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.
If you already know that is the part you want off your plate, see posts from your website first.
Boomp takes a different approach: it prepares posts from your business context so you can review and approve them before they publish. For $99/month, you get 20 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 Posting Software (Boomp) — $99/month
Posts are created from your business context, prepared for review, and published after approval. No blank content calendar, no graphic design, no prompts to manage.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boomp | $99 | Yes (20 posts) | Preview first, then approve | Approved posts stay on track |
| 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? → Boomp ($99/month, posts prepared for approval)
- 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
Preview posts from your website first. If the voice and content fit, plans start at $99/month with no contracts.
See posts from your website first
About Boomp: Done-for-you software that turns your website into 20 posts per month ready to approve for Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Google Business Profile. Plans start at $99/month with no contracts. See posts from your website first
Want to see what Boomp can do for your Salon business?
Get a free, no-login preview of 12 custom posts for your business here.
Related Guides
Looking to explore more options? Check out these related guides:
