In most industries, to market your business successfully, you need to be on social media. But what does that actually involve? Well its actually quite a long list. You need to create a content strategy, align your strategy with your products and services, create graphics, write captions, answer questions and comments, engage with your audience, and post consistently. If you’ve ever tried to do all this yourself, you know it takes a lot of time. It turns out, social media management is a full-time job.
This is where a social media manager comes in. Someone you can delegate to be in charge of representing your business across your social media channels. With clear goals like increasing website traffic or improving brand awareness, social media managers grow your business through social networks such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. They respond to comments, compile campaigns and create content. They can also provide guidance on how to enhance your online presence. A decade ago, this role was non-existent, but now, most companies embrace social media for customer acquisition and social media management has become essential. But how does it all actually work?
Below we’ve outlined some common questions we get from prospective clients about social media management.
1. Can you take care of my social media for me?
Absolutely yes! We are qualified marketers and can oversee the management of consistent and engaging Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts. First we develop your social media marketing strategy, because it’s not just about pretty pictures and likes – you want real results and customers, right?! You may or may not already have social media profiles set up. We will either create them for you, or give them a facelift to ensure they are set up optimally. We then recommend a management package based on how many posts a week is beneficial for your brand, your audience, and your goals. However many posts per week you choose, these are planned, created and scheduled to automatically publish on a consistent schedule. We also monitor your accounts and perform any maintenance needed to keep things running smoothly. We speak to your audience in your brand voice. Your customers will be none the wiser that we are behind the scenes running the show, giving you back you precious time to focus on actually running your business.
2. What is the importance of my business having social media?
Social media allows you to interact with your customers and share information in real time. You can use social media to reach your customers better, creating online networks to help you sell and promote your products and services.
A non-comprehensive list of all the things you can use social media for would include:
And the list goes on! By increasing social media followers and driving engagement on your socials, you expand your pool of potential customers, which is truly invaluable.
3. Do you monitor our social media channels at all hours of the day?
Social media is immediate and needs active daily monitoring. Even though your social accounts are generally scheduled well in advance, a social media manager should check in everyday to make sure your content is posting and engagement is good. Even when we’re off the clock, we’re always logged into your accounts so we can keep an eye on how things are going at all times.
4. How often will you post on social media?
As often as is beneficial to your business! Each business is unique and has different requirements and goals when it comes to social media. 2 posts per week may be perfect for those who want to increase their brand awareness and have a steady social presence. 3 posts may be more valuable for those who want to attract new customers and measure the impact of their social media marketing. You may want to take it up to 4 posts per week if you value consistent messaging across all platforms and want to get a better result with a more synergised social media marketing strategy. 5 posts and beyond will suit those who want to be active on social media daily and build the deepest connection with their audiences.
5. Do I need to provide you with any info or content or do you take control completely?
We just need your logins! You don’t need to go into your account and post unless you want to. Social media management services should be designed so that your social media accounts are taken care of while you get back to doing what you do best, running your business.
Once a month we have a chat about results and brainstorm any content that you would like to see on your socials for the next month. Then we go away and make a plan. Once that plan has your approval, we design and create your very own unique content, and schedule it with well-written captions and researched hashtags. We create templates that suit your brand, so your online presence is always consistent with your brand.
6. Do you monitor what my competitors are doing?
It’s important to know that your social media manager isn’t just scheduling posts, but is keeping an eye on your competitors and your industry as a whole. Seeing what works and doesn’t for your competitors can help you get to know your audience better and help you focus your social media efforts in a useful way.
7. How will I know if what you’re doing is working?
When you first engage the services of a social media manager, you should set objectives. Maybe you want a consistent online presence, or you want to increase brand awareness. It’s important to track your progress in areas such as followers, reach and engagement. Your social media manager should gather this data and provide reports to you so you always know how you’re tracking.
Social media managers give busy brands instant access to social audiences. As algorithms continue to change on a daily basis, it’s challenging for business owners to keep up. Social media managers are focussed on mastering the social space. They offer the dedicated skills and creative perspective that businesses need to thrive online. With a social media manager and the right tools, you’ll be able to outshine your competitors.
Written by: Rosie Lorimer / Inspired by: sproutsocial.com / image credits: Unsplash
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