Can You Outsource Social Media

Nils_Langenils_lange Thanks Nils for great input! A big challenge is clearly the time and resource factor, especially for small businesses. It's critical that the outsourcing partner understand the company if it should be possible to help the customer with social media marketing. So far I think this could work great if you are working with awareness as a goal. But if you have sales or customer service as a goal for your social media presence the context change, then my opinion is that companies must be in the driving seat not int the passenger seat. Then it doesn't matter if the company is big or small.. What do you think?

ChristianHolli SmartBoyDesigns Thanks Christian, great input from you as usual. Which is the most challenging part when you integrating social media into an organization? I agree with you social media works best in-house.

Mattias GronborgSmartBoyDesigns The most challenging part is diverse opinions. Many individuals have good input, but often think they know exactly how they should run their social media campaign. You get clashing opinions from top level CEOs, as well as from marketing directors, etc...ironing out all the details so everyone is happy can often be difficult. But that's also when you find a way to produce something really spectacular.

ChristianHolliSmartBoyDesigns Yes and spectacular should always be a goal. Build a stable foundation by understanding the big picture is a challenge and very important because then you could deliver the truth for your client. Thanks Christian!

JocelynWilhelm I belive you just need to find the best solution for each client, but they need to understand that they need to do the hardcore work themselves. The social media process is very much like the process for SEO has been for years, companies wants to be nr 1, but they dont understand how much themselves need to work. Its your brand and no vendor can fully understand the core value of your company. But its a tag team as you say:).

JocelynWilhelm I like your "tag team" process and I think working with companies like a digital coach is a beneficial way for companies to learn the truth about social media. Social media isn't static as you said and you can't treat it like a check in the box. Based on your experience, which tasks do you believe is possible to outsource?

While it's best for the business to actually post/tweet content, tracking of traffic and deciphering it is best left to the SM Strategist. Here's how I see it and how it has worked for me.

Business + SM Strategist - works together and decide that in order to bring customers in (inbound marketing), both need to work together to create a strong SM presence.

SM Strategist - advices Business how to post based on optimization technique for both SM and SE.

Business - post regularly based on SM Strategist advice and guidance.

SM Strategist - tracks fans/followers behaviors, though use of tools and reports that to business and makes adjustments if necessary.

Business + SM Strategist - monitors comments, tweets, responses.

Business - responds & engages to comments & tweets.

I have to add that Social Media is NOT a one-man team. A collaboration of efforts from SM Strategist + business + employees = make for a robust SM experience.

JocelynWilhelm i think this is a interesting tag team description and it is important as you say to have a collaboration within the company. This seems to be an interesting topic!

rayhiltz Thanks for participating Ray. Interesting point, so you mean you can outsource social media during an implementation period when the company is learning about social media?

Mattias Gronborg I don't think that it's ideal, but given that many companies don't know where to start, with the help of a social media consultant or strategist they can get set up on whatever platforms that suit their goals and get a team in place to start listening and doing some basic interactions.

I don't suggest they do that on their own before knowing what they're doing because that could result in more damage than good.

rayhiltz indeed it's important to help them create a new communication habbit and coach them how to strengthen their muscles. Thanks again Ray!

snouraini I love your idea about a group discussion on Hangout and thanks for sharing your view point on this topic. I think it's important to bring your marketing and sales machine up and running at real time speed. I think social media can make your entire organization work more efficient, if your people work together better you will drive more business to your company and away from your competitors. A company who understand this opportunity will always win long term over a company who choose outsourcing because they will learn how the real time world works. You don't outsource your mobile phone; you learn how you should use it. What do you think?

Let's find a time for a Hangout soon.

snouraini Hi Snouraini, great idea idea with a group discussion on Hangout. This is a interesting topic and it would be great to discuss on G+. Socia media can become a very efficient asset for companies who really understands the core value of social media.