Most companies tell me they simply don’t have time to do the blogging/social media by themselves. They realize that to learn it and do it on a consistent basis it would take too much of their billable time. As one client said, “The time it would take me is time that I can use to make three times as much money as it costs me to hire you!”
So, how do you outsource your blogging and social media?
1. Decide what you need. Is it the writing that’s tormenting you? Or is it actually building the blog itself? (For information on how to get a blog built, watch for tomorrow’s post.) Do you want someone to monitor your Twitter feed, build you a page on Facebook? What are you looking for? What scares you the most?
2. Ask for referrals. Find quality people from other quality people. Ask your fellow business owners. Do they have a blog? Do they write it? If you’re a lawyer, look into hiring a company (Justia.com; disclaimer, I am a Justia blogger currently) or ask another lawyer for a referral. If you’re not sure if you have anyone to ask, post a question on Twitter or LinkedIn or Facebook. You’ll get replies, I promise.
3. Ask for blogging samples. Find out how long the blogger has been doing this for others. Find out how many clients the blogger has had, how long those companies were clients, and read the sample blog posts. Does the blogger write clearly? Is their tone engaging and interesting? Are you drawn to the writing yourself? If not, that’s a huge indicator.
4. Make the call. Contact the blogger in person (not just email) and talk to them about their vision for your blog or your social media presence. Are they confident when they talk? Do they have ideas for your specific blog? All that helps you make your decision.
5. Check out the prospective blogger’s social media presence. Does the blogger blog daily? On multiple blogs? Do they have a Twitter following? Are they on Facebook and LinkedIn? Are they actively online during the day, talking with people they meet and readers? It’s a good sign.
If you have questions on how to find a blogger or social media strategist for your business, please see my About page for contact information or send me a Tweet!
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