Should You Hire a Social Media Manager or Outsource It? A Plain-English Guide for Business Owners
You know your business should be on social media. The real question is who does it. Here is an honest look at the four options and what each one costs you in money and time.
Option 1: Do it yourself
Cost: your time. Best for: owners who genuinely enjoy it.
Nobody knows your business better than you, so your posts can be the most authentic. The catch is consistency. Most owners post for a few weeks, then real work takes over and the page goes quiet. If you do try it, block a fixed hour each week and keep it simple.
Option 2: Hire someone in-house
Cost: a salary plus benefits and tools. Indeed reports an average base salary of about $64,000 a year for a social media manager in the United States, as of mid-2026, before payroll taxes and benefits. Best for: larger businesses posting every day on several platforms.
An in-house person can also answer comments, cover events and work closely with your team. But one hire rarely does everything well: strategy, writing, video editing and design are different skills. They also still need something to post about, which usually means pulling time from you.
Option 3: A freelancer
Cost: varies widely. Best for: owners who can give clear direction and want flexibility.
A good freelancer can be excellent value. You will usually be the project manager, though: deciding what to post, gathering material, reviewing drafts and keeping things on schedule.
Option 4: A done-for-you service
Cost: a monthly fee. Best for: owners who want steady, professional posting without managing it.
A done-for-you service plans the posts, makes them, and publishes them after you approve. The best ones work from material you already have, like recorded talks, webinars or a brand video, so the posts sound like you rather than a generic agency. At Cord & Co, monthly plans start at u,500 for 8 clips and posts made from one recording, and posting on your channels can be added to any plan.
Four questions that make the choice easier
- How much time can you give each month? If the honest answer is under an hour, rule out doing it yourself.
- Do you already have recorded video? Webinars, interviews, presentations or a brand film make every option faster and cheaper.
- Does someone need to approve posts? Regulated businesses need a reliable review step before anything goes live.
- Which platforms matter to your customers? Many established businesses only need LinkedIn plus one other platform.
Red flags, whoever you hire
- Promises of a specific number of followers, or of going viral.
- No approval step before posts go live.
- They own your accounts or logins. Your business should always own its accounts.
- Long contracts before you have seen any work. A short pilot is a fair ask.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to outsource social media for a small business?
It ranges widely depending on how many posts you need and whether video is included. Cord & Co plans start at $1,500 a month for 8 clips and posts, and posting for you can be added.
Is a part-time social media manager enough?
For many established businesses, yes. What matters most is consistent, good posts and a reliable approval step, not the number of hours someone works.
Who should own my social media accounts?
Your business should always own its accounts and logins. Give outside help access through the platform's own team or admin tools rather than sharing passwords.
How long until social media makes a difference for my business?
Expect a few months of consistent posting before it feels noticeable. The goal for most businesses is steady visibility with customers and referral sources, not overnight results.