7 Reasons Why You Need Social Media Management Now

It’s a proven fact that social media marketing has become one – or maybe “the most”  important marketing tool influencing buying habits, company/brand visibility, and the size of the client/customer universe available to savvy marketeers today.

This news is NOT NEW!  For larger companies, social media marketing has been aggressively pursued for years – ever since Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn came into being.

WHO IS EFFECTIVELY USING SOCIAL MEDIA AS A MARKETING TOOL?

Small and mid-sized businesses have also gotten the word.  For those that have the resources (talented people who have the knowledge and skills) and the TIME they need to maintain a high degree of visibility, Social Media has proven itself time after time able to deliver new customers or influence existing customers.

For smaller companies, those who have only limited managerial resources and capital, social media is often the responsibility of the principal business executives/stakeholders if (?) they can find the time to do it.   Just finding the time to spend on social media marketing has become  one “the” biggest challenges faced by this business segment.  Too often, what happens is that a Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or company blog is established.  Then the responsible executive gets busy, or he/she is short-staffed and finds that other more pressing operational/business development or financial issues become more critical.

What happens then?  Social media marketing is left “hanging” – abandoned in reality – while the company deals with these challenges.   This is the same thing that happens with websites that haven’t been updated for years.

IS THERE AN ANSWER THAT WORKS?  Yes – the use of a SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT COMPANY such as www.ExcelSocialMedia.com

OK…… SPECIFICALLY WHAT CAN SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT DO FOR MY COMPANY?

1. Social Media Clean Up Crew – clean up your inbox or your direct messages that you may receive on Twitter or messages you receive on Facebook or LinkedIn. All too often your inbox can get cluttered with useless information, so we clean it up for you and only leave the important ones for you to view at your leisure. There are programs that can also be applied to simply the method but it is best to have a human eye determine what is spam and what may be important information. Too often the programs available can not distinguish between and automatic direct message from a ‘real’ message and will delete all of them.

2. Develop Systems – help develop internal social media management systems that will work for individual client companies. Some may need information researched.  A savvy company such as www.ExcelSocialMedia.com has  the ability to help with that aspect as well.

3. Status Updates – post pre-approved status updates to make it easier for the individual/ client.  Content is researched via blogs and articles that may pertain to their niche and post accordingly. Too often this is where the overwhelm can occur.  It is almost impossible to do all the research and maintain your business and we can help.

4. Application Investigation – The age of technology is ever changing and it can be difficult to keep up with the latest gadget that can help clients with their social media success.  This means that you – or a social media management company such as www.ExcelSocialManagement.com will need to investigate the different tools available that may apply to the different social medial outlets. Depending on the client’s business some may or may not work and instead of doing thetrial and error themselves, we can do it for them.

5. Determine the Best Platforms – The fast paced client may enjoy Twitter but will be missing out on a large avenue or potential on Facebook or LinkedIn.Your social media management company can monitor the client  profiles on the other outlets to help expand the exposure that is necessary in the online world. The same applies to the offline business that is trying to get more exposure online via the social media platforms.  The social media management company does all the digging and research so they don’t have to.

6. Social Media Support – The social media assistant is available to do pre-show interviews for future radio show or podcast guests. Soon after they will also help promote the different shows or events. This type of support is priceless and so very needed.

7. Transparency Maintenance – All too often individuals may feel that they are not being authentic if they are not answering all of the ‘tweets’ or messages on the different social media platforms. Let me stress that we do not post anything that the client has not already approved or sent to us in advance. A good social media management company would assume the responsibility to support the digital relationship and engagement that is necessary to succeed in the online world.In essence we as Social Media Managers will take all the headaches and overwhelm off of your shoulders.  The social media management company will partner with you and help you with all the technological aspects that you may or may not have time to learn.  Some will claim to have the knowledge of the technological part which is great, but they merely don’t have the necessary time to devote to social media. Instead of trying to do it all on your own, consider having a social media company such as www.excelsocialmedia.com help you. Any business person from any field can benefit from a Social Media Virtual Assistant. They can help you by taking on the burden of posting articles on your blog to researching content to be shared on the different social media platforms.

The point is to allow someone else to do the tedious work or the work that takes too much time away from your main focus.

The transparency part is not an issue, because again we will never post anything that is not pre-approved or given to us prior to posting. We merely make your life easier. Be sure to do your homework and research within your network first before hiring a Social Media Virtual Assistant. You want to be sure you are hiring a qualified individual and someone in your network may be aware of someone that can fit your criteria.

Most importantly remember to have fun on the different social media platforms. Reach out to people and share your business, your vision, your service or product. It does not have to be overwhelming but when that time comes, know that we are here to help you.

For further information, check out Excel Social Media’s Blog (http://www.excelsocialmedia.com) or contact Craig Stimmel directly @ cstimmel@spiainc.com or call Craig at (978) 640-0803.