How to Choose the Right Social Media Management Service

There are many options available to companies who want to make their lives easier when it comes to managing social media How do you know which is best for you? Here are some things to consider�.

1. To DIY or not DIY...that is the question

Small to mid-size companies may think that doing it themselves is the best option. We commonly hear that cost is a reason for DIY social media management - if you've explored other options, you know it can get expensive!

Take into consideration the time you will spend learning about the different social media sites, getting those sites up and running, and then learning how to manage it all. It will take longer than you think!. And then there's the cost � think about the number of hours that will be devoted to this, and then multiply that times the hourly rate of the staff who will be responsible. It can add up quickly!

If you are new to social media and don't use social media sites on a personal level, you may want to consider outsourcing this task. If you have some familiarity, you may want to start out slowly and build over time as a DIY option.

2. Choose your platform carefully

Free is good of course, but comes with limitations. When considering how to manage your social media, think long term, not in the moment. Will the free options work for now, but be cumbersome later on? Will switching from a free to paid platform (or merging several free tools into one platform) cause disruption in your plans? Think of the big picture � it might be worth spending more upfront and save yourself time and money down the road.

What should you look at when deciding on a management platform? This checklist will give you some ideas and things to think about when looking at your options.

3. Look for the man (or woman) behind the curtain

Finding a user friendly platform is key; after all, you can have the most sophisticated program available, but if you don't know how to use it to its fullest potential, you're missing out.

Companies who handle social media management often times have expertise with these robust software platforms, giving you the luxury of simple management and strong analytical reports delivered to your inbox. On top of that, the cost is often

less than you'd pay to secure the software on your own. Sometimes it's best to outsource to get the benefit of less cost, time, and frustration while getting the most of out of a platform.