The Internet has produced a wealth of information and has expanded communication between groups of people that are worlds apart. A company is no longer required to serve only the local population, but can take its business to a global clientele thanks to the Internet. However, publicizing your business or brand is not as simple as it sounds. It takes more than just having a Facebook and Twitter account. It takes commitment and determination and the ability to go out there and promote yourself digitally. Fortunately, there are social media agencies that will take on this responsibility for businesses. However, not all social media agencies are created equal. Here are five things to know about your social media consultant before hiring him to promote your brand.
1. Your level of business experience.
Experience is often based on how long a person has been in business. However, if you’ve been in business with no clients, then your experience level is still not very good. Instead of just looking at their time in business, ask how many clients they have served. If applicable, see if you can read client testimonials to rate whether or not this particular consultant has satisfied clients. If they have more complaints than reviews, then you should find another consultant.
2. How much do you charge for your services?
How much they charge for their services may seem like the biggest question, but the number of satisfied customers is actually the most important. The following is how much they charge after determining that they are a reputable company. Since they are providing a service, you should ask how much the service itself costs, not an hourly rate. If they charge an hourly rate, you may want to find a different consultant because they might take their time promoting you as they know they are paid by the hour. A fixed rate price will ensure that you get the most for your money.
3. How will you promote your business?
Some companies may not want to reveal their secrets for fear that if you knew how to do what they do, you would no longer need them. However, your reasons for hiring a social media consultant should not be because you don’t know what to do, but rather because you don’t have the time to do it. They should be able to tell you which media they will use to promote your brand, how many posts they intend to do daily on your behalf, etc.