Hiring a social media marketing agency for you business can feel like one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make as a business owner. Depending on which social media marketing agency you outsource to, you could be paying anywhere from a couple hundreds dollars a month to thousands of dollars a month. It all depends who you choose and what they’re doing for your business. Just because a particular agency has done wonders for your friend’s business doesn’t mean the same agency will do wonders for your business.
To help you make the best decisions possible, here are four questions that will help you team up with the best social media marketing agency:
Do you create the content or do I need to create the content?
This question is one you definitely need to ask. Not all social media agencies create the written and visual content you need to build your brand on social media. You need to ask the social media marketing agency you’re interested in working with if they have writing skills, photography skills, and design skills. Some agencies only schedule posts and might include customer service such as responding to comments, messages, and reviews. To save you time and money in the long run, partner with an agency who takes care of the creative side.
How do you bill for your work? Are you hourly or do you have a flat rate?
Understanding how a social media marketing agency gets paid will affect how you work with them. There are pros and cons to both arrangements. Be sure to set clear expectations as to what’s included in either billing option. Another route some marketing agencies may work with is commission-based marketing where they take a cut of your sales. Always ask questions and weigh the different options since you may end up paying significantly more for social media marketing than you originally thought you would.
Which social media platforms have you had the most success with?
Don’t hesitate to ask this question. Some agencies are better at Facebook marketing than Instagram marketing or Twitter marketing. It all depends on which industry your business is in, your target audience, and where the attention is captured in your industry. For example, you may want to go with a social media marketing agency who has had crazy success with Twitter if you sell tech solutions in the B2B space. However, Instagram marketing may be a better option if you’re a women’s boutique store for millennials. Knowing your market will help you understand which social media marketing agency is the best for you.
How accessible are you?
How much contact and communication do you want to have with a social media marketing agency? How much control are you wanting? If you’re wanting someone to stay connected all the time via Slack, texting, and emails, you should hire an employee. A contractor/agency may not be the best option for you.
At the same time, most agencies are accessible through the work day during traditional work hours. Not every business needs an emergency hotline of sorts but you should consider an agency who can be reached if any urgent changes are needed.
Hopefully this list of questions helps you feel more empowered as a key decision maker in your business! Finding the right partner to help you meet your marketing needs may take some time but is well worth the effort. Do you have any questions about social media marketing? Are you looking for Utah-based social media marketing agency? Jamias Creative may be a great fit for you and what you need. Email Josh at josh@jamiascreative.com with any questions you might have!