How to find a reliable social media manager?

Totally get this, the space is flooded with people who are great at selling themselves and not much else. A few things that have helped me spot the real ones: watch who asks questions, because a good one digs into your business, your customers, and what a win actually looks like (booked jobs, not vanity followers) before they ever pitch a package. Ask for results and not just a pretty portfolio, so 'show me a client you grew and what it did for their bookings' beats 'look how nice these posts are.' Start with a small paid test project before any long contract, one month with clear deliverables, because you'll learn more in 30 days than from any sales call. And look for someone who actually understands home service, not just restaurants and boutiques, since the buyer and the rhythm are different. One more route: if you'd ever rather build the skill in-house or train someone on your team, there are free resources for it. I help run a nonprofit called Creator Terminal that teaches digital media, including social, to small businesses and creators, so learning the basics yourself is a real path instead of gambling on another hire.