When To Outsource Your Social Media Management

By Kristina Cisnero

Social media increasingly shapes how your company is perceived, so the decision to manage it internally or to outsource it should be weighed carefully. As it becomes a more prevalent part of your marketing strategy and a bigger constraint on resources, consider the following pros and cons in deciding if outsourcing your social media management is right for your business.

The Cons of Outsourcing Your Social Media Management

1) Losing Authenticity

Your business has a certain voice and style that is not always easy to mimic. When you give the control to someone who isn’t invested in your company, you risk losing that authenticity.

2) Slower Response Rate

When you outsource your social media, you create a wall between yourself and your audience. If someone has a question for you or a serious concern arises from a customer, they have to go through your agency or consultant and then to you to handle their concern.

3) Another Layer of Complexity

Outsourcing your social media management adds a layer between your other marketing efforts and your social accounts, which can make the planning and execution of campaigns more difficult. Not only can this slow you down but this can cause your marketing strategy to not meet your objectives.

The Pros of Outsourcing your Social Media Management

1) More Time For Your Business

One of the most obvious advantages of outsourcing your social media management is the time it saves you. These extra minutes can add up, especially for small business owners who are involved in all aspects of their company.

2) Valuable Expertise

The expertise you can get from a marketing professional or social media consultant is invaluable. By working with a consultant or agency you get access to their knowledge and expertise about social media marketing which you can apply to your business.

3) The Fastest Way to Grow Your Team

If you’re a small business and you don’t have the capacity to manage your own social media, outsourcing provides you with instant access to manpower. The best part is you can still stay in the loop with a tool like HootSuite, which allows agencies and business to collaborate.

Should You Outsource Your Social Media Management?

If you don’t have the time or resources to handle your company’s social media, outsourcing may be the solution for you. However, before going down that route there are other time saving options such as using a social media management tool to help with your social media efforts.

On the other hand, turning to an agency ensures that someone is paying attention to your social accounts and your audience. But if you have the time, no one will be able to manage your social media persona as well as you. It’s a rewarding experience connecting with such a wide audience on a one-to-one level. If you have the resources, it’s not something you will want to hand off.

The right solution for your business might be a combination of both internal and external social media management. Analyze your current social presence and see if you can find the balance you need to excel.