This post originally appeared on the American Express OPEN Forum, where Mashable regularly contributes articles about leveraging social media and technology in small business.
According to a recent MerchantCircle survey of 8,500 small businesses across the U.S., more than two-thirds of small merchants are using social media to market their business. At the same time, one-third of these companies say that lack of time and resources is their top online marketing challenge. Taken together, these two data points underscore a growing need for social media support among small businesses.
But hiring a social media consultant may not be as straightforward as hiring other types of professional service providers, such as a web designer or an accountant. For one, you may not be clear on the value or immediate impact of social media relative to other marketing channels. You might already be handling this yourself and aren’t sure if it makes sense to get help. And unlike one-off projects such as a website redesign or tax preparation, social media support is typically an ongoing monthly expense.
Here are four questions to consider when deciding whether to outsource your social media:
1. Can effective social media drive your business growth?
Randa Yezak of Southern Jewlz spends three hours per day on social media sites.
Just like with any other marketing effort, it’s important to look at the potential impact of social media on your business goals before investing time and money in the process.
For some small business owners, social media is the lifeblood of their business and warrants the time investment. Randa Yezak, founder of women’s apparel company Southern Jewlz, spends at least three hours a day on social media marketing. < br />
“I have a young...
