In today’s fast-paced digital world, keeping up with consistent posting on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, and other platforms can be overwhelming. That’s where social media scheduling comes in. It ensures your content goes live at the right time, on the right platform, without you having to be online 24/7.
But the big question is: Who should you hire for social media scheduling? Should you work with a Virtual Assistant, a Social Media Assistant, or a full-fledged Social Media Manager? In this article, we’ll explore all the options, their responsibilities, pros and cons, and cost ranges to help you make the best hiring decision.
Why Social Media Scheduling Matters
◾ Consistency – Posting regularly builds brand awareness and trust.
◾ Time-Saving – Schedule a week or month of posts in one sitting.
◾ Better Engagement – Post when your audience is most active.
◾ Multi-Platform Efficiency – Manage Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok from one dashboard.
◾ Data-Driven Posting – Use analytics to optimize the best times to post.
Positions You Can Hire for Social Media Scheduling
Here are the most common roles businesses hire for this task:
1. Social Media Assistant (Entry-Level)
◾ Responsibilities: Schedules posts, writes captions, researches hashtags, basic engagement.
◾ Best For: Small businesses or solopreneurs.
◾ Cost: \$8–\$20/hour freelance or \$25K–\$40K/year full-time.
◾ Pros: Affordable, focused on execution.
◾ Cons: Needs guidance from a manager or strategist.
2. Virtual Assistant (VA) with Social Media Skills
◾ Responsibilities: Schedules posts, repurposes content, manages inbox/DMs.
◾ Best For: Entrepreneurs who want multitasking support.
◾ Cost: \$5–\$15/hour (depending on location).
◾ Pros: Cost-effective, flexible.
◾ Cons: May lack in-depth marketing knowledge.
3. Social Media Coordinator (Mid-Level)
◾ Responsibilities: Manages posting calendars, collaborates with creators, tracks analytics.
◾ Best For: Businesses managing multiple platforms.
◾ Cost: \$35K–\$50K/year.
◾ Pros: Organized, understands reporting.
◾ Cons: Higher cost than VA/assistant, less strategic than a manager.
4. Content Creator / Copywriter
◾ Responsibilities: Creates visuals, captions, and schedules posts.
◾ Best For: Brands that prioritize creative storytelling.
◾ Cost: \$20–\$40/hour freelance or \$40K–\$60K/year.
◾ Pros: Strong creative output, consistent brand voice.
◾ Cons: Not always focused on strategy or analytics.
5. Social Media Manager (Strategic Role)
◾ Responsibilities: Builds content calendars, manages campaigns, analyzes results, leads assistants/coordinators.
◾ Best For: Medium-to-large businesses or eCommerce brands.
◾ Cost: \$50K–\$80K/year.
◾ Pros: Strategic and execution-focused.
◾ Cons: Expensive if you only need scheduling.
6. Freelancer / Agency
◾ Responsibilities: Full-service – content creation, scheduling, engagement, reporting, ads.
◾ Best For: Businesses that want to outsource everything.
◾ Cost: \$500–\$2K/month (freelancer) or \$2K–\$10K+/month (agency).
◾ Pros: Professional, scalable, hands-off solution.
◾ Cons: Less control, can be costly.
Comparison Chart: Who Should You Hire?
| Position | Best For | Cost Estimate | Pros | Cons |
| Social Media Assistant | Small businesses / solopreneurs | $8–$20/hr / $25K–$40K/yr | Affordable, reliable execution | Needs guidance |
| Virtual Assistant (VA) | Entrepreneurs needing multitask support | $5–$15/hr | Cost-effective, flexible | Limited marketing expertise |
| Social Media Coordinator | Growing businesses with multiple pages | $35K–$50K/yr | Organized, analytics-focused | Higher cost, less strategic |
| Content Creator | Creative-focused brands | $20–$40/hr / $40K–$60K/yr | Strong creative skills, storytelling | Not strategy-driven |
| Social Media Manager | Medium to large businesses | $50K–$80K/yr | Strategic + execution, leadership role | Expensive for basic scheduling |
| Freelancer / Agency | Businesses wanting full outsourcing | $500–$10K+/mo | Professional, complete service | Costly, less personalized |
Tools for Social Media Scheduling
Whoever you hire, they should know these tools:
◾ Free/Basic: Buffer, Later, Meta Business Suite
◾ Mid-Level: Hootsuite, Loomly, SocialBee
◾ Advanced: Sprout Social, Agorapulse, CoSchedule
Social media scheduling is essential for building a consistent online presence and freeing up time for business growth. The position you hire depends on your budget, business size, and goals.
🔹 Hire a Social Media Assistant or VA if you just need scheduling help.
🔹 Choose a Coordinator for organized reporting.
🔹 Go for a Manager or Agency if you want full strategy + execution.
Making the right hire can save you hours every week and help your brand maintain a strong presence across all platforms.
(FAQs) About Hiring for Social Media Scheduling
What is the cheapest way to hire for social media scheduling?
The most affordable option is hiring a Virtual Assistant (VA) with social media skills. Rates often start at \$5–\$10/hour, making it budget-friendly for small businesses.
Do I need a Social Media Manager just for scheduling?
Not necessarily. A Social Media Manager is more strategic and handles campaigns, analytics, and content planning. If you only need scheduling, a Social Media Assistant or VA is enough.
How many hours per week does social media scheduling take?
For most small businesses, scheduling posts takes 5–10 hours per week, depending on how many platforms and posts you publish.
Can freelancers handle social media scheduling?
Yes. Many freelancers specialize in social media scheduling and content creation. Hiring a freelancer can be cost-effective if you don’t need a full-time employee.
What tools should a social media scheduler know?
Popular tools include Buffer, Hootsuite, Later, Sprout Social, and Meta Business Suite. These help with bulk scheduling, analytics, and cross-platform posting.
Is it better to hire in-house or outsource scheduling?
It depends on your needs:
◾ In-house (Assistant/Coordinator): More control and direct communication.
◾ Outsourcing (Freelancer/Agency): Saves time and provides expertise but can be more expensive.
Can AI handle social media scheduling instead of hiring someone?
Yes, AI tools like ChatGPT + scheduling platforms can help with caption writing and automated posting. However, a human touch is still needed for creativity, brand voice, and engagement.
