Do You Need A Professional Social Media Manager?

While it would be advantageous for us to answer this question with a resounding “YES!” we realize that outsourcing any task for your business comes with pros and cons. Social media can be very overwhelming if you’re not familiar with the nuances of each platform. There are so many elements to consider, leading many to throw their hands up and not post at all.

Things like tone of voice, brand awareness, and office climate can be problematic to trust with an outsider. How can someone who doesn’t work for us get it right? Believe it or not, a good social media manager can!

Here are some questions to ask yourself when deciding whether or not to hire a professional social media manager:

·   Is it in my budget? Business owners tend to think that social media managers are astronomically expensive, and some of them are! But, not all. An agency geared towards small businesses will offer several different packages that are well within a modest budget. 

·   Are they open to feedback? An effective social media manager is speaking on your behalf in a voice that sounds exactly like you. It’s normal for it to take a few months to establish content and tone of voice. But, how will your manager know if they’re hitting the mark? They need to encourage feedback and be happy to make adjustments.

·   How involved do I need to be? Some business owners want to be very hands-on in supplying fresh content, and others are only heard from a few times a year. What does feasible involvement mean to you? Be sure to find a manager that can work within the parameters you’re willing to provide.

·   What is my competition doing? Check out the social media pages of your competitors. Are they posting daily with significant engagement, and you’re scratching your head wondering how they do it? If that’s the case, you may as well be handing clients to your competition. Hiring a professional will get you back in the game.

·   Are they familiar with my industry? Everyone has their area of specialty, and this certainly applies to social media managers. Think of your first consultation with a social media manager as a job interview. What experience do they have? Do they have other clients in your industry? Make sure their finger is on the pulse of your business.

·   Will I actually post on my own? If you’ve determined that a professional social media manager will do a much better job than you, but you’re still hesitant, it’s time for a reality check. Ask yourself the most important question. Even if you think you can figure it out on your own, will you actually do it? Are you honestly going to put the time in to find interesting content and post every single day AND engage with followers?

For most business owners, it’s that last bullet point that is the decision-maker. We often create lofty ambitions, but real-life gets in the way. The truth is, most business owners don’t have enough time to dedicate to social media. They’re busy running businesses! And if it’s not in your budget to hire an in-house marketing professional, a social media manager might be just the ticket. 

How Instagram’s “Quick Reply” Feature Works—And Why You Should Be Using It!

By Jamie Johnson • 08 Feb, 2024
It can be hard to keep up with the latest add-on tools and feature launches on social media platforms and truth be told, not all are created equal. But there’s one gaining traction with business owners that’s helping to boost engagement, audience reach, and sales, too! Chances are good you’ve seen or used this feature before—perhaps unknowingly. Instagram’s “Quick Reply” allows users to create pre-selected responses for specific keywords or phrases in direct messages (DMs). This tool streamlines communication by allowing users to respond efficiently to common inquiries or products of interest. The best part is your response or link becomes easily visible in that follower’s direct messaging inbox, making it more accessible. Curious how to tailor the Quick Response feature to meet the needs of your business? Here are some examples we encourage you to try. Customer Inquiries Have you been utilizing the “Link In Bio” CTA without much website traction? It may be time to switch things up. Try having followers comment with keywords like “Product” or “FAQ” which allows you to automatically send them a direct link to your website for purchasing or help with a question. Upcoming Events Avoiding last-minute RSVPs can be a hassle, but mitigate that by making it more convenient to register for an upcoming seminar, book an appointment, or reserve a timeslot for a consult. The easier the process, the greater the likelihood of a follow-through. Feedback and Reviews Replying to messages in a timely manner is essential for building a positive rapport online, but sometimes it gets pushed to the end of a long to-do list. Create quick replies to acknowledge and show appreciation for positive comments and address any concerns promptly. Sales and Promotions Selecting a keyword like “sale” or “savings” lets business owners seamlessly send customers coupon codes or special discounts straight to their inboxes. It’s great to share promotional codes right in your newsfeed, but try utilizing this feature instead to give your engagement a boost at the same time. Ready to give it a try? Simply go to the Settings tab in your Business account, find and select  Quick Replies , and then create a new reply based on your needs. This feature is currently available on Instagram only, although Facebook does offer the ability to preset replies to messages via Meta Business. If you’re looking for more assistance, the team at Officially Social has you covered. Contact us at alison@officiallysocial.com, and we’d be happy to answer any questions you have about incorporating this and other up-and-coming tools in your current social media package.

TikTok: The Best Marketing Tool You Aren’t Using

By Jamie Johnson • 05 Jan, 2024
We hear it from our clients all the time. “I’m not on TikTok personally, so why should I use it professionally?” While we understand the aversion to new technology, we’r e here to tell you that regardless of your personal social media preferences, this trending platform is a great marketing tool for your business. With over 1.5 BILLION active users in 2023, TikTok continues gaining momentum for everything from entertainment to education. So, what’s the buzz all about? Unlike other platforms, TikTok does not limit content to direct followers. Their algorithms make it easy for anyone, anywhere, to find videos based on interests and search history. That means the next viral video is just a click away, and it could be yours. Here are our top five tips for a seamless TikTok transition: 1. Do Your Research Like other social media platforms, TikTok requires a little advanced planning for the greatest impact. Start by scoping out your competitors and look at their videos with the most likes and engagement. What are they doing that works well? It could be anything from song choice to the time of day they post. Use them as inspiration to create a marketing plan tailored to specific customer needs. You’ll also want to plan diversified content. Yes, dance videos are entertaining, but how-to, tutorials, and DIY also do very well on TikTok. Find a balance that caters to the audience you serve. 2. Build Your Brand Branding on TikTok begins with your bio, where you have just eighty characters to introduce your business. Be creative and make each word count. Tone matters, and there are ways to be both professional and personable. Focus on similar themes for a cohesive look, but also experiment with different layouts and music. Your profile should tell a story, not just serve as a sales pitch. 3. Create A Calendar Daily activity is necessary when you're first starting out on TikTok. The algorithms favor engaged users, so make this a priority to build a strong following. This includes sharing and commenting on other accounts too! Need inspiration for filling up a month’s worth of material? Followers enjoy getting sneak peeks at daily routines, so even things that seem mundane to you might pique someone else’s interest. And take inspiration from influencers and industry leaders—chances are you’ll come up with new ideas in no time. 4. Yes, Hashtags Are Important! Hashtags are a powerful search tool, especially on TikTok, so use them to your advantage. Include location-specific and industry buzzwords, plus any keywords directly related to the post's topic. You can also research the most popular hashtags on any given day, which can help generate more visibility. Most importantly, try to mix up the hashtags you include. Algorithms are tricky and sometimes flag accounts that are too repetitive.  5. Build Community Remember, your priority is to market your business, but your followers also want to feel emotionally connected. Respond to comments and questions promptly, and show some love to others in your industry. Ask for feedback on a new idea or product. Social media is a powerful tool, but that stems from a human connection. Something as simple as “liking” a comment lets people feel noticed and valued. Regardless of the size of your business, TikTok is slated to remain a valuable addition to your social media toolkit. Develop a unique profile, target your audience, and create a meaningful content strategy to increase your chances of success. Need help getting started? The team at Officially Social is always available. Email alison@officiallysocial today!

New Year, New Trends: Here’s What’s On Deck For Social Media In 2024

By Jamie Johnson • 30 Nov, 2023
We’re all looking for easy ways to grow our businesses in the coming year. Stepping up your online marketing strategy is an easy place to begin. But where to start? Which platforms are best for your niche? Each offers versatile options that can be tailored to your audience—the key is using them to your advantage.
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