If you’re going to bring traffic to your site you’re going to need to hire a social media marketing firm. Keep reading to find out how to find a good one.
Almost 40% of social media users follow their favorite brands. Meanwhile, one in four users follow brands they’ll likely make a purchase from. If you’re not staying social, you’re missing out on potential sales!
Navigating the numerous social media platforms available can get tricky. Besides, you have a business to run. By hiring a social media marketing firm, you can save yourself time and effort.
At the same time, you can ensure a professional team is helping to boost your conversions and ROI.
Ready to start your search? Here are 10 tips to help you find an experienced social media marketing firm. With these tips, you can step up sales and succeed in 2020.
Start your search with these 10 tips.
1. Make Sure They Learn Your Objectives
First, you want to make sure you find a social media marketing agency that understands your company’s goals. If they don’t care about your objectives, they won’t make the effort to help you achieve them.
Some agencies will only list their services as generic solutions for every business and industry. Instead of choosing these agencies, look for a company that cares about your unique business. Your social media marketing strategy should consider your company’s unique values and target audience.
If the strategy isn’t custom-tailored to your business, how will you succeed?
Instead of rattling off a list of social media tactics, the agency should consider your goals. Then, they should align those goals with the tactics most likely to help you succeed.
If the marketing firm is comfortable offering services without learning about your business, look elsewhere. These agencies aren’t interested in your best interests. Instead, they’re only looking to make a sale.
If a social media agency asks questions through a survey or questionnaire, on the other hand, keep them in mind.
2. Determine Their Specialty
Does the agency identify as a social media marketing agency or a digital marketing agency? In other words, what’s their specialty?
A digital marketing agency offers a number of services in addition to social media marketing. They can help tie your social media strategy into other strategies that can benefit your business. However, they might lack specialized expertise regarding all social media strategies.
A social media marketing firm, on the other hand, will help with your social media management and advertising. If you want to focus on social media alone, they’ll have the experience and knowledge you need.
While you’re at it, ask what other services they offer. You might find you need help with more than your social media. For example, if you plan on a social media advertising campaign, you might need to update the landing pages on your website first.
3. Explore Case Studies
Don’t believe a social media marketing firm at their word. Instead, review their case studies. Ask for links to the social media campaigns they’re currently managing for their clients.
If they can’t provide you with case studies, they might lack the experience they need.
Pay attention to the results. Are they actually helping their clients? If not, look for a company that’s succeeding in its efforts.
4. Mention Metrics
How is the agency measuring the success of their social media campaigns? The agency should measure their results using key performance indicators. They should review the data on a regular basis in order to make improvements as needed.
These metrics can include:
- Reach
- Impressions
- Clicks
- Conversions
- Clickthrough rate
- Conversion rate
- Engagement (likes, comments, shares)
They’ll also measure how many followers you’re gaining from your campaigns. Before hiring an agency, make sure they have a plan to reach specific metrics. Then, you’ll know they’re eager to accomplish your goals.
5. Check Previous Experience
Has the agency worked with a company in your industry before? Have they partnered with a similar business in the past? If so, they might have relevant experience that can benefit your business.
A company with previous experience in your industry is likely a better fit for your efforts.
6. Consider Strategic Direction
Make sure the marketing agency will help you create a thorough social media marketing plan. Ask how they intend on creating, executing, and modifying their strategy.
What will they do if the plan doesn’t work? Will they offer you a free cancellation or consider a new strategy?
Ask if the social media marketing firm is keeping up-to-date with the latest trends, too. Here are a few social media trends to consider for success in 2020:
- Messenger chatbots that deliver constant support
- Influencer marketing to boost brand awareness and credibility
- Ephemeral content to increase the fear of missing out and engagement
- Social media listening to better understand your customers
- Live video and video content to connect with customers
- Social media advertising to showcase your products
- Groups to increase marketing reach
- Social media stories to show brand authenticity
- B2B social selling to increase your ROI
Video content can more than double your website traffic. Meanwhile, customers spend 69% of their media time on a smartphone. By adding these tactics to your social media marketing strategy, you can reach more followers before converting them into paying customers.
7. Make a Plan to Communicate
Ask how often the firm intends on communicating with you? It’s not enough to receive a monthly report over email. Instead, they should prioritize consistent communication.
A firm that keeps in contact with you will prioritize your progress and goals for the long-term.
8. Check Their Schedule
Make sure the company isn’t too busy to handle your needs. If they’re understaffed or overworked, they might not produce quality work for your campaigns.
Ask how many clients they’re currently managing to determine their current workload.
9. Make Sure the Price is Right
Before you decide to work with a social media marketing agency, check their prices. If you have a limited budget, you might feel inclined to choose an agency with the lowest price. However, that low price might mean you won’t receive the best results.
Remember, you’re likely to get what you pay for.
10. Request References
Finally, make sure to ask for references from current or previous clients. If the agency doesn’t want to provide these references, consider it a red flag.
When you talk to these clients, ask about their experience working with the firm. You can also check for reviews online. These references will help you build a clearer picture of what it’s like to work with the agency.
Get Social: 10 Tips for Finding an Experienced Social Media Marketing Firm
Ready to get social and start building an effective social media marketing plan? With these 10 tips, you can find an experienced social media marketing firm that’s ready to boost your business!
Want to make sure you’re making the most of your budget? Explore the Money section of the blog today!
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