Social media can be a really powerful way to connect with and build deeper relationships with your audience – but it can be extremely time consuming. So, we asked some folks we admire to share how they manage their social profiles and whether they’ve hired professionals to help.

Allan Hudson

We all know the importance of delivering our message to as large an audience as possible and social media does the trick. I have a daily schedule of marketing my novels through SM. I’ve chosen four sites which experience heavy traffic. For example, Facebook, twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. There are other sites I use occasionally, such as AllAuthor and Pinterest. I try to post regularly and informative. I have not hired teams or company as I find the market confusing with so many, promising big numbers. At present I enjoy the marketing for my novels, sharing reviews, excerpts and promotional ads I create using Format. Read more>>

Arminta Mckinney

I manage my own social media account, however, for the last few years that I need assistance in this area. It’s just simply too hard to manage it, while working full-time and running a full-time business. I’m making it work, but I also could be doing a lot better. Ten years ago, I’d say that 80% of my clients were from referrals, but times have changed and I’d say 65% are now referrals and the other 35% are from social media. So while I’m doing ok with managing my social accounts on my own, I hope to do better moving forward, with either hiring someone to assist, or cutting time in another area to devote it to social posts. Read more>>

Alana Palmer

I manage all of my social media because that is my specialty, with any company or university organization I am a part of I like to be on the creative leadership team. Read more>>

Cece Alaniz

Currently, I am managing my own social media with my music for the most part on Youtube. I also stay active on Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook, Spotify, and Reddit. I choose to manage my own social media, because I am able to do things on my own time, and maintain creative freedom while also maintaining my job, relationships, and other responsibilities/hobbies. The biggest advice I would give to new creators posting their content is to stay consistent, and that growth can take time. Especially in the beginning it can be a bit discouraging. The further I go with it the more results I see and I also practice more too, so I have gotten better at the music side of things! So really just making sure to stay consistent, and that also you can start very minimal. When I first started making content, I didn’t have a microphone setup, or even anything to hold a phone/camera, but I still would post by setting my phone up, and recording like that! You don’t need to start out with everything, just the basics is A-OK, as long as you’re having a fun time doing what your’e doing. Read more>>

Anne Mendez

Since starting The Lit Bitch in 2010, I’ve managed my social media accounts on my own, initially using Facebook and Twitter to share my book reviews and track my reading. Social media was simpler then, mostly focused on sharing links and connecting with a book-loving community. Over the years, platforms like Instagram and TikTok have transformed social media from link-sharing to a more complex mix of visuals, reels, and stories, all of which demand more time and creativity. Though I considered hiring someone to help manage these platforms, the cost has been a big factor, especially since blogging is a passion project rather than a paid role for me. I also enjoy the personal connection that managing my own accounts offers, even if it means having to scale back sometimes. Read more>>

Olesia Honcharenko

I manage my social media accounts myself, as it allows me to stay closer to my audience and respond quickly to trends and their needs. Plus, with my extensive experience in social media management, I value having personal control over the strategy and content to maintain authenticity and a unique voice. The main results of this approach have been steady growth and stronger loyalty among followers. It’s helped me understand my audience’s preferences more deeply and adapt more quickly to changes in the platforms. For other business owners deciding whether to delegate their social media, I’d suggest first evaluating how important it is for them to be personally involved. If they choose to hand it over to a team, I’d recommend finding professionals who genuinely share their values and can communicate with real authenticity. This is what builds trust in the long term. Read more>>

Sharmaine Menor

Three years ago, when I discovered I was expecting a child, my life took a transformative turn. As a new mom with a full-time job, I was juggling responsibilities and seeking more time to nurture my daughter. Yet, I realized the need for an additional stream of income to ensure a secure future for both of us. That’s when the world of digital marketing caught my eye, and I decided to dive in headfirst. Read more>>