How much should I pay my social media freelancer?

[Rocca89]

I was wondering if someone could please comment on what I can expect to pay a freelance social media manager. I run a small tour operator business and need someone to assist with Instagram and Facebook posting every month, about 3 times a week. What are the basic things that one should be expecting when bringing someone on to help with social media and how much should I pay? The intended position is just part-time.

Thanks for any advice in advance.

[nelsonscomedy]

I was wondering if someone could please comment on what I can expect to pay a freelance social media manager. I run a small tour operator business and need someone to assist with Instagram and Facebook posting every month, about 3 times a week. What are the basic things that one should be expecting when bringing someone on to help with social media and how much should I pay? The intended position is just part-time.

Thanks for any advice in advance.

Hi Rocca,

As it's a small company and part time, you're technically looking for someone that can work remotely and handle your social media effectively. The two main fields of focus for you would be:

- Post 3 times each week, consistently
- Handle any messages and comments

But the real work is when you have to see what works and what doesn't on which channel. So a social media freelancer will also be reporting to you that, for example:

- a post about a wine farm on Instagram worked great, while an inspirational quote featuring a lion didn't
- A Facebook video about a safari tour got many comments, while a picture of accommodation in Hermanus didn't

Then there's how you speak to your customers. You need to set the tone about how you speak to them and the manager needs to constantly reflect that same tone in posts.

- Just like how you don't want to spam them with the same marketing speak, make sure your posts are mixed up
- Ensure you trust the social media manager enough to engage in replies and messages

In terms of rate, a good social media freelancer will take on your work between R2000-R3000 so long as they deliver the basics above.

I would put a post on the Facebook group "The Resource", as there will be many reputable freelancers that will take on the work for you and will even present their qualifications/experience, so you don't just take on any person.

[Rocca89]

You need to pay 200 USD for a month. for all social media channel management.

Thanks very much, appreciate it!

[Rocca89]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate your detailed answer! Okay, you've confirmed what I had in my mind; I am planning to offer R2000 for the basics; posting consistently on IG & FB, employing good copy, tagging relevant companies, ensuring correct usage of the most effective hashtags, handling comments etc.

I did have a follow up question; I 100% need MORE assistance than the above, whether my budget will allow it however is another matter.

But again, I'm curious about payment; I need assistance with:

- strategizing about how to permeate the local market through IG & FB
- connecting with influencers in the city
- setting up and monitoring ad campaigns
- overseeing email marketing, mailchimp etc
- and also consulting; just having someone who I can whatsapp and call on a weekly basis to chat about our socials.

Over and above the 2k I could probably budget another 2k for the above. How far, in your opinion, do you think this could get me?

Thanks again for your help (",)

[ians]

This is an interesting topic and something i plan to look into in the near future.

[adrianh]

How the hell do you pay somebody to run your social media if they don't know $h1T about your business. I wouldn't let a remote control social media "influencer-$h!ttalker" near my business with a barge pole. Talk about Fake!

[nelsonscomedy]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate your detailed answer! Okay, you've confirmed what I had in my mind; I am planning to offer R2000 for the basics; posting consistently on IG & FB, employing good copy, tagging relevant companies, ensuring correct usage of the most effective hashtags, handling comments etc.

I did have a follow up question; I 100% need MORE assistance than the above, whether my budget will allow it however is another matter.

But again, I'm curious about payment; I need assistance with:

- strategizing about how to permeate the local market through IG & FB
- connecting with influencers in the city
- setting up and monitoring ad campaigns
- overseeing email marketing, mailchimp etc
- and also consulting; just having someone who I can whatsapp and call on a weekly basis to chat about our socials.

Over and above the 2k I could probably budget another 2k for the above. How far, in your opinion, do you think this could get me?

Thanks again for your help (",)

That takes you beyond an extra R2k, as strategy is a job all by itself and its highly specialised.

The work needed to research involves competitor analysis, brand engagement and reach analysis, audience segmentation and targets.

As I mentioned, freelancers on the Resource will approach you, and any worth their salt will provide plausible portfolios from previous work that will give you insight into their capabilities, and work hard to create a solid, dependable relationship that will grow your business.

