How to Hire a Great Social Media Manager

3 minute read

Upland Admin

"Spread the Word" wooden block letterpress for The Content Marketeer If you’ve already developed a social media plan, or have hired a social media strategist to do it for you, it’s time to execute.

Which means it’s time to hire a social media manager.

What they do

A social media manager is responsible for overseeing your day-to-day social media efforts. This often includes posting content (according to the guidelines you and/or your strategist have laid out), monitoring what others are saying to you or about you online, and responding or creating conversations around your brand.

What to look for

Depending on your social media strategy, your social media manager needs will vary. But great social media managers do have a few things in common, whatever their experience or expertise:

  • Strong writing and editing skills. This person’s words will become a key part of your company’s client-facing communications. You’ll want someone with strong communication skills.
  • A customer-service, sales, or marketing background. Social media is a conversation with your customers. The person handling these conversations should have a strong understanding of customer service, sales, and marketing. And if that’s their education and background, all the better.
  • Sharp problem-solving skills. Social media is fast-paced. You’ll need someone who can think on his or her feet—handling sticky customer service issues quickly, efficiently, and with compassion and understanding.
  • Above-average listening skills. Part of any good social media plan is listening. Listening to what’s tweeted, written, posted, or re-posted about your company. Plus, you’ll need someone who is easy to train and can hit the ground running. Good listeners will make this process easier.

Where to look

Where can you find these savvy social media mavens? Here are a few ideas:

  • LinkedIn and Twitter: What better place to look for a social media manager than on social networking sites? LinkedIn is the site devoted to business, so I’d start there. In the same vein, most social media managers should already be on Twitter. Post your job with hashtags like #socialmedia and #jobs.
  • Mashable: Thousands of job listings in social media alone, with postings from major brands to agencies and small businesses.
  • Mediabistro: Here you’ll find media experts of all shapes and sizes.

What to ask

Once you’ve located a few good candidates, it’s time for interviews. Here are a couple questions that can tell you a lot about your candidates:

  • What’s your philosophy on solving client or prospect problems? How would you go about making something right?
  • What kind of strategies have you worked with in the past? What channels? What messaging requirements?

And don’t forget to apprise your interviewees’ listening skills and ask questions that are specific to your industry or project needs.

Have a great social media manager on your team? What hiring tips can you share with others looking for one of their own? Leave a comment below!

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