Many pieces of software or apps can help you manage your social media by allowing you to schedule your posts in advance, amongst other things. Social media management tools should not be confused with social media management in the outsourced sense of the word.
What is the purpose of Social media Management tools?
With an ever-increasing number of social media platforms being used to reach potential customers, being able to monitor, post and interact with what is happening on each “feed” efficiently and effectively becomes increasingly essential. This is precisely why social media management software/apps were created.
In addition to clients’ social media feeds, we have our own Not Another Marketing Agency feeds as well as other multiple platforms for creative work to monitor and interact with. Having to log in and out of apps to swap between clients would be both inefficient and ineffective. Social Media Management Software/platforms allow all the different feeds to be accessed from a central programme; there are several different options including HootSuite, Sprout Social and Buffer.
Each of which has its strengths and weaknesses. Our personal preference is Hootsuite Professional which we have been using for a good few years, it allows us to look after our feeds, and the social media feeds of our clients in a way that is displayed and convenient to use. However, it is not perfect, and one of our clients uses Buffer, which has some definite plus points.
Social Media Management software, whilst extremely useful, is not a replacement for a social media manager (or the job function within a wider role). It is a tool to allow them to do that part of their jobs more efficiently. The platform cannot provide a voice to your company, consider the risks and benefits of interactions, create or repurpose content or create and implement a strategy.
If you are considering outsourcing your Social Media Management, I have written a dedicated blog post. Social Media is regarded as an integral part of a strategic integrated marketing plan and should be given the approximate time and resources required to get it right.
