful, engaged community rather than chasing empty followers. Here are three rules we recommend following when creating growth campaigns for your social media channels. Rule #1: Focus on Finding a Genuine Audience We know that total follower count is a distracting number, but an engaged, loyal audience is what matters in the long run. Fake followers will only hurt your visibility, and the algorithms will not favor your content. A solid growth campaign should prioritize attracting your target audience—people genuinely interested in your brand who will interact, share, and like your posts. Rule #2: Make Your Growth Campaign Intentional Don’t be fooled by the promise of quick results and a quick following. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Social media platforms make it easy to run campaigns, but there are disparities in effectiveness because rapid growth doesn’t always translate to value. It pays to be patient and strategic when building your audience. A bigger number that lacks any real connection will make finding your true followers harder. Rule #3: Rely on Data Data and analytics are a crucial point of any growth campaign. If you’re investing money for better results, you want to see the ROI. The key is to look past your follower count and focus on engagement rates (likes, comments, shares), external link clicks, and audience retention. These things will lead to long-term success rather than just a bunch of uninvested followers. One more thing to remember is that boosting posts, while valuable and serving a purpose, is NOT a growth campaign. A proper growth campaign is a strategic effort to increase your following, engagement, and overall reach. If this sounds like something your business could benefit from and you’d like to learn more, visit us at officiallysocial.com or email alison@officiallysocial.com anytime! 

How to Increase Followers Organically

By Jamie Johnson • February 28, 2025
One of the biggest questions we hear from clients is how to get more followers. And that’s because most people assume that the more followers you have, the more exposure and reach your content is likely to get. And while there is some truth to that, the number isn’t the only important thing—the quality of your audience also matters! Yes, a strong following is essential for your business. But while paid promotions can give you a temporary boost, growing your audience organically ensures long-term engagement and credibility. Here are six ways to do it effectively: 1. Post Consistently : We can’t say it enough—content is king. If it’s been a while since you’ve shared something, don’t overthink it. People aren’t looking for perfection on social media. They’re looking for a connection. Create valuable, engaging, and visually appealing content that aligns with your brand, and utilize a consistent posting schedule to keep your audience tuning in. 2. Research Trending Hashtags : Hashtags aren’t dead, we promise! In fact, they are a big help in increasing discoverability because they categorize your posts, making them easier to find when users search for related topics. Try incorporating a mix of popular and niche hashtags relevant to your business to maximize your audience. 3. Engage with Your Audience : Social media is meant to be social! There needs to be a give and take, so be sure to reply to comments and messages promptly. You'll also want to like, share, and simply acknowledge others’ content. The more active you are, the more likely people are to follow and interact with you in return. 4. Collaborate with Others : Know another local business that’d be interested in partnering in an event? Or perhaps some influencers might want to work together to increase brand awareness. Don’t be afraid to reach out! Cross-promotions and shoutouts can boost your visibility without the additional cost of paid ads. 5. Seek User-Generated Content : Authentic, user-generated content is trending across platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Ask followers to share pictures, videos, and reviews related to your brand. You can then feature this content to create a sense of community and encourage others to participate. 6. Be Patient: Perhaps the hardest on this list is understanding that solid organic growth takes time. If you stay consistent, track your progress, and refine your strategy as needed, you’ll work toward building a loyal following that sticks around. With such an inundation of social media, people are simply looking to follow accounts they can connect to. By implementing these strategies, you’ll see steady, meaningful follower growth—so stay authentic, be consistent, and remember the value you are providing your audience.