Why Would Anyone Hire Someone to Facebook For Them?

I mean really. Just about everyone knows how to post a status update or hit “Like”. Even my own parents know how and they’re post-Great Depression and WWII babies. They’re pretty hot stuff now, too, that they can Skype me with the occasional privacy setting question or talk with the grandkids.

They’ve been long-retired from the working world, though. My dad has retired from two jobs that I can recall. Both were before the days of cell phones, so the idea of posting anything about a job is a pretty strange concept to my parents. Yet, they are completely aware that the days of marketing and advertising have moved well beyond the newspaper ad. They haven’t had home delivery of their local paper in years. However, they (and maybe even you) are wrapping their heads around this whole SMM thing.

“What do we tell people you do?”
I’m a virtual assistant who performs social media marketing tasks for small business owners who don’t have the interest or the time to do it themselves. I don’t report to an office, so there’s no overhead to worry about. I’m an independent freelancer and pay my own taxes. I work anywhere in the world there is a WiFi connection.

“What does that mean, social media marketing tasks?”
I “ghost” post on their Facebook business pages and Twitter accounts, sometimes LinkedIn or Pinterest, about their businesses. Sort of like mini-ad campaigns, but instead of talking at their customers (Buy Me!), the posts are meant to have a conversation with their customers (Take a sneak peek at the new product line rolling out next week. Tell us what you think!) Some want me to blog about different topics in their business. It might be a new product or a commentary on something that impacts their business & consumers.

“Can’t they do that themselves? Can’t they just write on their Facebook ‘Buy My Product’?”
Sure they can. But, then they’re talking at their customers and it doesn’t establish a good relationship with the customer. When was the last time you bought something because you were told to?

But, when was the last time you Googled a product before you bought it , found the brand and their Facebook page, their Gooogle + hangout, their Twitter, LinkedIn and, quite possibly, their Pinterest boards?

“This morning.”
There you go. The integration of all the posts and opinions that go out, make it easier for you & others to find them and hopefully buy their product.

“Ok. But, why wouldn’t they do that themselves?”
Time, or their lack thereof. Or possibly, their lack of understanding how to put all or some of the social media platforms to good use. Not every platform is right for every business. Also, there are changes in social media marketing that occur almost daily. If you’re running a business, you don’t necessarily have the time to find out about Facebook’s latest changes in the timeline cover image rules or the latest Panda and Penguin updates for Google.

“What do Pandas and Penguins have to do with Google?”
A lot. Better put on another pot of coffee.

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If you’ve decided you need to hire a virtual assistant to address your social media marketing needs, here are a few things to consider:

• A social media marketing strategy increases your visibility among social media sites. It takes planning, knowing the audience you want to attract and the most effective platforms for increasing your business online presence and reputation.

• Social Media is Social. One must be engaging, informative and responsive with your customers.

• Your social media marketing strategy must be frequently monitored. Customer feedback and engagement must be monitored and re-evaluated to address their concerns and interests, while further defining & increasing your brand presence.

It’s 21st Century SMM’s goal to bring life to your business so you can enjoy more of your Life. Contact us to discuss your social media marketing strategy & bring your business into the 21st Century.

21stcenturysmm@gmail.com

Be Well. Be Present. Be Social.
~Theresa

21st Century SMM