The role of the community manager is increasingly important in a company’s communications strategy. He or she is responsible for managing social networks, creating and sharing content, interacting with subscribers and developing the company’s online presence. However, the choice between recruiting a salaried community manager or hiring a freelancer can be a difficult one for a company. Each of these options has advantages and disadvantages that are important to consider before making a decision. In this article, we’ll look at the pros and cons of each of these options to help you decide which one is right for your business.
What is a community manager and what is their role in a company ?
A community manager is a professional in charge of managing a company’s online presence on social networks and other community platforms. His or her role is to create, animate and develop a community around the company, its brand, products or services.
The community manager is responsible for creating and distributing content on the company’s various communication channels, such as social networks (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.), forums, blogs and video sharing sites. He/she is also responsible for monitoring the company’s reputation on social networks and managing interactions with web users.
It can be said that the community manager’s role is to create an online community around the company, establish and maintain open and transparent communication with customers and prospects, promote the brand and enhance the company’s image.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of hiring a salaried community manager?
Hiring a salaried community manager has advantages and disadvantages that’must be considered before making a decision. Here are the main advantages and disadvantages of this option:
Advantages :
Hiring a salaried community manager offers a company several advantages. Firstly, he or she is entirely dedicated to the company and has in-depth knowledge of its culture and values, enabling him or her to communicate effectively with customers and prospects. What’s more, as they are available full-time, they can manage social networks and respond to requests from Internet users in real time. The salaried community manager can also work closely with other company departments, such as marketing, sales and customer service, to ensure that online communication is aligned with the company’s overall strategy. Finally, he/she may propose creative ideas to improve the company’s online presence by participating in the creation of the online communication strategy.
Disadvantages :
However, there are also disadvantages to hiring a salaried community manager. First of all, it can represent a significant cost for the company, particularly in terms of salary and social security contributions. In addition, the company needs to ensure that the community manager has the necessary skills and experience to carry out his or her tasks. Finally, in the event of fluctuations in the company’s activity, the salaried community manager may find himself out of work or under-utilized.
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What are the advantages and disadvantages of hiring a freelance community manager?
Hiring a freelance community manager has advantages and disadvantages for a company.
Avatanges :
Hiring a freelance community manager has several advantages for a company. Firstly, it can offer specialized expertise and varied experience, as freelancers often work with several different customers and may have in-depth knowledge of different sectors. In addition, customers can benefit from the added flexibility of hiring freelancers. Freelancers often charge by the hour or by the project, and can be hired for specific periods of time. This can be particularly useful for companies with one-off projects or fluctuating online communication needs.
In addition, freelancers can offer a potentially lower cost for companies. They don’t require benefits and can be hired on a short-term basis. Small businesses can benefit from this advantage. They often don’t have the resources to hire a full-time employee.
Finally, recruiting a freelance community manager can offer a perspective from outside the company. Indeed, the freelancer can bring new ideas and expertise in online communication. This can help improve the company’s online presence.
Disadvantages :
However, there are also disadvantages to consider. First of all, it can be difficult to find a reliable and competent freelancer. Indeed, there is often a lot of competition on the market. In addition, freelancers generally work remotely, which can make communication and collaboration more difficult. They may also be less available or responsive than full-time salaried employees. In addition, it can be difficult to maintain continuity in the company’s online communication. Freelancers may work for several clients at the same time and may not be available all the time.
Salaried or freelance community manager ? My opinion
My opinion is that it’s preferable to recruit a freelance community manager for several reasons. First of all, a freelancer can bring specialized expertise in specific areas of online communication. This can benefit your business. In addition, freelancers can offer greater flexibility in terms of time and costs. You can adjust hours and tasks to suit your needs.
When it comes to platforms for finding a freelance community manager, there are many options, including BeFreelancr, ComeUp, Freelancer, Upwork, Fiverr and Malt. These platforms enable companies to find qualified freelancers for their online communications projects. They also offer tools for managing projects and payments.
