Social Media Management for small businesses: As the business owner, should you manage them yourself or outsource to a professional?

Managing your Social Media demands significant time resources dedicated to the creation of quality content.

As a marketing consultant, I often get asked by small business owners whether they should manage their own social media accounts or hire a professional. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, there are pros and cons to consider when making this decision.

The Pros

One of the main advantages of managing your own social media accounts is cost savings. Hiring a professional can be expensive, and if you have a small budget, it may not be feasible. By managing your accounts yourself, you can save money and invest it in other areas of your business.

Another advantage is that no one knows your business better than you do. As a small business owner, you have a unique perspective and voice that can be hard for an outsider to replicate. Managing your social media accounts yourself can allow you to showcase your brand personality and connect with your audience on a more personal level.

The Cons

However, there are also some downsides to managing your own social media accounts. One of the biggest challenges is time. Social media requires a lot of attention, and it can be time-consuming to create and curate content, engage with followers, and analyze data. As a small business owner, your time is valuable, and managing social media can take away from other important tasks.

Another challenge is expertise. While you may know your business inside and out, you may not have the expertise to create a social media strategy, optimize posts for maximum engagement, or measure the effectiveness of your campaigns. This can lead to suboptimal results and missed opportunities.

Finally, there is a potential risk associated with the sub-optimal management of Social Media by a company. Low quality posts or possible mistakes in the communication with the audience can damage the company's reputation, and become the cause of negative reviews and possible loss of customers.

In conclusion, whether to manage your own social media accounts or hire a professional depends on your budget, time availability, and expertise. If you have the time and skills, managing your own social media can be a cost-effective way to showcase your brand personality and connect with your audience. However, if you have a budget and want to maximize your social media results, it may be worth hiring a professional, so that you can save your own time and focus on other business priorities.