Outsourcing Social Media

If you’re a fan of the Guardian you might have read their blog yesterday questioning whether small businesses should outsource their social media. A reasonable question for any SME thinking about the future of their social media however, although asking the question, the Guardian failed to really answer it.

So what did the Guardian think? Well, to summarise, they believe that large companies should employ a full-time social media person, which is rather sensible, and SMEs should consider outsourcing but be a tad wary. Not the most informative to its readers, no?

So where do companies stand when it comes to social media? Organisations like Tesco, McDonalds or O2 will receive hundreds (if not more) enquires and complaints over Facebook and Twitter every day, which is why they need a team of people dedicated to their social media. When it comes to small or medium businesses you need to revaluate why your business is looking for social media. The likelihood is that, unlike Tesco, you won’t be receiving hundreds of complaints every day. Tesco have built a massive following already, their social media is there to maintain this following.

For smaller businesses social media is a tool to connect and target new customers and this is something which takes time, effort and a good whack of insider knowledge. Sure, anyone can follow someone on Twitter but do you have the time to sit and engage with them about their breakfast? Probably not.

Outsourcing your social media is like employing someone dedicated to not only live your business but to also care about your customer’s everyday lives – for a fraction of the price of employing a dedicated social media assistant.

Social media is changing constantly with new rules and new sites springing up every month. If you don’t have a business dedicated to advising you about your social media you could be left behind. Just over the past few months Pinterest has become a massive site for businesses. If you don’t have your finger on the social media pulse you might miss out on much needed business. By outsourcing to experts you’ll always be ahead of the game.

So what’s the catch? People will say that by outsourcing your social media you are putting your business in the hands of strangers who know nothing about your company. But think, what happens when you employ someone new? You tell them about your business. Outbox4 spend a lot of time with our social media clients finding everything out about your business – by employing us, Outbox4 are practically married to your business. We become an expert in your field and we are always in contact to ensure we have the latest news and offers.

Outbox4 build strategies, create targets and pull your business into the world of social media leaving you to concentrate on the important stuff.