I’ve been reading several articles and blog posts recently outlining the reasons you don’t need a social media consultant (ex. Why You Don’t Need Social Media Consultants). The crux of the argument is that social media all about common sense and courtesy, doing what comes naturally to anyone.
Ok, so knowing that, now you’re ready to launch your social media program! Ready, set, go!
What? You don’t feel ready? Oh… Ok. Let’s delve a little deeper, then.
We can afford to be glib because we’ve been working in the field for years, read the blogs and articles, in short we pay attention because this is our field. Sometimes it does feel that it boils down to doing what comes naturally, being smart about what you say, courteous, etc. We are immersed. It’s our job.
The question is, do you have the time or bandwidth to become immersed? To pay attention on a daily basis to the advances and changes in this particular corner of the marketing package? Before even that, do you know where to start with this whole thing? What tools to use and what to post or blog about? What approach is going to result in real value? How to you as a professional get to the point where are ready to talk about your company or efforts passionately, accurately and in a way that engages others?
Part 2 tomorrow: Where Social Media Consultants CAN Provide Value