What Does a Social Media Manager Do?

If you hired me to run your social media, here's what your month would look like: two emails. That's it! (Okay, and maybe a content session, but we'll get there.)

From my side, it looks a little different. There's a LOT going on behind the scenes so that your side can stay that simple, so let's pull back the curtain on what a social media manager actually does all month.

My clients have it pretty chill.

Near the end of each month, you'll get an email from me with all of next month's content: captions, graphics, Reels, everything. You look it over, reply "approved" (or send me your edits), and then it's all scheduled and ready to go.

At the beginning of the month, you'll get a second email with your analytics report and any strategy changes. That might sound like, Reels are doing really well for you and your click-through rates are up, so we're going to make more of those instead of carousels.

For photos and videos, you can send me what you've got, book a content session with me, or I can work with a videographer. And once everything goes live, you can hop on and chat with people in the comments if you want to (you just don't have to).

My side of the month:

Before I make a single post, I go back to your brand foundation (AKA your messaging, your positioning, who you are, what you do, and what you want people to do next). Everything I create comes out of that, which is why it sounds like you instead of EVERY other business on the internet.

Then I plan the mix. Most of my clients are on two or three platforms, and I'm making three kinds of content: discovery posts that attract new people, nurture posts that build trust with the people already following you, and conversion posts that turn followers into customers. Mary's Herb Garden, for example, gets eight posts a month, built around the fact that she sells products (not services), and every single one has a job.

I also research what's trending and sometimes jump on a trend when it actually fits your brand. But a feed that's ALL trends? I think that's silly.

Goodness gracious, the writing.

Sitting down to write what goes on a carousel or in a Reel, in your voice and with your messaging, takes forever (in the best way, but still).

Then there's the analyzing. Every month, I'm looking at what worked, what didn't, and why. The first two or three months especially are a lot of experimenting, because no amount of planning beats seeing what your actual audience responds to. That's how we found the right mix for Mary's Herb Garden, and it's how we figure it out for everyone.

What a social media manager doesn't do (and what I'll do anyway).

I answer your comments and DMs, but once someone fills out your inquiry form or calls you, that sale is in your hands. A social media manager's job is to bring the right people to your door and closing the deal is your part (and, let's be real, you're WAY better at it than I would be).

That also means I can't see your bank account. The results I share in my case studies are the ones I can see, like clicks, follows, and inquiries, plus the ones my clients tell me about. Anyone who promises you a specific number of sales (or followers) is guessing.

Technically, a social media manager isn't your graphic designer for everything else, either. But, full disclosure, I've made sermon bumper videos for churches, plus brochures and business cards for people who asked. I quote those separately, and I know it's not the "right" way to scale a business. It's just a way I get to be kind and help people, and I'm totally okay with that.

So, is it time to hand it off?

If your current strategy is "post when I remember," and you've got 47 half-finished Canva drafts sitting in your account, it might be. (Still on the fence? Here's how to tell if doing it yourself is really saving you money, and here's what social media management actually costs.)

My Social Media Management starts at $600 a month for 12 posts, with the strategy included. If two emails a month sounds a whole lot better than writing captions at 9:47 pm, let's talk.

Start your inquiry here →