So... you want to hire a social media manager....

WAIT

Have you considered the costs?

The Globe and Mail published this information based on the costs of a full time social media manager:

Job: Social media manager

Salary: Starts at about $30,000 for entry-level positions, with median salaries of between $55,000 and $70,000. Higher pay depends on the role, the size of the company and how important social media is to the organization.

For the bargain price of $30,000 to $70,000 you can have your very own social media manager! Plus the office space, plus medical benefits, plus perks (like coffee daily), use of a computer and ... well, point noted, it costs a lot (2016 estimate).

REAL COSTS + TIME

As a small business owner these costs may not be readily available to you, not to mention... have you thought about whether you company NEEDS a full time social media manager?

Think about it, its 7.5 hours a day, five days a week... thats a lot of social media for a small business. Do you NEED that much? Do you have the extra office space, laptop, cell phone and allocation for benefits?

Perhaps you don't but you don't have the time to manage it on your own. How much time do you think you need to manage your accounts?

Social media isn't all 9-5 either... will you allocate for overtime? (not in France!)

ALWAYS CHANGING

Not to mention that new rules, algorithms and image sizing occurs all the time. Constant education is required, updating skills.

Just to start off as a Social Media Manager (SMM) these are the recognized training programs:

Education: A university or college degree in marketing, journalism or communication is considered a good background for social media workers. Many social media experts today have also earned certificates on the subject, which are offered at various postsecondary schools across Canada. Some social media sites also offer training in this space, including HootSuite University, an online certification program.

(ps. I earned my certificate at SAIT)

Do you have the resources to allow this person to leave for additional training and education, seminars and online resources? Who will manage your accounts while they are away?

HIRE OUT?

Yes... yes you can! I outlined on my website the benefits of hiring out a social media manager, but you may be impressed by the cost savings as well.

Many social media managers freelance or offer social media management as part of a full service package. Many have training in graphic design, journalism, marketing and/or communications. They have added additional online training as they 'caught the trend' of social media early and learned best practices, when to post, how to posts and how to make the best use of their time.

So perhaps you hire out your social media at 1 hour per day, this could cost you near $1500- 2000+ per month (or more), no desk, no computer, not medical benefits.... and they manage their own training and upgrading.

Thats a significant savings to have your social media accounts handled by a professional, managed throughout the day and giving you that little bit of extra free time!

Julie Boake

Awedity Creative

Contact me

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