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.

Lily Gómez

I manage all of my own social media for Lil’ Lou Lou—from the photos and videos to the captions and engagement. I simply don’t have the extra cash to hire someone or a company to run it for me, and if I did, I’d absolutely consider getting that help. Social media can be a lot to keep up with—it’s hard to constantly come up with clever content, and I used to be really shy about showing my face or putting myself out there. Read more>>

Presley Bassinger

Once I opened my salon I knew almost immediately I could no longer do it myself. In my eyes having someone who can focus on getting all of the angles of content, editing, posting and engaging with others to grow our page and clientele base was a crucial must have. We both have access to social media accounts but my social media girl handles the most important parts of keeping it going! We have since gained so many followers as well as new clients from the type of content we post, it’s been very beneficial having someone who understands what your goal is! Read more>>

Kate Montano

Social media has been such a game changer to my business and see so many wonderful benefits through the various platforms. As a small business, I currently manage my own social media- however I have been leaning towards hiring another party to assist in this area. Like floristry, social media managers have an eye for their own craft to implement and create content to engage viewers. Social media has been challenging for me to manage because I believe it takes a lot of time and effort that draws me away from the creative component of floristry. The tactile experience I enjoy with creating and manipulating florals is very different from designing online. Read more>>

Kay Jones

I manage all my own social media because I know my brand better than anyone else…the voice, the vibe, the audience I’m speaking to. As a hairstylist and business owner, especially working with kids, I’ve found that personal connection through social media makes a real impact. I chose not to hire a team because I enjoy the creative control, and honestly, it saves me money while I’m still growing. It’s not always easy to stay consistent, especially when I’m juggling appointments, the salon, and everyday life , but showing up online has helped me build loyalty, grow my following, and attract clients who really align with my brand. Read more>>

Niza Phiri

I manage my own social media and I absolutely love doing so for the simple fact that I get to post authentic posts that relate to my life and my business. I get to engage with real life followers that I didn’t have to pay to follow me & most importantly I get to authentically be me. My advice to business owners is this; Make sure you post what feels good and authentic to you & not what people will just “like” be Natural, be you and keep posting even when you only get 1 or 10 likes. Read more>>

Ziyang Wang

I manage my own social media, primarily because I believe that no one knows my work and vision better than I do. When I initially established my photography studio in China in 2021 and subsequently shifted to the United States to attend college, social media turned out to be a very useful tool to connect with prospective clients and establish professional connections. It was through this internet-based platform that I had originally established my reputation and showcased my creative work in the best possible manner to a wider audience. Read more>>

Jessica Mirabile

My photography business is what it is today because of Instagram. Through this social media outlet I was able to share my work, organically grow a following and create my small business. I honestly don’t think I would have started at all if it weren’t for this platform. It was such a simple and easy way to start – and then it just grew from being consistent with posting, sharing, giveaways, tagging. At first I was afraid to launch a photography instagram page, I think I created it and kept it private for a while I was practicing shooting and learning more about my camera. Once I felt a little confident with my work I was able to promote myself and share my passion. Read more>>

Clara Jackson

Yes, I currently manage my own social media. Over the past year, I’ve really leaned into learning the ins and outs of content creation—from understanding what captures attention to how to convert views into actual clients or customers. At first, managing my own content was a financial decision. As a small business owner, I simply didn’t have the budget to hire someone. But I also saw it as an opportunity. I genuinely enjoy the creative process and wanted to challenge myself to learn how to market my brand in a way that felt personal, engaging, and true to my mission. Read more>>

Areina Cabezas

I manage all of my own social media across the board—Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and email blasts. Sassy Succulents RI is a tiny local business based in Rhode Island, and I’m a one-woman show. That means everything you see online is created and shared by me. Sometimes I use scheduling tools to help me stay organized, especially during busy weeks, but for the most part I post in the moment. Social media is one of the most important tools I have to reach new people and keep my community engaged. It’s where a lot of my customers first find me, and it’s where I get to show the behind-the-scenes of what I do. Read more>>

Andria Edlund

When times are lean it can feel really hard to want to spend money on anything. One of the things I prioritize during rough times is marketing. I feel like the instinct is to tighten the belt, however marketing is something I choose to invest in when times get harder. I have had super successful marketing seasons and I know when we are having an off season it isn’t because we are doing things differently it is because something has shifted and we get to learn and grow through that. Read more>>