Social media is a significant part of the online experience, with no signs of slowing down. According to the digital agency, We Are Social, over 1 million active new users join social media each day. Businesses who have not committed themselves to social media, therefore, risk losing a potential audience who are uncovering alternative companies across their preferred networks. While social media marketing can be performed internally, there are some excellent arguments for outsourcing to independent agencies.
Economies of Scale
You should be able to gain a cost advantage when working with a large agency. Because agencies won’t have to work with your business exclusively, they can cut costs for all their clients. From staff to software, outsourcing should see an efficiency that is difficult to achieve as a sole operation. Agencies will have also invested in the initial costs required to start a social media department, including tools and training.
Avoid PR Disasters
It is not uncommon for businesses or celebrities to suffer a PR disaster on social media. Most social platforms encourage frequent posting, with the potential for poorly considered posts. Outsourcing to a quality agency should ensure avoidance of these types of problems as your social team will be savvy and experienced.
Reputation Management
There may be a time, though, where your reputation does need improving. Some bad reviews, a negative post that goes viral, or a misjudged comment can all harm your reputation. An agency should be able to lessen any damage by using their knowledge, power, and influence to create a more positive spin.
Quick Response Time
Sites like Twitter and Facebook move quickly, with hashtags, viral stories, and news discussed immediately. If social media is not a priority, your business could miss the chance to gain publicity. Outsourcing means you will have individuals who pay close attention to opportunities, creating content that meets the demand as it arises.
The Best Software
You don’t need additional software to run social media accounts, but they can significantly improve operations. Quality software can streamline the content creation, posting, and promotional elements, helping you to work quickly. Additionally, analytics can be used to study exactly what is working and how to plan for the future. The best software is expensive, but agencies will have access to tools for all their clients.
Advertising Knowledge
You don’t need to invest in advertising, but it is far harder to gain traction if you don’t promote posts. Facebook, for example, is becoming more focused on advertising, hiding many unpromoted posts. You can, however, invest small amounts and make a profit on the results, but this does require optimized campaigns and careful tracking. Outsourcing to professionals ensures campaigns are monitored and tweaked to provide successful outcomes.
Social media needs to be taken seriously to gain any real benefits and content developed that finds the right audience and sees a high level of engagement. You may already have the expertise and resources within your business. However, many companies will realize the advantages of using an agency. As long as your return on investment is positive, outsourcing social media marketing can allow you to focus on the areas of your business that help you to prosper
