If you're a small business owner looking for alternatives to hiring a social media manager, you're probably frustrated with one of two things: the cost is too high, or the tools still require you to do all the work.
Most social media tools are scheduling platforms. They help you post, but you still have to write every caption, design every graphic, and manage every content calendar yourself.
Glow Social takes a different approach: it creates and publishes your content automatically. For $99/month, you get 12+ custom posts per month across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Google Business Profile.
The 5 Best Alternatives to Hiring a Social Media Manager
1. Done-For-You AI Software (Glow Social) — $99/month
Content created AND published for you. No scheduling, no graphic design, no content calendar. Setup takes 5 minutes.Best for: Business owners who want posting handled completely without spending time on it.
Full comparison: How Much Does a Social Media Manager Actually Cost?
2. DIY Scheduling Tools (Buffer, Later) — Free to $40/month
You create the content, they help you schedule it across platforms.Best for: People who enjoy creating content and have 3-5 hours/month to spare.
Full comparison: Later vs. Buffer: Which Is Better? | Best Tools Under $50/Month
3. AI Writing Assistants (ChatGPT, Jasper) — $20-69/month
Help you write captions and brainstorm ideas, but you still do the scheduling and graphic design.Best for: People who want AI help with writing but prefer manual control over publishing.
4. Freelance Social Media Manager — $300-500/month
Hire an individual to handle your social media. Includes strategy, custom content, and typically 8-15 posts per month.Best for: Businesses with $300+/month budget who want human creativity and real-time engagement.
Pricing details: Social Media Manager Pricing Guide
5. Virtual Assistant — $200-400/month
Hire a VA to batch-create and schedule your social media content using templates you provide.Best for: Businesses that already have a content strategy and just need execution help.
Quick Comparison
| Option | Monthly Cost | Creates Content? | Your Time | Consistency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glow Social | $99 | Yes (12 posts) | 5 minutes | Guaranteed |
| Buffer/Later | $0-40 | No | 3-5 hours | Depends on you |
| AI Writers | $20-69 | Partial (text only) | 2-3 hours | Depends on you |
| Freelancer | $300-500 | Yes | 1-2 hours | Mostly |
| Virtual Assistant | $200-400 | With direction | 1-2 hours | Mostly |
The Real Question
The right alternative depends on what's stopping you from posting consistently:
- No time? → Glow Social ($99/month, everything automated)
- No ideas? → AI writers + scheduling tool ($20-50/month)
- No budget? → Buffer free tier + your own time
- Want human help? → Freelancer ($300-500/month)
See our full guide: Affordable Social Media Management for Small Business
Get Started
Try Glow Social for $99/month. Setup takes 5 minutes, no contracts, cancel anytime.
About Glow Social: AI-powered software that automatically creates and publishes 12 custom posts per month to Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Google Business Profile. $99/month, 5-minute setup, no contracts. glowsocial.com
Want to see what Glow Social can do for your Salon business?
Get a free, no-login preview of 12 custom posts for your business here.
