Does Your Business Need A Superhero, A Social Media Manager, Or An Agency?

Discover the importance of social media management for business growth. Learn why not every superhero can be a social media manager, the benefits of hiring an agency, and cost-effective hybrid solutions.

Growing Your Business Through Social Media

Ryan Holmes, CEO of Vancouver-based Hootsuite, declared the role of Social Media Manager dead. While it’s true that positions with this title have decreased, the need for social media skills has not. Social media hasn’t gone away, on the contrary, it has moved closer to the center of business.

Studies show that 94% of business buyers research online first. 58% of customers (and 64% of millennials) research products on Facebook before buying. It’s not a question of whether or not a business needs a social presence, it’s just a question of who is going to handle it. If social media keeps getting pushed to the bottom of the agenda it might be time to hire an in-house social media specialist or a social media agency to ensure that your company is making the most of social marketing opportunities.

The Superhero Dilemma: What Does a Social Media Manager Do?

The role of Social Media Manager is evolving. It used to be simpler, now it’s a multifaceted role better suited to an experienced communicator with superhero-like digital skills. A Social Media Manager is a communicator first and foremost. Whether she’s speaking for the company as she replies to tweets or strategizing about a campaign, she is constantly communicating. Beyond the words these managers need a keen eye for numbers, a strong sense of strategy, a good understanding of sales and the creativity to nimbly hop between platforms.

Why Not Every Superhero Can Be a Social Media Manager

In the world of social media management, having a superhero on your team might seem like the ultimate dream. But let’s take a moment to consider the practicalities of this scenario.

Imagine hiring The Flash as your social media manager. With his super speed, he could post content, respond to comments, and analyze data in a blink of an eye. He could probably manage the social media accounts of multiple businesses at once, all while saving the city from various threats. Sounds perfect, right?

But wait, his speed could also be his downfall. Imagine him typing at super speed and accidentally posting confidential company information or a post full of typos. His rapid-fire responses might also come across as impersonal or automated, lacking the human touch that is so crucial in social media interactions.

Moreover, The Flash’s super speed doesn’t necessarily come with super attention to detail or strategic thinking. Social media management isn’t just about speed; it’s about understanding the brand, engaging with the audience, and creating a strategic plan to achieve specific business goals.

So, while The Flash might excel in speed, he might not necessarily have the right skill set to be a successful social media manager. This highlights the importance of not just looking at the surface-level skills (or superpowers) of a potential social media manager, but also considering the deeper, more strategic skills that are required for the role.

The Challenges of Being a Social Media Manager

Being a Social Media Manager can be challenging. It requires staying up-to-date with the latest social media trends, constantly creating engaging content, and dealing with negative comments or crises.

The Benefits of Hiring a Social Media Manager

Hiring a Social Media Manager can provide a number of benefits. They can help to increase brand awareness, engage with customers, generate leads, and much more.

Considering Hiring an Agency?

Hiring an agency or an individual immersed in new trends in online PR, content marketing, and mobile marketing will keep a business ahead of the pack. Some companies have found success hiring an agency to develop a social media strategy first. Hiring a social media marketing agency rather than a full-time Social Media Manager in-house manager can save time and money. It’s a particularly good choice for medium to large businesses with a healthy budget and some in-house marketing staff. Working with an agency lets a company’s social media presence grow as business grows.

In 2023, the cost of hiring a social media agency can range from $2,000 to $10,000 per month depending on the services provided. If that’s out of reach for small businesses, there’s another way.

A Hybrid Solution: Social Media Management Services

For businesses looking for a more affordable solution, social media management services can be a great option. These services provide social media posting and management at a fraction of the cost of hiring an agency. Here are some examples:

Sprout Social: Their social media dashboard pricing starts at $249 per month for the Standard plan where you write all of your own posts.
Social Marketer: Offers a competitive price starting at $249 per month where Social Marketer writes and schedules all of your posts for you.
LYFE Marketing: Their social media management pricing starts at $600 per month.
Social Media Co. UK Their basic “update my feeds’ social media management package starts at £350 per month.

These services can handle all aspects of social media management, allowing businesses to reap the benefits of social media without the need for a full-time in-house social media manager or the high cost of an agency.

Looking for a Place to Start?

Consider speaking with me (I’m a social media consultant) to help you develop a social media marketing strategy that’s based on measurable business goals. Learn more about me and my social media consulting services. If you’re looking for social media services you can resell to your clients, check out Social Marketer for white-label social media management.

In the end, it’s not about finding a superhero to manage your social media. It’s about finding someone who understands your business, your brand, and your audience, and who can use social media as a tool to drive growth and engagement. Whether that’s a dedicated social media manager, a social media agency, or a hybrid solution like a social media management service, will depend on your specific needs and resources.

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