This is by far one of the most important decisions that you will make when it comes to your social media, and the success of the outcome is dependant on how thought out your decision making process is.
Hiring a coach, getting some group coaching or using a self-paced programme are all ways that you can learn how to do your socials for yourself, and well, as a social media coach I am a bit biased about the value of a coach.
However, we must acknowledge that every business gets to a stage where you need to outsource stuff. Eventually, your socials will be one of these, and that is a great thing as it means your business has grown.
What I see happen 95% of the time is that people want to outsource from a lack mentality, they think they cannot do socials themselves, they can’t learn it and it’s just too hard.
Well, love, I say call the wah-bulance cause if a toddler can learn how to use a smartphone before they can speak you can master socials.
The real question is do you want to do the work?
If the answer is no and you can invest in a social media manager then go for it! But remember that hiring a social manager is just that, an investment, it is an ongoing relationship with someone who is marketing your baby for you.
Hiring a manager does NOT mean wiping your hands of socials for good, you still need to have a clear strategy, a clear business plan and know where you want your socials to take you. While a pro can guide you in the right direction and help you create magic online if you lack the skills to produce magic social pixie dust, they still need you to be involved in the process.
Social Media Marketing is one of the most powerful tools to market your business around, and for the most part, it is FREE. Which is why I believe that a lot of people don’t see investing in your socials something they need to pay for.
And while you can get by with downloading freebies and googling ‘What does the Facebook algorithm mean’ if you are not a natural at marketing your biz then girlfriend…… You needs the help!
There is a clear cut purpose for having a coach or a manager for your socials and we are going to explore that now so you can decide once and for all which one you need. So you can take action now to having killer socials that will blow your business up online!
A SOCIAL MEDIA COACH – WHY HIRE ONE
One of the best things about social media coaching is that it gives you longevity, meaning that once you get taught to ride the bike of managing your own socials it’s a skill that will last you forever.
That saying ‘Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime’ applies here. 100%
You just need to get over the social speed wobbles first.
There is so much value in YOU being the master that drives your social wagon. You know your business better than anyone, you can be in control of what you produce, you know what your audience and clients need the most.
Also, it is by far the cheaper option for those that are budget conscious. Investing in a course, programme or coaching package is not something you need to invest in every month ongoing there is normally a timeline for it. Where management is a monthly cost that can fluctuate if you need to add on extras like Facebook Ads for example.
What are some of the ways you can invest in coaching?
There are a few ways you can invest in coaching and there is always something for someone at every level of competency, stage of business and budget.
FREEBIES
There are literally millions of freebies out there. Downloadable PDF’s, free webinars, Facebook Groups, free coaching programmes. You can really learn a lot of value from these and are great if you are just starting out to get your whistle wet.
PSST……You can see all my freebies here including free coaching courses! CHECK EM OUT!
BUT and this is a huge but! You can only get so far with freebies. While all coaches will give a lot of value away for free, even stuff they should be paying for, there is a limit to what a coach can justify giving away without a value exchange back. AKA payment.
SELF PACED COURSES
Now a good self-paced course is a great investment for someone who thinks they have some cred when it comes to marketing, perhaps you have a natural flair, and can learn on your own and implement new skills. Most self-paced courses will come with a Facebook Group or email access for asking questions, but mostly they are exactly what they say they are self-paced.
The other great thing about self-paced is that if you are someone that fits the bill for this then it is also a really budget-friendly option. Any coach will charge a premium fee for one on one coaching so a self-paced course takes this out and just leaves you with the content to do as you will.
Hey….. learning on my couch in my PJ’s with a coffee without the premium price tag. Sign me up buttercup!
Personally, I am a HUGE self-paced learner I love being able to do it in my own time. Which is why a huge part of my business plan is creating self-paced learning for my peeps in The Social Hub Online School.
The con to self-paced is that if you are NOT someone that can learn and implement on your own then you will just get overwhelmed and not understand the content. So be sure to decide if this is for you.
