I was reading this post by Katie Urbain and it struck me that I’d had a similar thought on the same day she wrote it.
Outsourced Social Media: Does it make sense?
I strongly feel a client should represent true transparency by doing their own social media content. My desire for honesty and transparency compels me to feel it’s irrational to have another company posting content for another business. If we truly value and embrace that which is social media then we should value the act of being oneself and gaining the trust of others.
To clarify, I’m speaking more to the entrepreneurs and small businesses but my words also fit larger corporations.
Now lets forget corporations and focus on small businesses. How much do you want to give up? We outsource so many processes that we become static. By outsourcing we disconnect ourselves and our business from the evolution of technology.
Social media is different. It’s dynamic and constantly evolving. By not learning the theory and applying it, your company will be at the whim of the snake oil salesman. Oh, and they will know more about this arena and charge you for it.
Outsourcing to “experts” is risky and there are no guarantees.
For some, outsourcing is a necessity. Not everyone can fully embrace the call-to-action copy, and customer engagement with charisma and charm.
“What translates in face-to-face charm is inflection of voice, giant white smiles, and lots of showmanship which does not necessarily translate into content through social media.”
If you’re programmed to close the deal then social media will not be an easy conversion for you. This doesn’t mean your should throw your hands up and surrender. Get some coaching, bring in a tested consultant preferably one that comes with references, and the ability to convey this environment to you.
What outsourcing translates to is a lack of business growth.
My passion for transparency and honesty tells me that posting social media content for another business is a conflict of interest. After all, the power of social media resides in the ability to be oneself and gain the trust of others.
It goes back to the simplest business notion. “People want to do business with you, a face, a person who can answer their questions.”
Are you a DIY or do you outsource social media, and has either improved your business?