When your social media needs more attention than you can give it, there are two common options: hire a social media manager, or work with an agency. Both can work well. Here’s how to decide.

An in-house social media manager

• Strengths: they’re part of your team, know your business closely and can respond quickly to what’s happening day to day.
• Things to consider: one person may not cover every skill, like strategy, design, video editing and ads, so you may need extra tools or support.

A social media agency

• Strengths: access to a range of skills in one place, like strategists, writers, designers, editors and ad specialists, plus fresh ideas from outside your business.
• Things to consider: they need good briefs and regular communication to understand your business well.

Questions to help you decide

• How much content do you need each month?
• Do you need design, video and ads, or mainly posting and community management?
• Who in your team will brief, review and approve content?
• Do you need help with strategy, or just execution?

The combination option

Some businesses have an in-house person who handles day-to-day posting and community, while an agency handles strategy, content creation or ads. It can be the best of both.