Before Choosing a Social Media Consultant, Read This
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Seems like social media consultants are a dime a dozen these days. They're popping-up all over the place like crazy. How can you tell who's real, experienced, and has the results to ensure your success, though? It can be very tricky, especially with all of the fake social proof flying left and right. Here are some tips that will guide you on your search for the best.
Find video testimonials (real case-studies)
If a coach is worth anything, they'll have real testimonials online. They won't sound scripted either. Be careful, though, as some agencies have been busted by the FTC for false testimonials. You can usually tell since they sound very scripted and unbelievable.
Get proof of results
If a social media consulting guy's trying to sell you on search engine optimization (SEO), look at his own website SEO. Does he rank well? You'd be shocked to know how many teach SEO but their website is nowhere near the first page of Google.
How can they possibly teach SEO if they're not successfully doing it? The reality is, they can't.
See if they have another business other than social media consulting
This is a BIG one. You find many social media consultants online marketing to local businesses and how they can get them more customers, traffic, and leads. However, most of these consulting coaches have never had their own brick and mortar small business.
Again, that's like going to a gynecologist for a brain tumor. You just wouldn't do that so be careful!
Google the person or company you're thinking about hiring
This is pretty straight forward. You want to check their reviews and get a good sense of their reputation. You also want to see how much content they have online and what the search results populate.
If you want to hire a social media guru, they better have an enormous presence on Facebook, Twitter, etc., and they should have tens of thousands of listings on Google when you search their name.
So many times business owners fall into the trap of hiring companies that they see on TV. Little do consumers know, many of these companies simply have venture capitalist funding, that's why they're in the public eye. It doesn't have anything to do if they're actually good, experienced and can get you the results you're seeking.
The bottom line is to do your due diligence on whatever social media consulting agency or coach you're looking to hire. The above points will help you make the best educated decision.
Find video testimonials (real case-studies)
If a coach is worth anything, they'll have real testimonials online. They won't sound scripted either. Be careful, though, as some agencies have been busted by the FTC for false testimonials. You can usually tell since they sound very scripted and unbelievable.
Get proof of results
If a social media consulting guy's trying to sell you on search engine optimization (SEO), look at his own website SEO. Does he rank well? You'd be shocked to know how many teach SEO but their website is nowhere near the first page of Google.
How can they possibly teach SEO if they're not successfully doing it? The reality is, they can't.
See if they have another business other than social media consulting
This is a BIG one. You find many social media consultants online marketing to local businesses and how they can get them more customers, traffic, and leads. However, most of these consulting coaches have never had their own brick and mortar small business.
Again, that's like going to a gynecologist for a brain tumor. You just wouldn't do that so be careful!
Google the person or company you're thinking about hiring
This is pretty straight forward. You want to check their reviews and get a good sense of their reputation. You also want to see how much content they have online and what the search results populate.
If you want to hire a social media guru, they better have an enormous presence on Facebook, Twitter, etc., and they should have tens of thousands of listings on Google when you search their name.
So many times business owners fall into the trap of hiring companies that they see on TV. Little do consumers know, many of these companies simply have venture capitalist funding, that's why they're in the public eye. It doesn't have anything to do if they're actually good, experienced and can get you the results you're seeking.
The bottom line is to do your due diligence on whatever social media consulting agency or coach you're looking to hire. The above points will help you make the best educated decision.