Ah, social media. It’s where brands get famous overnight, hashtags go rogue, and your weird uncle starts political arguments under your Instagram post. Love it or hate it, you can’t ignore it, especially if you run a business. But managing it? That’s a whole thing.You are juggling content, engagement, DMs, reels, memes, analytics, and oh, running the actual business too. We see you. That’s where the age-old question comes in: Should you hire an in-house social media manager or outsource it?
Spoiler: There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on your budget, your goals, your tolerance for chaos, and maybe how many breakdowns you have had trying to figure out TikTok. Let’s break it all down, friend-group-chat style.
What Does a Social Media Manager Actually Do?
Let’s get one thing straight: a social media manager isn’t just someone who “posts stuff.” If that’s what you think, go ahead and sit with that for a moment. (We are not mad, just disappointed.)
A proper social media manager wears many hats, like all the hats. They create content (posts, reels, stories, memes that slap), write captions that actually convert, schedule like a boss, answer DMs like a human and not a robot, track analytics, spy on competitors, run ads, tweak strategies, and sometimes act as a customer service rep when someone comments “WORST SERVICE EVER.”
Also? They know their way around social media manager tools like Hootsuite, Buffer, Later, and the holy grail, Meta Business Suite (aka where souls go to be tested).
So yes, a social media manager for hire is more than a vibe; they are a digital Swiss Army knife. And that is why by 2030, the Indian social media management industry will have grown to a value of $1.162 billion.
So, if you are thinking of pursuing the path for yourself and want to go more into detail about it, check out our blog.
Pros of Hiring an In-House Social Media Manager
Having an in-house social media manager is kind of like having your bestie at work. They know your brand inside and out; they are there for the good, the bad, and the “can we delete that post before anyone sees it” moments. If you are a control freak (respectfully), having someone in-house may give you the peace of mind you have been craving since Instagram added the Reels tab. In fact, Naukri.com has more than 10,000+ job vacancies as of May 2025. That means a lot of companies are looking for the same peace of mind.
Here’s why in-house can be a win:
They live and breathe your brand.
Every TikTok, every emoji, every caption, it’s infused with your brand’s voice. Like a custom latte, but for content.
Instant collaboration.
No Slack delays, no email chains, no time zone gymnastics. Need a quick brainstorm or campaign pivot? Just turn your chair.
They grow with your brand.
Over time, they’ll help shape long-term strategies, test things out, and pivot fast based on what’s working (or flopping).
They are aligned with internal goals.
Sales? Launches? Events? They are looped in from the jump, not catching up on a Zoom call 2 weeks later.
Cons of Hiring In-House
Alright, let’s talk about the not-so-fun side of social media management. Hiring in-house comes with some baggage (and not the fun kind with cute stickers). Basically, if you are going to go in-house, be ready to commit like it’s a long-term relationship.
It can be expensive.
Between salary, benefits, training, office space (if you are old school), and those social media manager tools, they ain’t cheap. Expect anywhere from $50k to $90k+ a year.
They can’t do everything.
One person can only wear so many hats before they start spiralling. Design, copy, video editing, analytics, sometimes you need a team, not a solo hero.
Onboarding is a time-suck.
It takes weeks (months, let’s be real) to get someone fully up to speed. You are basically raising a digital baby.
And if they quit… oof.
You are left scrambling. And who’s gonna post about your new launch? You? With what time?
Pros of Outsourcing Social Media
Now let’s flip the script. Outsourcing a social media manager is like ordering from Swiggy instead of cooking: someone else handles the heavy lifting, and you still get the results (yummy food without the dishes). India is also among the top countries for outsourcing social media managers due to cost efficiency and high English proficiency. We have many talents. Here’s why outsourcing might just be your new fave:
Access to a whole squad.
Most agencies or freelancers come equipped with social media manager tools, a designer, a copywriter, a strategist, and even someone who understands analytics (bless them).
It’s cheaper.
Well, cheaper than hiring a full-time in-house social media manager, especially when you factor in benefits, training, and tools.
You can scale.
Need 3 posts a week? Cool. Need 7 posts + stories + UGC campaigns? The social media manager for hire got you.
Outside perspective.
