Table of Contents
Why Outsource Social Media Management?
What to Look For In A Social Media Management Agency
Matching Business Goals with Agency Know-how
Conclusion
FAQ
Whether you’re a savvy social media marketer or a business owner and reluctant social media account owner, in today's fast-paced digital landscape, it can feel as though the online goal posts are forever shifting. From algorithms that relentlessly update to audiences that feverishly demand new and engaging content. Staying on top of it all can overwhelm businesses or simply prove too much for one person. Without the proper time and resources available, social feeds end up being neglected and content turns to contempt. That’s why some outsource social media media management. By partnering with the right agency, companies can free up time to focus on core activities while the experts handle their online presence, generating leads, upping brand awareness, and captivating new and untapped audiences. It’s win-win.
Born Social is a full-service digital marketing agency nearing a decade in the social media management game. When it comes to managing social media end-to-end, we’ve learnt a thing or two about the hurdles to overcome and keys to success for both parties. Below we delve into how outsourcing social media can transform your brand or business for the better. Plus, we cover what to consider when selecting the perfect agency for your brand or business.
Key takeaways:
1. How to Choose the Right Agency: Ensure the agency aligns with your values and business goals, with a proven track record of reliability and timely delivery. Look for experience in your industry.
2. The Benefits Of Outsourcing Social Media: Outsourcing boosts ROI through consistent engagement, targeted reach, and better conversions. A good agency ensures a steady flow of high-quality content, which social media algorithms reward.
3. Communication is Key: Success hinges on clear communication. Set realistic goals, schedule regular check-ins, and adjust strategies as needed to stay aligned and navigate challenges effectively.
4. Red Flags: Avoid agencies that skip thorough onboarding or make unrealistic promises. Transparency is vital. Choose an agency that keeps you informed about both successes and setbacks.
Why Outsource Social Media Management?
Social media outsourcing can be a game-changer for businesses looking to grow online as well as in bricks and mortar stores. It’s not uncommon to juggle social media in-house during your early days, but as consumer expectations grow, your business builds momentum, and your personal workload swells, dedicated expertise becomes the best course of action. Here’s why:
1. Expertise and Insights
The best social media agencies bring with them a suite of specialised knowledge ranging from platform best practices, consumer behaviour and psychology, creativity and advertising prowess. With an unwavering focus on the space, it’s easier to stay updated with trends, algorithm changes, and engagement, enabling them to make fully informed decisions when creating tailored strategies and content. Additionally, a professional agency eliminates the guesswork. By using data analytics, they can monitor and quantify success, rejigging and updating strategies along the way to achieve your goals.
As Matthew Creswick from HubSpot notes , "Outsourcing connects you with marketing agencies who specialize in keeping on-top of new technology and trends. These professionals can offer an outsider's perspective of your business and bring new, exciting ideas and strategies to the table." This outside perspective can inject your campaigns with fresh, innovative ideas that might be missed by an in-house team.
2. Cost Efficiency
The bottom line is that outsourcing social media is often more cost-effective than hiring a full in-house team. At Born Social, for example, our team and range of expertise are vast, allowing our clients to access professional photographers, designers, content creators, account managers, ad and SEO specialists, and more. The cost to outsource social media management covers a range of services from strategy and content creation to execution, meaning you save on time and money by avoiding hiring, training, and tool subscription costs. For small businesses or startups, this means getting high-quality service, while skipping the teething period, and forgoing the overheads.
3. Scalability and Flexibility
As your business develops, so too do your social media needs. Outsourcing social media provides the flexibility to scale up or down as required. If you need extra help during a product launch or a crucial campaign, agencies can adapt their services to match. Similarly, seasonal industries or more nuanced fluctuations in various industries can also be catered to.
According to Influencer Marketing Hub, a staggering 5.17 billion people worldwide engage with social media platforms. The utility of these platforms extends beyond social interactions, as evidenced by a 43% increase in usage for discovering new products, 42% for researching them, and 36% for making purchases. This shift underscores the growing importance of social media in the consumer decision-making process.
What to Look For In A Social Media Management Agency
We all want a Cinderella story for our social media marketing and that’s because an agency that’s the perfect fit can be transformative. Selecting the right partnership is key to successfully outsourcing your social media marketing. But how do you know you’ve found the one and get your happily ever after?
