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10 Best Online Community Managers for Hire to Enhance Your Market Audience

Improve customer retention, increase brand recognition, and expand your target ausience with a professional online community manager.

Dyllan Hopewell
By Dyllan Hopewell
Janet Barben editor profile photo
Edited by Janet Barben

Updated January 16, 2024.

A woman working on her laptop at a coffee shop.

Struggling to connect with your target audience online? Watching engagement dwindle and follower counts stagnate? Consider hiring a skilled online community manager. These strategic communicators can breathe life into your social media presence, fostering a dedicated and engaged community that amplifies your brand and drives market growth.

Hiring the right community manager isn't just about boosting follower numbers; it's about investing in a dynamic partnership that unlocks tangible business results. Here are 10 of the best online community managers for you to consider.

Our top picks for the best brand strategists

1. Ben D.- Best overall

2. Ashna R.- Best for CRO-focused brand engagement

3. Andrey S.- Best for development in community management

4. Gary E.- Best for engagement on PPC campaigns

5. Matthew S.- Best for digital branding with paid ads

6. Michael M.- Best for creative online community management

7. Ben F.- Best for community management in sports and fitness

8. Bogdan S.- Best for cross-channel community management

9. Jessica B.- Best for connecting communities with influencers

10. Jon W.- Best for community management with startups



What is community management?

In marketing, community management is a specialized branch dedicated to cultivating and enhancing a brand's connection with its target audience. A community manager assumes the vital role of establishing and nurturing relationships with customers, comprehending their needs, addressing feedback, and actively involving them in discussions related to the business.

Best overall

1


Exceptional
10
Ben D Icon

Ben D.

Innovative online community manager

Expirience

15+ years


Country

USA


Industry focus

Style and fashion, technology, travel

Ben, an entrepreneur with a passion for building and scaling technology products, has played pivotal roles in co-founding and investing in diverse ventures spanning eCommerce, marketing, and social networking.

  • Brand strategies
  • Market strategies
  • PPC
  • Email marketing
  • Tracking implementation

Ben has a proven track record of exponentially increasing online engagement and revenue for major brands. He steers companies towards digital innovation, leveraging his marketing talents to propel their online community growth.

Best for CRO-focused brand engagement

2


Outstanding
9.9
Ashna R. icon

Ashna R.

Online engagement strategist

Expirience

5+ years


Country

USA


Industry focus

Beauty, food & drink, health & wellness, technology

Ashna developed a profound interest in applying CRO strategies to user experiences that vary from on-site experiences to brand experiences, largely as CRO has become a larger framework and guiding principle.

  • Branding
  • CRO
  • eCommerce

Ashna specializes in boosting customer lifetime value across digital channels. She aligns brands with their ideal audiences, increasing community retention by over 35%.

Best for development in community management

3


Outstanding
9.8
Andrey S. icon

Andrey S.

Online community manager

Expirience

15+ years


Country

Russia


Industry focus

Education, finance, real estate, sports, outdoors and fitness

Andrey collaborates with prominent global clients, ranging from top-tier universities and Premier League football clubs to property development companies and world-scale sporting events in their quest for branding greatness.

  • Branding
  • Web development
  • Tracking implementation
  • Digital marketing
  • CRO

Andrey excels at leading online community development for prominent global clients. Blending superior user experience with high performance, he crafts exceptional branded digital experiences that achieve unique business goals.

Best for engagement on PPC campaigns

4


Outstanding
9.7
Gary E Icon

Gary E.

Brand strategist freelancer

Expirience

9+ years


Country

United Kingdom


Industry focus

Automotive, electronics, finance, professional service

Gary is an experienced marketing executive with a strong history of using diverse digital technologies to achieve top results for his clients, their online communities, and their branding goals.

  • Freelance brand strategist
  • eCommerce
  • Email marketing
  • PPC
  • Social media marketing

Gary's expertise in SEO, social media, UX, and analytics makes him adept at growing online communities and kickstarting digital marketing success. His skills accelerate brand growth through data-driven online strategies.

Best for digital branding with paid ads

5


Outstanding
9.6
Matthew S. icon

Matthew S.

Digital marketing and branding expert

Expirience

10+ years


Country

USA


Industry focus

Art & entertainment, electronics, home & garden, professional services

Matthew is a skilled digital marketing expert with over 10 years of proficiency in online engagement, Google and Bing paid ads, social media advertising on platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn, email marketing, eCommerce, and brand strategy.

  • Brand development strategies
  • Computers, laptops, and accessories
  • Home improvement
  • Events and attractions

Matthew has years of experience building online communities for major and emerging brands. His creativity and digital marketing knowledge create winning community engagement and retention strategies.

Best for creative online community management

6


Outstanding
9.5
Michael M Icon

Michael M.

Creative brand marketer

Expirience

10+ years


Country

Israel


Industry focus

Professional services, electronics

Michael successfully transitioned into brand marketing and digital ads from his former career, skillfully merging his administrative background with knowledge in content creation.

  • Brand building
  • Amazon marketing and content
  • Social media marketing

Michael combines his creative flair with online marketing experience. His skills in digital advertising and community building craft strategies that captivate and expand brand communities.

Best for community management in sports and fitness

7


Outstanding
9.4
Ben F. icon

Ben F.

eCommerce brand builder

Expirience

5+ years


Country

USA


Industry focus

Sports, outdoors & fitness

Ben, an online community manager, marketer, and project manager, is a dedicated professional with a passion for boosting revenue. Specializing in assisting eCommerce stores, he excels in optimizing conversions, average order value, and customer lifetime value.

