20 Best Social Media Manager
Freelancers
to Hire
in 2023

Social media management is a part of digital marketing that involves creating, copywriting, scheduling, analyzing, and engaging with content posted on social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok. It involves managing a brand's social media accounts to build and maintain an online presence, increase engagement, and cultivate customer relationships.

A Social Media Manager is responsible for managing and overseeing a brand's social media presence on various platforms. Their job description involves planning and executing social media campaigns, creating and curating content, engaging with the audience, analyzing metrics and data, and collaborating with Marketing Managers and other teams to achieve the company's goals. Specifically, a Social Media Manager:

1. Develops and implements social media strategies that align with the brand and company's objectives.
2. Creates and curates a compelling content calendar that engages with the target audience.
3. Collaborates with the content team, graphics team, and other departments to ensure social media copywriting has a unified brand voice.
4. Schedules and publishes posts across various social media platforms, at the best possible time to reach the target audience.
5. Monitors social media trends and conducts competitor analysis to stay ahead of the competition.
6. Responds to comments, messages, and other social media interactions.
7. Manages and analyzes social media metrics to track the performance of social media campaigns and make data-driven decisions.
8. Develops and executes paid social media advertising campaigns to reach a wider audience.
9. Maintains a deep understanding of the latest social media trends, technologies, and algorithms.
10. Identifies and fosters relationships with influencers and other partners who can promote the brand and reach new audiences.

There are several reasons why a company should consider hiring a Social Media Manager:

1. Consistent and relevant content: A Social Media Manager can develop and execute a content strategy that is tailored to the brand's target audience, which helps to ensure that consistent, high-quality, and relevant content is posted.
2. Increased engagement: A Social Media Manager knows how to create and distribute content that drives engagement with the brand's target audience. By monitoring metrics and making data-driven decisions, they can devise strategies that boost engagement levels, such as optimizing paid social budgets or partnering with influencers.
3. Amplify brand awareness: Social Media Managers can collaborate with other departments to amplify brand awareness, increase visibility, and attract new customers by strategically posting on social media.
4. Respond to customer inquiries quickly: A Social Media Manager is responsible for responding to customer inquiries on social media platforms quickly. This helps to build trust among customers and leads to an increased customer satisfaction rate.
5. Analyze the data: A Social Media Manager will monitor and analyze social media data to identify trends and consumer behavior. This data can help to provide useful insights that could be used to improve content calendars and marketing strategies.
6. Stay up-to-date with the latest trends: Social Media Managers are knowledgeable about the latest social media trends and how they can be utilized to boost a brand's online presence. They can implement new strategies, participate in new trends, and recommend updates to your social media accounts.

Overall, hiring a Social Media Manager can significantly benefit a company, as they can help increase customer engagement, brand awareness, and lead to an overall increase in sales and revenue.

Here are some steps to help you hire a Social Media Manager:

1. Determine your goals: Before hiring a Social Media Manager, you should define your social media marketing goals so that you can hire someone who has experience and expertise in achieving those goals. Identify the platforms you want to focus on and the type of content you want to produce.
2. Determine your budget: You should have a clear budget in mind, including the cost of hiring a Social Media Manager. You can determine the salary range for a Social Media Manager in your area by researching on job sites and talking to industry peers.
3. Identify potential candidates: You can identify potential Social Media Managers by conducting a job search on hiring sites such as Contra, LinkedIn or job boards.
4. Evaluate their experience and skills: Look for Social Media Managers who have experience managing social media accounts for other businesses, have a good understanding of social media platforms, and strong written and oral communication skills. Ask for references and examples of their content.
5. Conduct interviews: Conduct in-depth interviews to ensure that the candidate's values, personality, and work style align with your company's culture. Ask behavioral-based interview questions to gain insight into how they have handled social media crises in the past.
6. Test their skills: You can also ask potential candidates to create a sample social media campaign that aligns with your company's goals.
7. Check references: Finally, conduct thorough reference checks before offering the job to the preferred candidate.

Overall, hiring a Social Media Manager who is well-suited for your brand and your budget can significantly improve your social media presence, improve engagement levels, and ultimately lead to increased sales and revenue.

Social Media Managers use various software tools to manage their social media campaigns and analyze data. Here are some common software tools used by Social Media Managers:

1. Social Media Management Platforms: These platforms allow Social Media Managers to schedule and publish content to multiple social media channels at once. Some popular tools include Hootsuite, Sprout Social, Buffer, and Hubspot.
2. Design Tools: Social Media Managers create highly engaging visuals like photos and videos using design tools like Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, and PicMonkey.
3. Analytics tools: These tools help Social Media Managers to track and analyze the performance of their social media campaigns. Some analytics tools include Google Analytics, Sprout Social, and Hootsuite.
4. Video Editing tools: Social Media Managers use video editing software to bring static pictures to life. Some tools like Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro are great options.
5. Monitoring tools: Social Media Managers need to keep an eye on various social media conversations, followers and mentions about brands. Tools like Mention, Brandwatch, and Hootsuite Insights allow Social Media Managers to monitor the conversation around the brand.

Overall, Social Media Managers can choose tools that fit their specific needs and budget depending on the goals they wish to achieve.

Freelance social media managers are paid commission-free on Contra. They may charge per project, per hour, or per milestone. Freelance social media managers get paid for the work they produce for their clients. Clients must pay a minimum of $250 or $25 an hour to post an opportunity on Contra.