1. Experience and Expertise
The proof is in the performance. An agency’s portfolio and case studies speak volumes. Look for a solid track record in managing social media for businesses similar to yours - check out Google reviews. Ask important questions like do they specialise in your industry? Have they successfully executed campaigns across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn?
2. Alignment with Business Goals
A great social media agency understands your business’s unique needs and objectives. They should propose strategies that align with your goals, whether it's increased sales, brand awareness, lead generation, or community engagement. Only once you’re both on the same page can you begin to move forward. Some agencies, like Born Social, take the time to develop unique brand books and creative style guidelines for each client giving them the opportunity to approve the creative direction and strategies before they’re launched.
3. Proactive Communication
Communication makes a world of difference. At the outset, a great digital marketing agency will want to agree on the best communication channels and times that suit both parties, then establish how and when you’ll receive regular updates, strategy reviews, and reporting. These are all key indicators of an agency that values partnership and has your best interests at heart.
4. Red Flags
Beware of agencies that promise the world - whether it's guaranteed growth in followers or regular viral content. Social media success takes time and careful planning. If an agency seems too good to be true, it likely is. Always ask for tangible examples of past performance. Reviewing testimonials, case studies and google reviews from liketype businesses and brands is a good start.
Matching Business Goals with Agency Know-how
Above we discussed how important goal alignment is for outsourcing to be successful. If your agency is unclear on direction or misunderstands business goals, this is a huge blocker to success and generally leads to wasted resources and frustration. Here’s how to ensure that never happens:
How to Ensure Goal Alignment
1. Clarify Your Objectives
Before engaging with an agency, be clear about what you want to achieve. Whether it’s increased website traffic, brand awareness, or lead generation, having well-defined goals will guide the agency’s strategy.
2. Understand Their Methodology
Each agency has a unique approach to social media management. Some may focus heavily on data and analytics, while others may prioritise creative content. Ask them to show their working and break down their processes for you: how do they devise their strategies, content creation, and engagement? Does this suit you and your goals?
3. Set Expectations
Setting clear expectations and scope for the work included is crucial. If you’ve signed up to a particular package, you want to know how frequent photoshoots or content creation sessions are, the number of posts included and the related engagement, plus reporting intervals. This helps both parties stay on track and ensures accountability. Keep the conversation open so you can adjust strategies as needed.
Making the Decision
Once you’ve vetted potential agencies, you might still be splitting hairs between a few providers. How do you make the final decision?
1. Cultural Fit
An agency that understands your brand's voice and culture will be easier to collaborate with in the long term. Pay attention to how well they listen and respond to your needs and whether their values align with your company’s.
2. Budget Considerations
While cost is important, it shouldn’t be the only factor in your decision. Consider the value an agency brings through expertise, tools, and scalability. Keep in mind, value tends to be exponential meaning the lower tier packages will not give anywhere near the ROI of their higher tier counterparts. It can be worth investing more in an agency with a robust track record to see long-term returns on your social media marketing.
3. Trial Period
It’s always a good idea to try before you buy. A probationary period can alleviate any stress or doubts you might have about the benefits before locking into a long-term contract. Plus if you’re starting with a short-term contract or trial project you’re able to see if the agency delivers on its promises. Use this time to assess their communication, creativity, and ability to meet deadlines.
Conclusion
There you have it, outsourcing social media management is an economical and sustainable way to grow your brand’s presence online and irl. Not only that, it also frees up time and resources for you to focus on your core business. When you’re on the search for the best social media management agency consider cultural fit, cost, and track record. With the right team in your corner, your social media strategy can go from a mystifying challenge to a key driver of business.
FAQs
How can outsourcing social media impact my business?
Outsourcing allows you to leverage professional expertise, freeing up time and resources to focus on your core business activities. It leads to improved brand visibility, audience engagement, and ROI.
What is the typical ROI when outsourcing social media?
ROI can vary depending on your goals, but companies often see significant growth in engagement, brand awareness, and conversions. A good agency will provide data-backed results to showcase improvements over time.
How do I measure the effectiveness of a social media agency?
Regular reporting on key metrics like engagement, follower growth, website traffic, and conversions will help measure success. A strong agency will also adjust strategies based on performance data to ensure continuous improvement.
Can I switch agencies if my goals are not being met?
Yes, you can. It’s essential to regularly review your agency’s performance and communicate any concerns. If necessary, switching agencies can help you find a better strategic fit.