Deciding Between In-House and Outsourced Social Media Marketing
by Gwen Hagen, Director, Program Management
It’s a common question when determining the best approach for your brand: is it better to handle social media internally or delegate the responsibility to an experienced agency? Each option has its benefits and challenges.
Outsourcing is often more effective regardless of the size of your business since it allows you to leverage expert skills and manage costs without tying up your staff.
The Benefits of Running Your Social Marketing Accounts In-House
You have greater control over content creation and implementation if you handle your own social media management. One of your employees or a dedicated team is responsible for making posts, responding to comments and messages, tracking ad campaigns and finding creative ways to engage with your followers. With time and training, an in-house social media manager can provide curated, branded social content that meets your marketing goals.
Using your own people to run your accounts will still cost you time and money. You’ll need to hire, train, onboard and, of course, pay salary and benefits to all in-house employees working on your social media. They may also need access to social management tools that require membership fees.
The Benefits of Outsourcing Social Media Marketing
Delegating your social media marketing efforts to experienced professionals frees up your team’s time and resources so they can all focus on other tasks. Pros can also monitor social media trends while managing your accounts.
Access to Specialized Expertise
Social media is ever-evolving. Algorithms change, your audience’s needs shift and content creation varies by platform. Working with an agency gives you access to experts who know the platforms, tools and strategies. That level of knowledge takes time and effort to acquire and it could be hard to replicate with an in-house staff member.
A social media marketing team may include various specialists, such as writers, graphic designers, strategists and ad managers. Having several people dedicated to your social strategy means more people managing multiple platforms, content volume, content calendars and posting consistency.
Cost-Efficiency
Consider the following: The average social media manager salary ranges from$62,000 to $70,000, while a content creator or graphic designer could cost $50,000 to $60,000 annually. Outsourcing eliminates the need to hire full-time employees, making it a more affordable solution, especially if you run a small business.
It’s generally a more cost-effective option compared with using your in-house team since you also don’t need to spend money on recruitment and training. Using a social media marketing service also allows you to benefit from that company’s technology and subscriptions without having to pay for your own.
New, Objective Perspectives
Your in-house team could become too immersed in your brand, affecting their ability to create effective social posts intended for your followers. It’s important to remember that you aren’t your target audience, so what you think is an ideal social post may not actually serve your customers’ needs.
A social media marketing agency can provide a fresh perspective on your brand and content. That can lead to innovative ideas and campaigns that resonate with your target audience. Agencies that work with diverse clients across different industries may also be better equipped to identify and experiment with creative ideas than your internal staff.
Increased ROI Through Analytics and Strategy
Agencies use advanced data analysis tools like HubSpot and HootSuite to track metrics and optimize strategies. Measuring the results of ad campaigns and post engagement allows them to identify which types of content best resonate with your audience. Agencies can adapt their strategies quickly and effectively based on those metrics, leading to better ROI and time management.
Social Media Strategy with MadAve Marketing Management
Working with our expert team means you’ll have access to a full spectrum of marketing specialists, including writers, designers, ad managers and analysts, who will ensure each aspect of your social media marketing is optimized. Learn more about our services and contact us to schedule a consultation.