They bring fresh ideas and less bias, which can help your content avoid sounding like corporate oatmeal.
And if you have ever searched “social media manager for hire” at 2 AM after a viral flop, you already know the peace of mind that comes with outsourcing.
Cons of Outsourcing
Before you recklessly hand over your passwords to the internet equivalent of a shady stranger in a van offering candy, let’s take a moment to discuss the risks involved.
Less control.
You are not in the driver’s seat 24/7, which means there might be a lag in approvals, edits, or crisis control.
They may not “get” you.
Sometimes, no matter how many Zooms or overhauls you have, the content just doesn’t feel like you.
Timezone tango.
Depending on where they are based, that “quick revision” might take 48 hours or even more. And you can’t always wait that long.
Quality roulette.
Not all outsourced providers are created equal. Some are amazing. Others… should not be trusted with a Canva login.
The dark side.
Identity theft, financial loss, unauthorised access, and malware infections. Outsourcing your social media manager can be risky. So choose a trustworthy one, or regret everything.
Cost Comparison: In-House vs. Agency/Freelancer
In-House Social Media Manager:
Salary: ₹3,00,000 – ₹8,00,000/year (more in metro cities like Mumbai/Delhi/Bangalore)
Benefits (PF, insurance, etc.): +15–25% of salary
Social media tools (Canva, Hootsuite, etc.): ₹1,000 – ₹5,000/month
Training/Conferences: ₹10,000 – ₹30,000/year
Outsourced (Freelancer or Agency):
Freelancer: ₹10,000 – ₹50,000/month
Small agency: ₹20,000 – ₹1,00,000/month
Larger agency: ₹1,00,000 – ₹3,00,000+/month
Hidden Costs:
Your time spent briefing, reviewing, or correcting work.
Risk of miscommunication or inconsistent brand voice.
TL;DR:
Freelancers/agencies are cheaper upfront but may lack long-term brand understanding.
In-house hires cost more but offer better ROI if you need deep brand alignment.
When to Choose In-House
Still reading? Okay, here’s when hiring in-house is probably your best bet:
- You have a strong internal brand culture. Your voice, tone, memes, they matter. And someone internal will live that every day.
- You post constantly. Like, “this person needs a badge and maybe a nap” levels of content output.
- You are building community. Engaging in comments, DMs, forums, it’s relationship-building, and it’s way easier with someone immersed in your world.
- You want a long-term strategy and growth. Not just someone who posts. Someone who plans. And pivots. And makes it better over time.
In short, if you are in it for the long haul and want a deep, always-on brand presence, you probably want that in-house social media manager.
When to Outsource
But hey, maybe you are not ready for that level of commitment. That’s okay. Here’s when outsourcing is the move:
- You are a startup or solopreneur. You’re doing the work of five people already. Please outsource.
- You need expert help fast. Launching next week? Don’t train someone, hire a pro who can plug in now.
- You want flexibility. Seasonal pushes, limited campaigns, or specific platforms (hello, TikTok experts), outsourcing lets you mix and match.
- You are scaling. Outsourcing helps you grow without the HR headaches.
Basically, outsourcing is your shortcut to looking like you have a team of 10 when it’s just you and your cat.
Hybrid Option: Best of Both Worlds?
You don’t always have to choose. Many brands go hybrid. They hire an in-house social media manager to own strategy, voice, and engagement, then outsource stuff like:
- Graphic design
- Reels editing
- Paid ad management
- Analytics deep dives
Think of it like building a creative Voltron. You get someone in-house to steer the ship, and a fleet of freelancers or agencies to row, paddle, and occasionally drop the viral memes. And yeah, it’s more admin work. But it’s also max flexibility. Pick a struggle.
So, What’s Right for You?
Alright, we have laid it all out. Whether you are team in-house, team outsource, or team “please just make the Instagram work,” you’ve got options.
Ask yourself:
- What’s your budget?
- How often do you need content?
- Do you care more about brand consistency or flexibility?
- How much control do you want (or need)?
Still not sure? That’s literally what we are here for. We specialise in making your social media presence as iconic as your energy. Whether you are looking for a social media manager for hire or need help choosing the right social media manager tools, we’ve got your back.
Drop us your info, and we’ll reply faster than that certain someone😉
