Social Media Manager vs. Social Media Strategist: Who Should You Hire?

When it comes to growing your brand online, hiring the right social media expert can make all the difference. But should you bring in a Social Media Manager or a Social Media Strategist? The key difference lies in execution vs. strategy.

A Social Media Manager is ideal if you already have a working strategy in place. They can execute content plans, edit Canva templates, and keep your social presence consistent. But if your goal is long-term brand growth, hiring a manager alone may not be sustainable. A Social Media Strategist, on the other hand, creates the strategy—developing a custom roadmap, analyzing performance, and ensuring your content aligns with your business goals. They make sure your audience sees your brand enough times to convert and that your social media efforts aren’t just active but effective.

Before hiring either role, it’s essential to have a clear system in place to ensure smooth collaboration. Without structure, tasks can become misaligned, leading to inefficiencies and miscommunication. A well-defined system—outlining workflows, approval processes, and performance tracking—allows for seamless collaboration between strategists, managers, and the brand itself. This ensures that every effort, from planning to execution, aligns with your marketing goals and delivers timely results.

Ultimately, deciding who to hire depends on where your brand stands in its social media journey. If you need direction, growth, and a clear strategy, start with a strategist. If you already have a plan but need someone to execute it consistently, a manager is your best bet. Investing in the right role at the right time will ensure that your social media efforts are both effective and sustainable.