GROUP COACHING AND WORKSHOPS
Group coaching is the bomb! It is just so much fun. If you are someone who loves to meet new people, make new friends and be part of the gang then group coaching and workshops are for you.
What’s not to love? Someone facilitating your learning, your professional there to guide and support you and other like-minded business women. And these days you can do this online and in person, it’s so versatile.
I am definitely very biased, I have love heart eyes for group coaching, I LOVE facilitating my Group Workshops, it’s actually my fave. Maybe it’s the Libran in me, I am a bit of a party girl so it ticks so many boxes lol.
What I would recommend is this when looking for group coaching or workshops to attend: Is it going to be full of people at the same stage as you? For eg. If you don’t even know what SEO is going to a 5 day intensive advanced SEO course is not going to help you. Finding a workshop that starts at the beginner level or has a basics component is probably going to be better value.
If you get lost in the crowd because everyone is too advanced for you OR not advanced enough it is not the best investment.
Also, what is the value you walk away with? So are you going to be note-taking and listening or doing actual work?
Decide what is best for you, if you need a workshop where you are facilitated through taking real action then don’t sign up for a 2-hour event where someone talks at you.
You want to get the best value for your spend so choose your workshops wisely, they can be a great dollar saver as opposed to one on one so long as it’s worthwhile. Don’t just register for all the cheap events and spend $1500 in 3 months when you could have invested that in a fully self-paced programme or premium coaching programme.
ONE ON ONE COACHING & PREMIUM COACHING COURSES
This is by far the most valuable spend you can make in coaching. There is a reason that premium coaching is called a premium service….. it knocks the others out of the park in terms of getting 100% coaching applied to your business.
Where the other forms of coaching you either need to take the knowledge and apply it yourself or be part of a group. With these, you are going it alone or have to share the coach. Where premium coaching gives you 100% undivided attention, help, love, assistance, strategy basically everything of the coach.
Which means that you can cover more in 3 hours one on one than you could spending 10-20 hours doing a self-paced course. The value of having the expert right there in front of you giving you sole coaching for your business is honestly, priceless.
Most coaches will have an hourly rate or block coaching you can purchase and/or a premium course. A premium course will usually be a blend of online tutorials with coaching so you get the content AND the coaching.
These courses are gold as you keep the content and can refer back to it anytime. PLUS they normally are a time-bound programme like 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 3 months etc.
These options are an investment and you need to be prepared to do the work, you will pay a premium fee but you will get premium service and a premium outcome.
ALSO when you’re a premium client the coach will always go over and above what they commit to, they love on you, treat you like a bestie and do more than just what is outlined in the coaching block.
The amount of times I have helped coaching clients in my Social Superstar Formula or other premium offer do something they didn’t hire me to do is endless. Like helping them design content in Canva, checking their Facebook Ads for them, looking at the back end of their Facebook Page for something (yes I am an admin on that many client’s pages it’s not even funny!)
These programmes carry with them a price tag that reflects the value, so my suggestion is that you weigh up what you would spend attending and downloading a bunch of cheaper options. If you think it’s in the same ballpark then go straight to the top babe! Most coaches will happily discuss a payment option to help people, especially if it’s a 6-week programme or longer as you will be working together for a little while.
BONUS TIPS FOR HIRING A COACH
Decide what YOU need that will serve your business. Don’t worry about the programme your next door neighbour Sally did worry about what you need and find a coach that can provide that.
Don’t decide on price, if that is your biggest driver then you will more than likely not choose what is best for you. Find what you need and if it’s out of your price range contact the coach and see what you can arrange with them. You will be surprised how many will be happy to accommodate and find a solution to help you.
A SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER – WHY HIRE ONE?
If you are at that point you just can’t possibly learn how to do your socials then you’ll need to look at hiring a social media manager.
HINT HINT: Handing your socials off to the youngest person in your office is not hiring a manager, that person may need coaching in which case re-read the first part of this blog!
Here is what you want to look for when doing so:
- How many people are on their books? If they say 100 and they are a one man band…..RUN! No-one can possibly manage 100 clients well. If they have a team of managers and have 100 that’s ok.
