Should You Hire a Community Manager? Things to Know Before You Do

Hiring a community manager sounds like the next big step, right? They'll take over your Instagram, engage with followers, maybe even make a few cute graphics.

But here’s the truth: A community manager is not a marketing manager.
They’re not an ad specialist.
They’re not a brand strategist.
And they’re definitely not a designer.

Most of the time, growing a project into a real, resonant brand means working with all of those roles — at the right time, and in the right order.

This article is here to guide you through that order.

Step One: Don’t Start With Execution. Start With Clarity.

If you’re stuck or feel like you’re spinning your wheels, you don’t need a social media manager. You need a consultant.

A consultant helps you see the bigger picture.
They help you understand what stage your business is in and what kind of support will truly move the needle.
They also help you avoid wasting money by jumping into action without a plan.

A good consultant will guide you through each step.
A great consultant will guide you and leverage their network to help you grow faster and more sustainably.

What to Clarify Before Hiring a Community Manager

Before bringing someone on to "build community," you need to know exactly what you're building and why. Here’s what should be clear:

1. Your Positioning

What space do you occupy in your industry?
What makes you different from the others in your category?
This is what your future team will build from. If you can’t define it, they can’t amplify it.

2. Your Mission & Values

What are you here to do — and why should people care? Clear values help your community manager speak with your voice and attract the right people, not just random traffic.

3. Your Target Audience

Who are you trying to reach? Not just in demographics, but in mindset, values, lifestyle. The more precise, the more effective your messaging and content will be.

4. Your Tone of Voice

Are you warm and conversational? Bold and artistic? Edgy and minimal? Your tone is part of your brand identity. It informs every post, comment, and DM your community manager sends.

5. Your Growth Strategy

Are you building for visibility, trust, conversion, or all three? Different goals require different strategies. A clear roadmap allows your team to focus their efforts and measure success.

6. Your Content System

Do you have one in place? Are you making content just to post, or with intention and direction? A community manager can implement and maintain your strategy — but it needs to be developed first.

Final Word

Hiring a community manager can be a powerful step — at the right time. But clarity comes first. Strategy comes first.

Before hiring someone to talk to your audience, make sure you know what you want to say, who you’re talking to, and why you’re showing up in the first place.

If you’re not there yet? That’s okay. Start with consulting. Build your brand from the inside out.

Your community will come. But it needs something real to gather around.

Ready to get clear before you grow?

Book your free Mise en Bouche audit — and let’s set the table for your next chapter.