Outsourcing Social Media: How to Choose the Right Strategic Partner

Let’s Be Honest—Social Media Isn’t a Side Hustle

If managing your brand’s social media has ever felt like a part-time job that eats into everything else, you’re not alone. It’s the first thing to get deprioritized… until you realize it’s also the first place your customers go to find you, evaluate you, and decide whether to trust you.

That’s why outsourcing social media can be the smartest move a growing brand makes — but only if you choose the right agency.

Because here’s the truth: not every agency is created equal. Pretty graphics and scheduled posts won’t build brand loyalty, conversions, or credibility. You need strategic execution.

At Fifth & Cor, we’ve taken over dozens of social media accounts from other firms, and we’ve seen what works — and what absolutely doesn’t. So before you sign the dotted line, here’s how to make the smartest hire you’ll make this year.

Why Brands Outsource Social Media in the First Place

Let’s start here. If you’re wondering if it’s time to outsource, ask yourself:

• Are you consistent in posting and performance?

• Is your content driving measurable results?

• Does your social media feel like an extension of your brand—or an afterthought?

  
  

Outsourcing isn’t about abdicating responsibility. It’s about elevating outcomes by partnering with experts who live and breathe this space. It’s also about saving time, improving quality, and finally giving your audience something worth following.

What High-Performing Agencies Actually Do

When outsourcing social media, look for a partner—not a vendor. The right agency should:

• Develop a strategy, not just a content calendar

• Create platform-specific content tailored to your audience

• Bring original, on-brand ideas to the table

• Track KPIs that ladder up to business goals

• Understand paid media and organic growth

• Collaborate with your team (not work in a silo)

  
  

It’s not just about posting pretty pictures. It’s about translating your brand into a digital experience that builds recognition, trust, and momentum.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

Here’s what to avoid when evaluating agencies:

• They promise to “go viral” or prioritize vanity metrics

• They can’t explain their strategy beyond “posting consistently”

• They rely too heavily on AI content or cookie-cutter templates

• They don’t ask about your business goals, brand voice, or buyer journey

• They only show you surface-level reports (impressions, likes, etc.)

  
  

At the end of the day, you’re not hiring a social media scheduler. You’re hiring a brand steward, a growth partner, and a digital strategist rolled into one.

What It Looks Like in Action

We once onboarded a luxury wellness client who was outsourcing social media to a freelancer. The brand looked generic, engagement was flat, and worst of all — no one was converting.

Within three months of partnering with Fifth & Cor, we rebranded their digital presence, integrated storytelling, introduced influencer partnerships, and launched conversion-optimized ads. The result?

• 280% increase in engagement

• 62% increase in website traffic from social

• 3x return on paid social campaigns

  
  

Why? Because we weren’t just “managing” their social media. We were aligning it with the brand’s broader growth strategy.

Choosing the Right Agency for You

Here’s your cheat sheet when outsourcing social media:

1. Review Their Work: Ask for real client results, not just aesthetic feeds. Look for consistency, tone, and engagement.

2. Ask the Right Questions: How do you tailor strategy by platform? What role does paid media play in your approach? How do you measure ROI for clients like us?

3. Prioritize Chemistry and Communication: You’ll be working closely—make sure they understand your brand and can communicate clearly, consistently, and proactively.

4. Look for Full-Service Value: Social media doesn’t live in a vacuum. Look for an agency that understands content creation, web, paid media, and PR — because everything is connected now.

Final Thought: It’s Not About Delegating—It’s About Leveling Up

If you’re thinking about outsourcing social media, remember this: your brand deserves more than filler content and missed opportunities. You deserve a digital partner who sees the big picture—and knows how to make it happen.

Let’s build something your audience wants to be part of. Book a discovery call with Fifth & Cor today.