  • Content management
  • Brand building
  • CRO
  • Copywriting
  • Marketing strategies

Ben guides companies to become data-driven, executing profit-boosting actions that establish brands within online communities. His expertise enables substantial community growth and revenue.

Best for cross-channel community management

8


Outstanding
9.3
Bogdan S. icon

Bogdan S.

Brand strategist

Expirience

10+ years


Country

Romania


Industry focus

Art & entertainment, education, nonprofit & government, professional services, sports, outdoors & fitness, travel

With over a decade of expertise in digital marketing spanning various industries, Bogdan is a seasoned brand-building professional and online community strategist.

  • PPC
  • Branding
  • SMM
  • Marketing strategies

Bogdan brings over a decade of experience driving digital marketing and online community building for diverse industries. His expansive knowledge empowers impactful community growth through data-led online strategies.

Best for connecting communities with influencers

9


Outstanding
9.2
Jessica B icon

Jessica B.

Brand strategist and influencer marketer

Expirience

5+ years


Country

USA


Industry focus

Art & entertainment, baby, beauty, electronics, finance, food & drink, gaming, health & wellness, home & garden, social & community, technology

Having spearheaded the launch of an influencer marketing channel at a prominent media agency, Jessica has a comprehensive skill set encompassing strategy development, planning, and detailed campaign reporting.

  • Influencer marketing
  • Branding
  • Content writing
  • Photography

Jessica has successfully grown online communities for major retail and commerce brands. Her expertise achieves press coverage and community expansion, engaging millions worldwide.

Best for community management with startups

10


Outstanding
9.1
Jon W icon

Jon W.

Results-driven marketing specialist

Expirience

15+ years


Country

UK


Industry focus

Beauty, finance, health & wellness, nonprofit & government

Jon is a results-driven growth marketing specialist with over 15 years of experience, specializing in scaling digital advertising for acquisition, particularly for start-ups and key growth-phase eCommerce brands.

  • Brand strategy
  • PPC marketing
  • Tracking implementation
  • Analytics

Through social ads and email funnels, Jon has achieved tremendous revenue and community growth. His skills drive community retention, boosting revenue and engagement.



Community management vs. social media management

Community management and social media management share common ground, involving the oversight of customer relationships, participation in conversations, and sharing of messages. Both operate mainly on social media, such as building a community on platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn.

However, there are some key differences between the two:

  • Community management centers on nurturing relationships and fostering a sense of community among customers. In contrast, social media management is primarily concerned with brand promotion.
  • Community management extends beyond social media platforms, encompassing forums, comment sections, message boards, Slack channels, Discord servers, and more.
  • Community management leans towards a less sales-oriented approach compared to social media advertising. While both aim to generate content and engagement, social media may subtly integrate brand mentions. Community management is more transparent, openly promoting or discussing products with the community.
  • Community managers focus on the relational aspects, whereas social media marketers engage in diverse tasks, including running ad campaigns, collecting user-generated content, executing social media marketing plans, and more.

What are some considerations for hiring an online community manager?

  • Understanding of your brand and industry: Deep knowledge of your brand and audience fuels authentic engagement.
  • Communication skills: Clear and compelling communication builds positive relationships and conveys your brand message effectively.
  • Experience in community building: Proven track record in establishing and nurturing online communities shows their engagement expertise.
  • Customer-centric mindset: Empathy and responsiveness create an inclusive environment that resonates with your audience.
  • Adaptability and tech-savviness: Staying ahead of trends and embracing change ensures effective community management in the digital landscape.
  • Problem-solving skills: Calm and diplomatic resolution of challenges maintains a positive community atmosphere.
  • Analytics and metrics understanding: Data-driven insights optimize engagement strategies and measure community success.
  • Collaboration and teamwork: Seamless integration with internal teams amplifies community impact and aligns with broader goals.
  • Innovative and creative thinking: Fresh ideas and engaging content keep the community vibrant and thriving.

Get the best online community manager for your brand

Elevate your online presence and foster meaningful connections with your audience with an online community manager. The benefits are abundant, from building brand loyalty and amplifying engagement to navigating the fast-growing marketing domain.

For a seamless and expertly guided hiring experience, Mayple connects businesses with skilled professionals, ensuring a tailored match for your unique requirements. With our expertise, finding the perfect online community manager becomes not just a process, but a strategic investment in the growth and vitality of your brand's online community.



Community Management FAQs

Can community management be done on different social media platforms?

Community management can be done on different social media platforms. It involves monitoring conversations across all your social platforms, engaging with your audience, responding to messages and feedback, and gauging their overall sentiment about your brand.

Can community management help me increase customer engagement and loyalty?

Yes, community management can help you boost customer engagement and loyalty. Essentially, it's all about learning about your customers: what they want, what they expect, and what they need - both from your product and from your marketing strategy, customer support, and so on.

Community management helps you build one-on-one and one-to-many relationships between members and your brand - and thus makes them feel closer and more loyal to your business.

How do you find a good community manager?

One of the easiest ways to hire a good community manager is by sourcing them on Mayple. We only work with vetted experts who have a proven track record of success, and we'll match you with the right one within days.

How do you get online community members?

One of the best ways to get online community members is by asking your existing ones to be honest, seeing how your value proposition sounds to them and how much they resonate with what you offer. Listen to your existing members' feedback carefully - this will guide your steps on where to find new members (and how to get their attention.)