The cost to hire a Social Media Manager can vary depending on several factors, such as the level of experience, location, and industry. Here are some factors that determine the cost of hiring a Social Media Manager:

1. Level of experience: A Social Media Manager with more experience usually demands a higher salary than someone who is entry level or has limited experience.
2. Industry: The amount you pay a Social Media Manager will largely depend on the industry they work in. For example, a Social Media Manager working in the entertainment industry could have a higher salary than one working in a non-profit organization.
3. Geographic location: The location of the company or organization can have an impact on the salary of the Social Media Manager. In general, salaries tend to be higher in larger cities and metropolitan areas than in smaller ones.
4. Full-time, part-time, or freelance: The cost will vary depending on whether you hire a Social Media Manager full-time, part-time or as a freelancer. Freelance Social Media Managers are generally cheaper as they are usually paid per project.

On average, the annual salary for a full-time Social Media Manager in the United States ranges from $38,000 to $80,000, but it can go up or down depending on the factors mentioned. Freelance Social Media Managers typically charge on an hourly or project basis ranging from $50 to $150 per hour, depending on experience, skill level, and geographic location.

The salary for Social Media Managers can vary depending on several factors, such as location, level of education, experience, and industry. Here are some data on the average salaries for Social Media Managers:

1. According to PayScale, the average salary for a Social Media Manager in the United States is $50,300 per year, with salaries ranging from $34,000 to $77,000 per year.
2. Glassdoor reports an average salary of $54,000 per year in the United States, with salaries ranging from $32,000 to $89,000 per year.
3. According to LinkedIn, the average salary for a Social Media Manager in the United States is $52,000 per year, with salaries ranging from $31,000 to $85,000 per year.
4. ZipRecruiter reports an average salary of $60,172 per year for Social Media Managers in the United States.

Overall, the salary of a Social Media Manager can depend on various factors such as experience, industry, education level, and geographic location. Nevertheless, Social Media Managers are in high demand and can expect competitive salaries for their work.

Here are some steps to get started with a career as a Social Media Manager:

1. Develop your social media skills: Start by developing your social media skills by using different social media platforms. Learn how to create engaging posts, develop a content strategy, and analyze the data to refine your social media marketing campaigns.
2. Gain experience: Gain experience working for a business or organization that needs someone to manage their social media accounts. This can include internships during a college program, volunteering, or working for an agency that specializes in social media marketing.
3. Build your online presence: Build your online presence by creating a portfolio on Contra, as well as social media profiles that showcase your expertise, knowledge, and skills. You can start with platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.
4. Network: Expand your network by connecting with people in the industry, attending industry conferences, and joining social media marketing groups on social media platforms.
5. Stay up-to-date: Stay up-to-date with the latest trends, technologies, and algorithms in social media marketing by reading industry blogs, attending webinars, and taking online social media marketing courses.
6. Consider certifications: Consider obtaining certifications in social media marketing such as Facebook Blueprint, Hootsuite Social Media Marketing Certification, and Google Digital Marketing Certification, as this can increase your credibility and knowledge in the industry.

Overall, a career as a Social Media Manager requires creativity, excellent communication skills, and an in-depth understanding of social media platforms. By developing your skills, gaining experience, building an online presence, and remaining up-to-date on the latest trends, you can pursue and succeed in this career.

The length of time it takes to become a Social Media Manager can vary depending on various factors such as education, experience, and qualifications. Here are some paths to become a Social Media Manager:

1. Education: Pursuing a degree in marketing, communications, or advertising can be a great starting point for starting a career in Social Media Management. A bachelor's degree in one of these fields typically takes around four years to complete.
2. Experience: Gaining experience working with social media platforms, creating content, developing a content strategy, and analyzing data can all be extremely valuable for pursuing a career in Social Media Management. This experience can be gained through internships, volunteering, or gaining experience as a freelancer.
3. Certifications: Obtaining certifications in social media marketing can be a great way to demonstrate one's expertise and knowledge in the industry. Most certifications require a few weeks to several months of study, depending on the intensity of the program.

Overall, becoming a Social Media Manager is less about the time it takes to develop the necessary skills and qualifications and more about gaining experience and building a portfolio of social media accounts that demonstrate your ability to create compelling content, engage with audiences, and optimize campaigns. Gain experience, stay up-to-date with the latest trends, and focus on building your skills to succeed in the role of Social Media Manager.

Social Media Management can be a great career path for those with a passion for social media, content creation, and an interest in marketing. Here are some reasons why Social Media Management can be an excellent career choice:

1. High demand: With the rise in social media platforms, companies are increasingly recognizing the need for dedicated Social Media Managers to manage their social media accounts.
2. Flexibility: Social Media Managers can often work remotely and have flexibility in their schedules, which can be attractive for those seeking work-life balance.
3. Creativity: Social Media Management often requires a high level of creativity in developing content and strategies to engage with target audiences.
4. Career growth: Social Media Management can be a starting point for a career in marketing as it offers transferable skills in branding, project management, and data analysis.
5. Job security: With the continued growth of social media platforms, there is a growing need for Social Media Managers, making it a stable career option.

Overall, Social Media Management can be a fulfilling and exciting career path for those passionate about social media and marketing. With the continued growth of social media platforms and the need for brands to connect with their target audience, it offers great prospects for career growth and job security.