- What examples of their work can you see? Now you don’t need to see 20 portfolios, just 1 or 2 will show you if their work aligns with your brand and brand voice.
- Reviews – Do they have any and what do they say?
- Package inclusions. What is included in their packages? What do you actually need? Look for things like included engagement, reporting, regular catch ups and review process, social audits, content/image creation, video editing, writing blogs.
When looking for someone to manage your Facebook Ads campaign get a clear picture of what is included in creating and managing that campaign.
Most social managers will have a few packages they can offer you or even create one for you so don’t always think what is on their website is the only packages they have. It always pays to ask.
THE BIGGEST THING TO CONSIDER WHEN HIRING A MANAGER
- Do they resonate with you?
- Do they have a good understanding of your brand and brand voice?
- Can they relate to your audience?
- Do they understand your audience?
- Will your audience think it’s you talking?
You don’t need to hire the most popular social manager just the one that gets you, that could even be someone new to the scene! So long as they do a good job for you, that is all that matters.
THINGS TO NOTE
Being a social media manager is not just ‘doing your posts for you’
Your social manager is someone who is living and breathing your business just like you. They will have a passion, an ownership and desire to bring what you do to life, just like you.
It’s also an ongoing contract, which means a monthly expense, the more inclusions the more your price tag as ….. IT IS WORK!
A good social manager is an investment, just like a good laptop or your internet provider. It has to work for you.
Also, you can’t just wash your hands of your marketing, you still need to be involved in the process, the strategy and the outcome. It’s a business RELATIONSHIP like your accountant is.
FINAL THOUGHTS FROM STACEY
Whether you are going to invest in coaching or management, make sure it’s the right investment. BOTH are an amazing way to get your socials killing it.
Like any business decision weigh up the pros and cons, the time, the cost, the value and most of all the outcome you will get. Make sure what you will receive from this is going to be what is going to move your business forward!
If you are still confused about what the heck to do with moving your socials forward then book a FREE Social Catch-Up and we can hash it out on the phone.
![Ok before you shoot the [unpopular] messenger, hear me out.
Working on your mindset, limiting beliefs and trauma are all things you should do, and they WILL make you a better human.
Which in turn is a better version of yourself that can show up for your business.
BUT a business problem, cannot 100% be solved with a mindset solution.
You need BOTH a good mindset and a good strategy.
For example: You're not making enough money in your business.
Yes, you need a good money mindset and positive money behaviours.
But you also need the right skills to determine where the leak is occurring.
❓ Is it a lack of leads? Then you need to look at your acquisition funnel to acquire new leads.
❓ Is it low conversion rates? Then you need to look at your conversion process and find the gap there.
❓ Is it an expenditure problem? Perhaps you didn't need to join those 5 masterminds at 5k a pop.
Or maybe it's something else entirely, your offer, you pricing or your messaging to name a few.
These issues cannot be solved by saying MORE affirmations and listening to MORE podcasts, they require analysis and strategy.
This is [obviously] a very nuanced topic, one I can't delve into in ONE post, so I am going to go deeper on this in next weeks pod.
So you can have your cake 🎂 and eat it too. 😋
[And by cake I mean a thriving business with a killer strategy while still working on your personal growth too]](https://thesocialhubau.com/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)
Hi Stacy,
Such a wonderful content filled with Social Media, Coaching and who should take up what? Finally, it is up to the user to decide what would suit him/her. I was in a dilemma before, thinking should I be going with a self-paced kit or not. You have addressed all the points and made things very clear to me. And, I firmly believe in this “The value of having the expert right there in front of you giving you sole coaching for your business is honestly, priceless.”
I even liked the way you summarized everything like the small little HINTS and the things to keep in mind.
Currently, I am focusing and working on SEO. I will be diving into SMM after tightening all the gears of SEO.
Very well written, thanks for sharing what was on your mind. This has helped me in fact, it has made me aware of what to do next.