What to Look for When Hiring a Social Media Manager in New Hampshire

Jul 14

4 min read

So you've decided you need help with your social media. Good. That's step one. Step two is figuring out who to actually hire, and this is where a lot of business owners get stuck, or worse, get burned.

I've talked to plenty of business owners across the White Mountains who hired the wrong person. A cousin's kid who's "good with phones." A cheap freelancer from overseas who posts generic stock quotes with zero connection to the business. A big agency that treats a local shop in North Woodstock NH the exact same way they'd treat a national chain, because that's all they know how to do.

If you're going to hand someone the keys to how your business looks online, here's what actually matters.

Downtown Plymouth NH Main Street storefronts lit up at dusk with brick buildings and shop windows

They Should Understand Your Local Market, Not Just Social Media

Anyone can learn how to schedule a post. That's not the hard part. The hard part is knowing what actually resonates with people in New Hampshire, and more specifically, in your corner of it.

A social media manager who gets Plymouth NH, Lincoln NH, or Laconia NH knows that "Locals Night" means something different up here than it would in a city. They know the tourist season shifts what you should be posting and when. They know your customer base probably includes both year round locals and seasonal visitors, and the content needs to speak to both without feeling split in two directions.

If the person you're talking to can't tell you anything specific about your area, that's a red flag. You don't need someone who's lived here their whole life, but you do need someone who's actually paying attention.

Ask Them What They Know About Your Industry

Restaurants, construction companies, trades, and outdoor businesses all need very different things from their social media. A restaurant needs mouthwatering photos and a reason to come in tonight. A construction company needs proof of work and trust. A trades business needs to look reliable and responsive, not flashy.

If a candidate gives you the same pitch regardless of what industry you're in, they're not tailoring anything. They're running a template.

Real Experience Beats a Big Portfolio

Anyone can put together a slick looking portfolio. What you actually want to see is proof that they've grown accounts for businesses like yours, ideally small, local, and in industries similar to what you do.

Ask to see actual before and after numbers. Follower growth is fine, but engagement matters more. Are people commenting? Sharing? Actually showing up because of what they saw online? A page with ten thousand followers and zero comments isn't doing much for your business.

Don't be afraid to ask for references you can actually call. A legitimate social media manager or agency will have happy clients who are glad to talk about their experience.

Communication Style Matters More Than People Think

This is the one that trips people up the most. You're going to be working closely with whoever manages your social media. If they're slow to respond, vague about what they're doing, or disappear for weeks at a time, that's going to drive you nuts.

Before you sign anything, pay attention to how they communicate during the sales process itself. Are they clear? Do they actually answer your questions, or dodge them with buzzwords? Do they explain things in plain English, or do they talk in a way that makes you feel dumb for asking?

If a conversation with them already feels like pulling teeth, imagine what it'll be like six months in when you need a quick answer about a post that didn't go live.

Pricing Should Be Clear, Not Mysterious

Social media management pricing in New Hampshire varies a lot depending on what's included. Some people charge per post. Some charge a flat monthly retainer. Some bundle in content creation, some don't and expect you to hand over photos yourself.

Whatever the structure, it should be spelled out clearly before you commit. Watch out for vague packages that don't tell you exactly what you're getting each month. A real agreement should tell you how many posts, what platforms, whether content creation is included, and what happens if you want to cancel.

Cheap isn't always bad, and expensive isn't always good. What matters is whether the price matches what's actually being delivered.

They Should Ask You Questions, Not Just Pitch You

Here's a good gut check. During your first conversation, is the person mostly talking about themselves, or are they asking about your business? A social media manager worth hiring wants to know who your customers are, what makes your business different, what's worked before, and what hasn't.

If the whole conversation feels like a sales pitch with no real curiosity about your business, that's usually how the actual work will go too. Generic questions lead to generic content.

Trust Your Gut, But Verify With Facts

At the end of the day, you're going to have a working relationship with this person or team. Personality fit matters. But don't let a good vibe replace due diligence. Look at actual work samples. Ask direct questions about strategy, not just aesthetics. Find out who's actually doing the work, especially with bigger agencies where the person who pitches you might not be the person managing your account.

Luna Mendoza, founder of All Over The Moon, a social media marketing agency based in Rumney, New Hampshire

I'd Love to Be That Person for Your Business

I'm Luna, and I run All Over The Moon, a social media agency based in Rumney NH. I work with construction companies, restaurants, trades, and service businesses across the White Mountains and the wider New Hampshire area, and I built this business around actually knowing my clients, not running the same template for everyone.

If you're ready to hire someone who gets your business and your corner of New Hampshire, head to alloverthemoon.com or text me directly at (603) 322-1764. I'm happy to talk through what you actually need before you commit to anything.