Social Media Strategy vs. Social Media Management: What Your Business Actually Needs
If you're a small business owner looking to improve your social media presence, you might be wondering: do I need a social media strategist or a social media manager? Understanding the difference can help you make an informed decision.
Social Media Strategy: The Blueprint
A social media strategist focuses on the big picture—creating a plan to guide your social media efforts. They help you with:
Defining your brand voice and messaging
Identifying your target audience
Creating a content calendar and engagement plan
Analyzing performance and adjusting strategies
A strategist will often conduct competitor research, develop engagement tactics, and outline content pillars to ensure your brand maintains consistency across platforms. They also provide insights into platform trends and algorithm changes to help optimize reach.
Social Media Management: The Execution
A social media manager brings the strategy to life by handling the day-to-day operations, including:
Creating and scheduling posts
Engaging with followers and responding to comments/messages
Monitoring analytics and reporting insights
Managing paid ad campaigns (if applicable)
Social media managers ensure your content is posted at optimal times, community engagement remains high, and overall online presence remains active. Many also use scheduling and analytics tools like Later or Sprout Social to streamline workflows.
Which One Does Your Business Need?
If you’re unsure what to post, who to target, or how to measure success, a strategist can set the foundation.
If you already have a solid strategy but need help executing consistently, a social media manager is the way to go.
If you need both planning and execution, a full-service approach (like what we offer at Root & Rise Marketing) may be the best option.
Final Thoughts
Both roles are essential to a strong social media presence. If your social media isn’t getting results, it might be time to invest in either a strategy or ongoing management—or both! Understanding the distinction ensures you're investing in the right support for your business growth.
Root & Rise Marketing offers both social media strategy and management services, so you don’t have to choose one or the other. We work with you to develop a strategy that aligns with your business goals and then execute it effectively to drive engagement and growth. Let’s create a plan that works for your brand! If your social media isn’t getting results, it might be time to invest in either a strategy or ongoing management—or both! Understanding the distinction ensures you're investing in the right support for your business growth.
