So you’re ready to build up your brand’s social media presence – congratulations! This is an important step in establishing brand awareness and customer retention.
But how do you know you’ll outsource to the right partner? Whether you have done this before, or this is your first rodeo, we have gathered a list of expectations that you should have throughout the hiring process, from beginning to end.
Step 1: Gather your needs and budgets
It’s easy to get out there right away and start looking for recommendations, but until you know exactly what criteria you need (or don’t need) for your business, you’ll end up wasting a lot of time reading proposals and listening to pitches.
You’ll want to know your budget range for this partner, and you will want your budget to accurately reflect what your needs are. For example, if you are looking for a 2-platform strategy and execution, your cost will be significantly less than a 4-platform strategy and execution with video, influencer activation and media spend. I
Step 2: Do your research
You want to check in your network and for referrals for this position. If results are the most important factor of success for you, ask for someone who is results-focused. If it’s staying in your budget, ask for recommendations of someone who is $X or less.
This will help you weed out freelancers and firms who won’t meet your needs or budgets, leaving you with real contenders.
Step 3: Get to know your options
Most social media agencies and freelancers will immediately set up calls with you when you express interest. This is important — how they communicate in this phase will tell you a lot about how they will communicate in your working relationship. If you don’t hear back from them within 24 hours, or they are misspelling all over and disheveled in their emails, pass. Don’t waste your time here— your investment and your brand are too valuable.
Share your needs and budget with those in the running. If you are not comfortable sharing your budget, ask what price their services are. Partners with more sophisticated and customized offerings will give you a starting range, and those with plug and chug models will have package pricing that you can refer to.
Those who are in the range and able to complete the work will move forward with chatting to you, and those who are out will kindly point you in the direction of partners who may be a better fit for you.
Once you’re on a call or sitting down with them, here’s what you want to ask:
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Tell me about your experience serving clients who are in our industry and what you did for them.
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What other clients have you helped grow their business on social? I would love to hear an example case study.
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What does your onboarding process look like?
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I read your service offering, and I’d like to know more about our communication. How often are we communicating each week, and throughout the process?
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[If not answered in the previous question] Which content typically routes through me/ my team for review?
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How often do you deliver reporting? Can I see an example of what is included in that reporting?
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Where do you see the biggest opportunity for our brand on social media in the next 3-6 months? Where are we currently missing the mark?
All of these questions help you learn about this partner’s working service, experience, communication style, organization, analysis delivery, and most importantly, expertise that matters for your business.
*Warning Sign*: If they do not have a formal onboarding, strategy session or deep dive into your brand, do not work with them. It is impossible to build a strategic and impactful presence online without knowing your brand and business extremely well. This is the signal of a great doer, but not a professional who is going to grow your business.
Only you can decide what’s most important for your brand —and that can even be deciding that you want to hire an expert who can help tell you what’s most important for your brand.
Step 4: Trial
If this is an option for your business, I highly recommend (and some vendors may hate me for posting this, but we keep it real here!)
Do a 30-90 day trial run with the partner of your choice. This is like dating before marriage — you get to know them, they get to know you, and you work through the kinks. Most vendors will have discounts for annual pricing, but it’s important that you don’t hire a partner who ultimately is a bad fit your business. That can really end up costing you a whole lot more.
Give the trial a run, and if it works out well, sign that annual contract. There will never be a shortage of need for social media services, and you’ll be confident that you’re signing a contract with a partner who will directly impact your business online.
Step 5: Find your rhythm
Your partner will follow your lead when it comes to communication, so it’s important to set the standard from the start about what you want. Do you prefer weekly calls and emails, or is a monthly check-in fine? Do you want to see all content ahead of time, or just the main posts? Your partner will have recommendations on best practices, but it’s ultimately your choice about what you want to do.
You’ll also want to get a list of deadlines for deliverables from your partner. When will you be expecting content calendars? When do they need your approval by? These expectations should be set early and maintained throughout the relationship to keep everyone happy.
Once your strategy is developed, your deadlines are set, and expectations shared — you’re on your way! Enjoy this new journey, and sit back feeling accomplished for finding the perfect social media partner for you.
Anything we missed? Share your ideas in the comments below!
