Hiring a Social Media Manager? Questions to Ask

Apr 16

Social media is more than just posting pretty pictures—it’s a direct extension of your brand identity and voice. The right social media manager will not only keep your accounts active but ensure every post reinforces who you are and what you stand for. But how do you know you’re hiring the right person or agency for the job? Here’s your checklist of must-ask questions before making a decision.

1. Do They Understand and Maintain Brand Identity and Voice?

One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is hiring a social media manager who creates generic, off-brand content. Consistency in brand voice, messaging, and visuals is crucial. Ask:

How do you ensure our brand identity stays consistent across all platforms?
Can you provide examples of accounts you’ve managed where you’ve successfully maintained brand voice?
How do you handle adapting to an already established brand?

A great social media manager doesn’t just post—they embody your brand’s personality, ensuring every caption, image, and response aligns with your identity.

2. Can They Create Custom Graphics and Photography, or Do They Rely on Stock and AI Tools?

Anyone can pull images from Canva or stock websites, but a true social media expert can create unique, high-quality content. If originality matters to you, ask:

Do you create custom graphics and visuals, or do you primarily use templates and stock images?
Can you shoot original photography or collaborate with a photographer?
What tools do you use for content creation, and how do you ensure originality?

A social media manager who relies solely on templates and AI-generated content may not be able to create a truly distinctive presence for your brand.

3. What’s Their Strategy for Engagement and Growth?

Posting is only half the battle—true social media success comes from engagement and community-building. Be sure to ask:

How do you approach audience engagement and community management?
What’s your strategy for growing our following organically?
How do you measure and track success?

A strong social media presence isn’t just about numbers; it’s about fostering meaningful connections that translate into business growth.

4. Do They Adhere to a Specific Style, or Can They Adapt to Yours?

Some social media managers have a distinct aesthetic and tone that they apply to every client. That might not work if your brand already has a well-defined identity. Ask:

Do you customize your approach for each brand, or do you have a signature style?
Can you adapt to different brand aesthetics and voices?
How do you ensure your content aligns with our brand’s look and feel?

If maintaining brand integrity is a priority, you need a social media manager who can work within your established guidelines rather than applying a one-size-fits-all method.

5. Do They Have the Capacity to Take on Your Account?

A social media manager juggling too many clients may not have the time to give your brand the attention it deserves. Ask:

How many accounts do you currently manage?
Do you have the bandwidth to take on our brand and meet our content needs?
What’s your typical turnaround time for content creation and approvals?

You want a partner who can consistently deliver without stretching themselves too thin.

6. Do They Meet Their Deadlines? Can Clients Speak to That?

Consistency is key on social media. If a manager can’t meet deadlines, your posting schedule will suffer. Ask:

Can you share examples of projects completed on time?
What’s your track record for meeting content deadlines?
Do you have clients who can vouch for your reliability?

A social media manager should have testimonials or case studies demonstrating their ability to stay on schedule.

7. What’s Their Reporting and Communication Process?

You should never be in the dark about your social media performance. A great social media manager provides regular updates and insights. Be sure to ask:

How often do you provide performance reports?
What metrics do you track to measure success?
How do you communicate progress and strategy adjustments?

Transparency is crucial—if they can’t explain their results, they may not be delivering real value.

8. Do They Understand Paid Social and Organic Strategies?

While organic content is important, a strong social media manager should also have expertise in paid social strategies. Ask:

Do you have experience running paid ad campaigns on social media?
How do you balance organic and paid strategies for maximum impact?
Can you optimize ad spend to get the best ROI?

A well-rounded social media manager understands how to leverage both organic reach and paid promotions to maximize visibility.

Ready to Find the Right Social Media Manager?

A great social media manager isn’t just a content creator; they’re a brand steward, strategist, and community builder. At Treebird Branding, we take a custom approach to social media management, ensuring every post reflects your brand’s identity and resonates with your audience.

Interested in working with us? Let’s Chat.

Jaci Lund

Jaci Lund partner, creative director, designer Jaci’s quick wit and native intelligence comes across as soon as you meet her—and carries over to her design, where she fuses fun and sophistication in just the right doses. With a dual focus on creating original branding for new concepts and revitalizing the look and feel of even the most-established brands, Jaci approaches each project with a fresh and thoughtful perspective. While she recognizes the relevance of current trends, she’s hyper-conscious of the fine line that separates “trend” from “fad,” and tends toward more timeless and classic looks for her clients. Before founding Treebird, Jaci was instrumental in growing the design department at Atlanta’s The Reynolds Group, Inc. Through a five-year tenure that saw her quickly ascend to senior designer and then become the company’s first creative director, Jaci worked on design and branding projects with visionaries, entrepreneurs, and business leaders whom she admires greatly and whose own passion elevates her sense of what’s possible through new design, branding, and communication. Jaci has won nine ADDY Awards (and counting) for her design and branding work and has twice been featured in the national design blog “Art of the Menu.” She holds a B.A. in communications from Michigan State University and completed the graphic design program at The Creative Circus, where she also teaches a quarterly course called “Introduction to Creative Thinking.” To see Jaci's previous work please visit jacilund.com.

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