So you’re ready to take your brand’s social media to the next level and you know this will require you to work with a social media manager—SMM. But you are not sure where to start or what to look for.

These are 5 things you to consider on your search:

️Partnership

Look for someone you feel aligned with and can see yourself working with regularly. A good SMM will be your business partner and will need to fully understand your industry, your brand, and its goals. They will also become your voice on your platforms, therefore you’ll want to find someone you are confident in to represent your brand.

️Reasonable Expectations

A responsible SMM will be upfront about what they can and can’t do for you. And vice versa, you should be clear about your goals so they can let you know if they are attainable. Beware of anyone focusing on vanity metrics. A knowledgeable and experienced SMM will discuss key performance indicators unique to your business and goals. They will also be clear about your role in the success of social media efforts.

Strategy

A good SMM will focus on strategy and provide a clear one aimed at supporting your business goals. They will conduct thorough research of your industry, competitors, and ideal client to strategically position your brand on social media. They will meet regularly with you to discuss your business goals and challenges and create a content strategy to support all efforts.

Deliverables

Social media management deliverables can vary significantly. They can range from full account management, to content creation, to campaign development, etc. Things such as graphic design, photography, videography, and paid strategies are generally not provided under social media management, although certain providers may offer them. It’s important for business owners to understand exactly what they are getting when choosing to work with an SMM–a responsible one should provide clarity on this subject.

Investment

Strategic social media management is a valuable investment for your business. As stated above, deliverables may vary greatly, but even a standard social media management package requires a great deal of strategy and skill. While the industry is fairly new and pricing standards are not clear, you should expect to have a recurring budget for the service.

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Are you ready to work with a social media service provider? We specialize in elevating social media presence for female-led brands through consulting, content creation, and management plans. Learn more.