How to hire a social media consultant

How to hire a social media consultant

Chances are, if you’re an entrepreneur or marketing director of a small to medium-sized business, you’ll have been dipping into social media platforms and hopefully getting engaged by now.

One of the biggest issues I regularly come across for those involved with, or looking to get involved, with social media for business usage is that of not having enough time to do it thoroughly, or not having enough expertise to get engaged effectively.

Agencies, in particular, are having trouble providing powerful social media services for their clients – as they are so busy doing the daily stuff, many have been left well behind the curve on blogging, social media, and micro-blogging developments.

Solution? Hire a social media consultant.

Here’s a few tips from me on how to hire well – or, to put it another way, my 6 P’s of things to look for when hiring your social media consultant.
Remember, it’s their job to make you look absolutely brilliant online, and draw attention to your door:

1. Passionate

Is the social media consultant passionate about social media? Are they passionate about getting you results on social media platforms? Can they demonstrate their passion for social media?

2. Professional

Is the social media consultant professional in their outlook to social media platforms? Have they delivered professionally for other businesses and agencies on a variety of relevant social media platforms? Is their own social media presence professional?

3. Prompt

Is the social media consultant prompt in the social media presence? Are they blogging, tweeting and adding powerful content promptly, consistently and with a proven track record? Is their social media promptness provable for other existing clients?

4. Personable

Is the social media consultant personable? Is it apparent that they have a social and professional personality which will translate well for your business if you put them in front of them? Is their personality appropriate for social media engagement on your behalf?

5. Practical

Is the social media consultant a practical deliverer? Can you see a track record of ‘sleeves rolled up’ by them? Are you confident that they will work hard, consistently and diligently on your behalf on social media platforms?

6. Price

Now, although we’re all looking for a bargain, is your social media consultant too cheap? After all, if they charge peanuts, what do you think the results will be? Are you looking for a cheap, non-effective social media presence, or have you allocated a workable budget for your social media consultant to deliver on your behalf?

Chris Street of Bristol Editor

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