As a modern business, you’re aware of the power of social media and the effect your social media strategies can have on your brand and your profits. It’s incredibly important for businesses to have an online presence and to engage in many different types of social media.
But if you’re not extremely Internet-savvy or hip to all the social media trends, and because you’re busy managing your company, it’s often a good idea to hire an outside firm to help you. Social media consultants can reinvent your business online.
But because social media is such a relatively new industry, there are many people that claim to be experts when their skill levels are questionable. And there are also so many types of social media campaigns and services that it can be hard to know what’s right for your business. Here are some tips to help you select a social media consultant.
Experience
While social media has taken off in recent years, it has been around for quite some time. You want a consultant who has at least a few years in the business. The longer a consultant has been involved in the Internet, the better. Find out all the relevant experience a consultant has before you hire them. You’ll want to know who their clients are and what types of projects they’ve done. They should also be well-versed in a variety of different skills, such as writing and designing.
Success
Having experience is not enough. You also want a consultant who has success. Success in social media can be extremely hard to judge, so you should take an independent look at their work. Find out what they did for their clients, and check out the work yourself. Are the pages or campaigns they’ve designed something you envision for your business? Do the companies they’ve worked for in the past seem to be benefiting from and exhibiting the kind of social media presence you hope for?
Personality
You need a social media consultant you can talk to and work with. Their personality is very important in that it has to mesh with yours. If you’re not very knowledgeable on social media, look for a consultant who is willing to spend however long it takes to discuss and explain things. Also, it’s incredibly important to find a consultant who makes the effort to get to know you and your company. They need a clear understanding of your company in order to design a relevant campaign.
Price
Prices for social media consulting tend to vary wildly, so carefully consider the charges of any social media consultant. Do some comparison shopping for the same services, and take a very close look at what you’re buying. Unless you’re contracting someone to maintain your social media pages on a regular basis, such as sending out Tweets or putting up Facebook posts a few times per week, or to run a specific and lasting campaign, it shouldn’t cost you a monthly fee. If you just want a consultant to evaluable your current social media, look for a consultant who charges a one-time evaluation fee.
Terry Ford helps small businesses master technology. She always checks her writing for errors with the best grammar checker on the web. Terry also consults in the field of social customer service.
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