If you’ve ever wondered whether you need a marketing consultant or a social media manager, you’re not alone. The titles sound similar, but the roles are actually quite different and hiring the wrong one can cost you time, money, and results. So let’s clear it up.
The Social Media Manager
A social media manager is usually the person behind your Instagram posts, Facebook captions, TikToks, and stories.
What they typically do:
Create and schedule content
Engage with your audience
Track basic metrics (reach, likes, shares, etc.)
Keep your brand active on selected platforms
They’re great if your strategy is already in place and you just need someone to execute, show up consistently, and keep the vibe going.
But here’s the catch:If your overall marketing feels chaotic, unclear, or disconnected from your actual business goals… a social media manager can only do so much. They might keep your feed looking nice, but that doesn’t guarantee sales or growth.
They show up, stay consistent and keep your brand alive, but don’t expect them to build the roadmap.
The Marketing Consultant
A marketing consultant takes a step back to look at the big picture. They focus on the why and the how - not just the what to post.
What they typically do:
Audit your current marketing efforts
Identify what’s working and what’s not
Help you define your offers, audience, and messaging
Develop a full strategy across all channels
Recommend (or help hire) the right team members
Think of a consultant as your marketing co-pilot. They're not just posting - they’re planning, prioritizing and aligning your marketing with your actual business goals.
A consultant connects the dots between your marketing and your business goals.
Why You Might Need One Over the Other
Scenario | You Likely Need a... |
You’re starting from scratch and don’t know what to focus on | Marketing Consultant |
You’ve got a clear strategy but no time to post | Social Media Manager |
You’re posting regularly but not getting leads or sales | Consultant first, than manager |
You’re growing and need help scaling your content team | Both - with a clear strategy in place |
How I Help My Clients
At Palaonta Marketing, I work with small business owners who are doing all the right things - posting on Instagram, running the occasional ads, updating their websites - but not seeing the results they hoped for.
That’s usually because the strategy is missing or outdated. Here’s how I help:
I review what’s already in place and identify what’s worth keeping and what’s just noise.
I help clarify your offers, ideal audience, and key messages.
I create a custom marketing plan that fits your stage of business, your goals, and your time (or team) capacity.
If needed, I guide or help you find the right people to execute - like a copywriter, designer, or yes, a social media manager.
The goal? To stop wasting time on random tactics and start doing less, but better.
Curious which one you need?
Let’s talk! Book a complimentary discovery call and we’ll figure out what makes the most sense for your business and where you’ll get the best return for your time and budget.
