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Best Marketplaces to Hire Social Media Managers: A Guide for Growing Businesses
Finding the right social media manager can transform your online presence from invisible to influential. Whether you run a small business, manage a startup, or lead a marketing team, the challenge is the same: you need someone who understands platforms, creates content that connects, and drives real results. The good news is that specialized marketplaces have made it easier than ever to find qualified social media professionals without the hassle of traditional hiring. This guide walks you through eight reliable platforms where you can connect with talented social media managers who fit your budget, timeline, and business goals.
- Legiit
Legiit stands out as a marketplace built specifically for digital marketing services, making it an excellent choice when you need a social media manager who understands the bigger picture. Unlike general freelance platforms, Legiit focuses entirely on marketing disciplines, which means every professional you find has been vetted within that specific context. The platform offers fixed-price packages, so you know exactly what you’re paying before you commit.
What makes Legiit particularly useful is its emphasis on transparency and results. Social media managers on the platform often showcase their previous work, client reviews, and specific service packages that range from content creation to full account management. You can filter by price range, delivery time, and service type to find someone who matches your needs. The fixed-price model eliminates the guesswork around hourly rates and project scope, which is especially helpful if you’re working with a tight budget or need predictable monthly costs.
- Toptal
Toptal operates on the principle that only the top three percent of freelance talent makes it through their screening process. If you need a social media manager with proven expertise and a track record of working with established companies, this platform delivers high-caliber professionals. The vetting process includes multiple rounds of testing and interviews, so by the time you meet a candidate, they’ve already cleared significant hurdles.
The trade-off for this quality is cost. Toptal professionals command premium rates, typically starting well above what you’d pay on general marketplaces. However, if your social media strategy is critical to your business model or you’re managing high-stakes campaigns, the investment often pays off. Toptal also offers a matching service where they connect you with candidates based on your specific requirements, saving you hours of searching and screening.
- We Work Remotely
We Work Remotely takes a different approach by functioning as a job board rather than a freelance marketplace. This platform is ideal if you’re looking to hire a social media manager for a long-term position rather than a one-off project. Companies post full-time, part-time, or contract positions, and candidates apply directly to you.
The quality of applicants on We Work Remotely tends to be high because the platform attracts professionals who are serious about remote work as a career path. You’ll find social media managers with varied experience levels, from specialists in specific platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to generalists who can handle multiple channels. The hiring process requires more effort on your end since you’ll need to screen applications, conduct interviews, and negotiate terms, but you gain more control over finding someone who fits your company culture and long-term vision.
- PeoplePerHour
PeoplePerHour combines elements of both project-based hiring and hourly work, giving you flexibility in how you structure your engagement with a social media manager. The platform is particularly strong in the European market but serves clients globally. You can post a project and receive proposals, or you can browse through profiles and invite specific freelancers to work with you.
One standout feature is the WorkStream system, which allows you to hire someone for ongoing work without creating a new project each time. This works well for social media management, which typically requires consistent, recurring effort rather than one-time deliverables. The platform also offers payment protection and a clear dispute resolution process, which adds a layer of security when working with someone new. Pricing varies widely, so you can find both budget-friendly options and experienced professionals who charge higher rates.
- Mayple
Mayple focuses exclusively on marketing talent and uses an algorithm combined with human vetting to match you with pre-screened social media managers. The platform is designed for businesses that want professional-level help without the complexity of managing the search process themselves. When you submit your requirements, Mayple analyzes your needs and presents you with a shortlist of candidates who have relevant experience in your industry.
What sets Mayple apart is the platform’s focus on accountability and performance. Social media managers on Mayple typically have experience working with recognized brands or have demonstrated measurable results in previous campaigns. The platform also provides ongoing project management support, which can be helpful if you’re new to outsourcing marketing work or if you want an extra layer of oversight to ensure deliverables meet your standards.
- Contra
Contra is a commission-free platform where social media managers keep 100% of what they earn, which often translates to better rates for clients since freelancers don’t need to inflate prices to cover platform fees. The platform has a clean, portfolio-focused interface that makes it easy to review a professional’s previous work and get a sense of their style and capabilities before reaching out.
Contra works well if you value direct communication and want to build a collaborative relationship with your social media manager. The platform includes built-in tools for contracts, invoicing, and project management, streamlining the administrative side of hiring. Because it’s a newer platform, the pool of social media managers is smaller compared to established marketplaces, but the quality of talent is generally high, and many professionals appreciate the zero-commission model enough to be responsive and motivated.
- LinkedIn ProFinder
LinkedIn ProFinder leverages the professional network you already know to connect you with social media managers. When you submit a project request, LinkedIn matches you with up to five professionals who meet your criteria. You receive proposals directly in your LinkedIn messages, making it easy to review candidate profiles, recommendations, and work history all in one place.
The advantage of using LinkedIn for hiring is the transparency it provides. You can see mutual connections, read recommendations from previous clients and colleagues, and review a candidate’s full professional background before making contact. This context helps you assess not just skills but also professionalism and reliability. ProFinder works best for businesses that are already active on LinkedIn and want to hire someone who understands the platform’s nuances, which is particularly valuable if LinkedIn is an important channel for your social media strategy.
- Gun.io
Gun.io specializes in connecting businesses with freelancers for both technical and creative roles, including social media management. The platform conducts thorough vetting that includes skills assessments, portfolio reviews, and background checks. This level of screening makes Gun.io a solid choice if you need confidence that your social media manager has both the creative skills and the professionalism to represent your brand well.
Gun.io offers flexible engagement models, from short-term projects to long-term contracts, and provides support throughout the hiring process. The platform handles contracts, payments, and administrative details, which reduces the burden on your team. While Gun.io professionals typically charge mid-to-high rates, the quality and reliability tend to justify the investment, especially for businesses that need consistent, high-quality social media output without the overhead of managing multiple contractors.
- Bark
Bark operates on a reverse model where you describe your social media needs and professionals come to you with proposals. This approach saves time if you’re not sure exactly what you’re looking for or if you want to compare different approaches and pricing structures before committing. Bark covers a wide range of services, so you’ll find social media managers with different specializations, from organic content strategy to paid advertising.
The platform works particularly well for local businesses or those who prefer working with someone in their geographic area, though remote options are plentiful as well. Because professionals pay to respond to your request, you typically receive thoughtful proposals from people who are genuinely interested in your project. The quality varies more than on highly curated platforms, so you’ll need to do your own vetting by reviewing portfolios, checking references, and asking detailed questions. However, the competitive proposal process often results in reasonable pricing and motivated professionals who want to earn your business.
Choosing the right marketplace depends on your specific situation: your budget, the complexity of your social media needs, whether you want ongoing support or a one-time project, and how much time you can invest in the hiring process. Platforms like Legiit and Mayple offer curated experiences with pre-vetted talent, while options like We Work Remotely and Bark give you more control over the search and selection process. Higher-end platforms like Toptal deliver premium talent at premium prices, and commission-free options like Contra can offer good value. Take time to explore a couple of platforms that match your priorities, review candidate portfolios carefully, and start with a smaller project if you’re unsure. The right social media manager is out there, and these marketplaces make finding them far more manageable than going it alone.