The more likes, subscribers and followers you get through them, the better their portfolios are.

[nelsonscomedy]

How the hell do you pay somebody to run your social media if they don't know $h1T about your business. I wouldn't let a remote control social media "influencer-$h!ttalker" near my business with a barge pole. Talk about Fake!

There are dedicated freelancers that have experience in specific sectors like banking, retail and tourism. If they don't have plausible or impressive-looking portfolios and data to share, then I would avoid them.

Of course, if you hold such a negative response, I doubt any social media freelancer would be able to help you grow your business effectively anyway. The most experienced of them will be able to suss out customers willing to invest and take the time rather than expect gold in 20 seconds.

[adrianh]

There are dedicated freelancers that have experience in specific sectors like banking, retail and tourism. If they don't have plausible or impressive-looking portfolios and data to share, then I would avoid them.

Of course, if you hold such a negative response, I doubt any social media freelancer would be able to help you grow your business effectively anyway. The most experienced of them will be able to suss out customers willing to invest and take the time rather than expect gold in 20 seconds.

LoL

[vieome]

nelsonscomedy= Rocca89

[ians]

How the hell do you pay somebody to run your social media if they don't know $h1T about your business. I wouldn't let a remote control social media "influencer-$h!ttalker" near my business with a barge pole. Talk about Fake!

I see vieome also picked it up

Just imagine if you fault on 1 payment ...you would be pretty scr$wed.

However ... maybe not a "remote freelancer" ...but I am certainly going to be looking into getting someone to make my social media presence ... more professional.

Facebook for example ... I dumped the majority of "friends" accumulated over the years ... kept family and a few people I keep in contact with on a regular basis.

Started a new profile and use it for what most people are using it for "advertising" no person info ...pics etc. ...just good old product promotion ... the friends list has grown huge in a short period of time ... and boy the people want to be friends so they can dump all the product ... I need to employ the services of someone to make me look good all the time ... respond to the odd post so it looks like you showing interest in others ... the likes and the 2 maybe 3 word responses.

Next is to start a group ... and make it look like real we care about the people of SA and one for animals ... before you know it there will be T-shirts and stickers for sale ... a non-profit support group bank account.

Then there is Instagram and LinkedIn ... I have profiles but never visit them anymore because it has just become another place which I assume Facebook must have bought ... looking at all the advertising... but want to become a nice guy on those platforms for the people gulible enough to bother opening them ... that one R50 k a month customer could be browsing there.

Then there is still YouTube ... man it is time consuming to manage all the socials.

A sweet young lady with only good things to say and a pure innocent mind ... who knows how to play nicely with others ... load "nice content" everyday ... punt the business in a good way ... I would be prepared to pay a fee ... but just make sure she doesn’t have total control and you can block her if things don’t work out.

[adrianh]

I would never let anybody near my social media presence. I prefer to try and stay out of the limelight. The problem with social media marketing is that the platform is used to pirate all your products and ideas. When you have a 3rd party do this for you you are fake and you run the risk of being found out. All it takes is one crappy post and you are done for. Fake superficial marketing is the pits.

I think that we are moving back to "boots on the ground" marketing because it is hard to copy and pirate the products. None of my customers (I have a couple of really really big customers) market their products to their customers on social media - They all speak one on one (meet with buyers etc). I've had too many products and ideas ripped off on FaceLazyCopyPirateBook. I WILL NEVER EVER AGAIN post any of my work on FaceLazyCopyPirateBook or any other social media platform for that matter.

This kind of marketing is great for some industries like say a wine farm getting into eventing or the general leisure industry etc. I think though that it is kinka superficial of highly technical small companies and also very risky.

So, my bottom line is this: I think that it is great that there are people out there providing remote social media marketing services to those the want it but I would not touch it with a barge pole.

[adrianh]

A sweet young lady with only good things to say and a pure innocent mind ...

...can sit on my lap all day....

...and we can forget about social media....

....yes yes...I am a dog :-)

[zonzhu]

Yes! but may be a bit increasing if need, But not more than $300

[vieome]

nelsonscomedy= Rocca89=Zonzhu