Why You Should Check the Social Media Output of Your Proposed Social Media Management Partner Before Engaging Them
Choosing a social media management partner is a critical decision for your business. Social media is an integral part of modern marketing, and the right management can boost your brand visibility, engagement, and sales. However, not all social media managers are created equal. Before you engage a social media management company, it’s essential to check their current social media output.
You might wonder: Why is this so important? In this blog, we will break down the reasons you should assess the social media output of your proposed partner and provide you with a step-by-step guide to making an informed decision.
1. Assessing Their Competence and Expertise
The most obvious reason to review a social media management company’s output is to evaluate their expertise. You want to ensure that they can walk the walk, not just talk the talk.
- Content Quality: Look at the type of content they are posting for their clients. Is it high-quality, engaging, and relevant? Poorly written posts, inconsistent branding, or unprofessional graphics may indicate a lack of attention to detail or expertise.
- Consistency: Social media success is often driven by consistency. Check how frequently they post and whether they maintain regular interaction with the audience. A management company that goes weeks without posting or engages in a sporadic pattern might not be reliable.
Tip: Take note of the businesses they represent and how their social media presence reflects the company’s values. Are they delivering tailored solutions, or are they relying on generic templates?
2. Understanding Their Strategy
Every social media company should have a strategy behind their posts. Reviewing their output gives insight into their approach and whether it aligns with your goals.
- Engagement Strategy: Look at how they engage with followers. Do they respond promptly to comments or inquiries? Engagement is key to building a community and fostering brand loyalty.
- Content Mix: A successful social media strategy typically includes a mix of promotional content, educational posts, and user engagement activities Does the management company understand this balance, or is their content overly sales-driven?
- Visual Branding: Are they consistent in the visual branding of the accounts they manage? Strong visual branding helps businesses stand out. Look at whether they use appropriate fonts, colours, and logos that align with the company they represent.
Action Step: Compare their strategies with your expectations. Are they providing a balanced approach, or does their style not match your brand voice?
3. Evaluating Their Creativity
Creativity is essential in social media. To keep audiences engaged, content needs to be fresh, appealing, and interactive.
- Innovation in Posts: Are they utilizing creative techniques, such as video content, infographics, or user-generated content? Static posts alone won’t stand out in today’s fast-paced social media world.
- Campaign Ideas: Do they launch effective campaigns or run innovative promotions? Check if they have done seasonal campaigns or partnered with influencers. This will give you an idea of their ability to design campaigns that generate buzz and interaction.
By analysing their creative approach, you’ll be able to determine if they have the spark needed to make your brand stand out.
4. Tracking Their Results
A good social media management company doesn’t just produce content; they track and optimize it for results. You should be able to see evidence of their success through the engagement metrics visible on public posts.
- Engagement Metrics: Check how many likes, comments, shares, or retweets their posts are generating. Low engagement might suggest that their content isn’t resonating with the audience, while high engagement is a sign that they know how to connect with followers.
- Growth of Followers: Has their work resulted in growth for their clients’ social media followings? While follower count isn’t everything, it can be an indicator of a growing and interested audience.
- Return on Investment (ROI): If you can find any case studies or testimonials on their website, this can provide insight into how their work has delivered measurable business results. Metrics like increased traffic, sales, or inquiries driven by social media are worth noting.
5. Seeing How They Handle Negative Feedback
Social media isn’t always smooth sailing, and sometimes businesses face negative feedback or complaints online. How a social media management company handles these moments is crucial.
- Crisis Management: Check if there are any examples of them responding to negative comments or managing a PR issue. Were they professional, calm, and helpful? The way they respond can protect or damage a brand’s reputation.
- Tone of Voice: Their approach to customer service and public relations online should be respectful and aligned with the brand they represent.
Pro Tip: A good social media partner will have a plan in place for managing negative comments or a social media crisis. Don’t hesitate to ask them how they handle these situations.
Before engaging any social media management company, it’s essential to check their current output. This will give you insight into their competence, creativity, and ability to deliver results that align with your business objectives. By following the steps outlined above, you’ll be able to make an informed decision and choose a partner who can help you grow your business through effective social media strategies.
Next Steps: Begin by reviewing the company’s social media accounts and work for other clients. Ask questions, request case studies, and ensure their style fits your brand before making any commitment.
We are happy to talk you through our ideas and or conduct a free Social Media review of your current activities before you commit to working with us.