OK, so you have a business. You advertise through the normal channels and occasionally you run a couple of Facebook ads. You've created social media accounts but you really don't have the skills to fully utilize the platforms, to fully get client interaction. You have heard of Social Media Managers and even thought about hiring one but you're not exactly sure what one is supposed to do.
First, let's get one thing straight…You do not employ your Social Media Manager, unless you wish to physically have one of your payroll.
Social Media Managers are employed by you as freelance. Many are entrepreneurs who have found their niche because they have made the difference for themselves first.
How do you choose one?
You search for one, check out people's recommendations, ask for references, compare prices and standards. You should check their social media presence too. A Social Media Manager should have a strong presence in their area of expertise.
Then choose the one that is the most compatible with you. You see it's not just about price, it's also about relationships. You and your Social Media Manager need to be able to form a close relationship. You will probably be chatting or messaging with this person daily. There has to be trust on your behalf as you are allowing this person to be your representative, not to mention that they will have access to your social media accounts. Accounts that, if handled correctly, will create a relationship between you and your clients.
Once you have decided who you would like to work with you, you then need to consider just what you want from your Social Media Manager.
There are basic services that will be on offer, such as
- Setting up Twitter Accounts and scheduling tweets
- Organizing your Facebook Fan/Business page, posting your updates, controlling spam, vetting friend requests and often replying to Facebook messages for you.
- Linkedin Account optimization is often offered, helping you fully utilize your account, adding SEO keywords, making sure that you are the first in searches
- Branding strategies are offered to make sure you get the most exposure for your time and efforts
They will also be flexible enough to offer personalized packages for you. Everyone is different and every business has slightly different needs. You need to discuss your needs with your potential Social Media Manager and then ask them to provide you with a quote for monthly or annual packages. Your strategy needs to be created.
There is no point in hiring somebody to look after your social media presence for a week, it's not going to work. In order to build a strong presence and a strong following you need to commit to your Social Media Manager for a minimum of three to six months. Trust and even friendships are being built and they don't happen overnight. Your customers want to feel valued and acknowledged which takes more than a week.
A Social Media Manager can help you create your Brand presence through social media, something that is extremely important nowadays. The quality of your brand will be reflected by your Social Media Manager, they will be courteous, polite and prompt in their replies if they are speaking directly to your clients.
There is plenty to consider when choosing a Social Media Manager but deciding whether or not you need one should not be an issue. If you are serious about your business then you will know that the way forward is online, and your clients are on social media talking about you already.
A Social Media Manager gives you the peace of mind knowing that your presence is being built and your brand promote by a professional who knows his/her way around the social media platforms. They cut your in-house training costs, as you don't need a staff member to learn the in and outs of social media. They are not employed by you meaning that they pay their own medical and other premiums. Most contracts are provided on a monthly basis so you don't have to worry about hiring someone and then working out how to fire them a few months down the line when you decide that your personalities clash after all. They provide you with a professional person who can take care of your social media obligations so leaving you to concentrate on doing what you do best, because let's be honest doing social media correctly is time-consuming.
It doesn't matter if you are a small business of one or a huge business of 100+ a Social Media Manager will help you grow. Creating brand loyalty for you, along with increased lead generation and ultimately sales.
A Social Media Manager, in this day and age, is paramount to helping your business move forward. The question is when will you take the plunge and join the thousands of other business owners who have found the stress free social media solution of a Social Media Manager?
About Tara Chatzakis ã‹¡Tara Chatzakis, Mompreneur, offering Social Media Marketing Management, Company Branding, Management Brand Consultancy and Website Assistance. Creating amazing relationships that make a difference and taking company branding to the next level. She is also a mother to three mermaids and enjoys reading, listening to rock music, margaritas and BBQ.
Contact Tara on talktome@tarachatzakis.com or visit her website at www.tarachatzakis.com
