As a small business owner, you know the importance of social media in building your company and engaging with your audience. That’s why you hired a social media manager to help navigate the constantly evolving world of social media. However, there are certain things you should consider saying or asking of your social media manager.
1. “Can you please post this right now?”
Your social media manager has a schedule for a reason. Posting at certain times of day ensures maximum engagement from your audience. Plus, last-minute posts increase the likelihood of typos and errors. Trust your social media manager's expertise.
2. “Can you make this go viral?”
No one can guarantee virality. It's like asking someone to predict the lottery numbers. Creating quality content increases the chances of going viral, but nothing is guaranteed.
3. “Why have my followers not increased?”
It's important to recognize that growth on social media is not always a straightforward, linear progression. In the past, there were methods like comment bots, Instagram pods, and purchasing followers that could rapidly boost your follower count within days or months. However, those days are behind us. Building a genuine and engaged following now requires sustained effort and patience. Instead of fixating solely on the number of followers, consider shifting your focus toward fostering engagement and expanding your reach. Building a loyal and interactive audience takes time, but it's a more sustainable and meaningful approach in the long run.
4. “Why aren’t we on (insert new social media platform)?”
Each social media platform has a different focus, audience, and strategy. It's essential to remember that not every social media platform is necessary for your business. Instead of spreading ourselves too thin, it makes more sense to concentrate on the platforms we've already ventured into, build a strong presence there, and assess the need for expanding to other platforms in the future. This approach allows us to maximize our effectiveness on the platforms we are already on and make informed decisions about any potential new additions.
5. “Can I pick your brain for my personal account?”
If you have allocated a budget for your personal account, feel free to ask for advice. Your social media manager is an expert in their position and has unique insights into your business. Asking your social media manager to provide free advice for your personal account is unprofessional and disrespectful. If you value their expertise, pay them for their time and advice.
6. “Are you posting anything for (insert social holiday date)?”
If the content aligns with your brand's values and messaging on social media, then yes, it is likely planned and scheduled. However, if it doesn't resonate with our brand or audience, it's not a part of our content plan for that date.
7. “Everyone is posting it…are you sure we should post it?”
Following trends blindly can harm your brand’s reputation and authenticity. Social media managers need to curate content that aligns with your brand’s values and message. Don’t ask them to post content just because everyone else is.
8. “I thought I would have made more sales since you started”
Social media is only a part of the overall business strategy. Other factors, such as product quality or pricing, can affect sales. It's essential to have realistic expectations and goals. Your social media manager can post great and relevant content about your brand and your products and services, reply to comments and DM’s in a timely manner, create strategies to market the product and even set up message automation to drive sales and come up with incentives and loyalty programs to help, but we cannot physically make your audience buy your product or service.
9. “Is that how it’s normally done?”
There's no "normal" way to do things in social media. Each strategy should be tailored to the brand's goals, audience, and resources. Instead, focus on the strategy's effectiveness and adjust.
10. “Are you sure three posts a day is enough?”
Posting too much content can overwhelm followers and decrease engagement.
11. “I know it’s not part of your job, but can you help us…(create content, graphic design, email, customer service)?”
Social media management involves more than just creating posts. Assigning extra tasks outside of our job description, without proper compensation or recognition, can be frustrating.
12. “What do you do all day?”
The question that often goes unnoticed! Social media management is a full-time job that involves strategy, content creation, engagement, analytics, and staying up-to-date with trends and algorithm changes. Many individuals believe that the role of a social media manager primarily involves sharing attractive images, but this couldn't be further from the truth. In reality, they're diligently tending to your social media presence, actively engaging with your followers, liking posts, leaving comments, responding to direct messages, crafting content plans and marketing strategies, creating content, and providing you with insightful reports. All of this, mind you, is just the tip of the iceberg. As a result, their days are incredibly hectic.
In light of this, my main point is that the responsibilities of those unsung heroes who manage social media go far beyond what meets the eye. They regularly deal with clients' emotions, concerns, and brand issues, and this constant engagement is why social media anxiety has become a prevalent issue. When you next encounter them, consider these factors and extend your gratitude to the exceptional social media managers who contribute their creativity to enrich our digital landscape!
Social media management is an essential part of any small business. However, it's crucial to trust your social media manager and avoid asking or saying things that could harm the business's success. Focus on building a good relationship, improving engagement, and creating a unique brand image, and your social media manager will deliver great results.