Agency vs in-house social media team
Social media is a powerful tool for marketing your brand. As more businesses realise social media’s potential, they are trying to better their efforts. This means looking for the best talent to take their business to the next level online.
Some are doing this by increasing the size of their in-house marketing team while others are working with agencies that specialise in all things social media. There are advantages to working with an agency and having an in-house team but which is the better approach for your business?
Continue reading as we debate whether an agency or in-house social media team is better equipped to take your brand to the next level of success. We’ll also break down some of the misconceptions surrounding social media agencies and how to get the most out of working with them.
Which is better - a social media agency or an in-house team to grow your brand?
Both agencies and in-house social media teams have their own set of advantages. While it is much easier to access an in-house team, agencies live and breathe what they specialise in.
Moreover, they are often more affordable for brands to work with and can put more time and devotion into a brand. With all of this in mind, every business is different and you want to make sure you are getting the most for your buck while achieving your goals.
So, let’s look at the differences between an agency and an in-house team to determine which is the best avenue for you when it comes to all things social media marketing.
Expertise
As I mentioned before, agencies specialise in specific areas in that they usually have an incredible amount of expertise and experience. At Social Directions Agency, we specialise in both organic social media content creation and paid social media advertising. Our team is packed with individuals who love what they do and have years of experience in their respective fields.
Unlike in-house teams, we do not place all the responsibilities on one person. In order words, we have a designer to design the posts, a copywriter to write the captions, and a community manager to post the content and interact with the brand’s following. This makes a huge difference because no one team member is juggling multiple hats. As a result of this approach, we get better results for the client too. The reason? We have the perfect balance of the time we can devote to the client and experience and expertise in social media.
Time and devotion
Make it stand out
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Following on from the above point, agencies can provide you with more time and devotion. While a team member is present in the office, they often have a long to-do list to get through.
Meanwhile, a social media agency has several team members that manage accounts together. This makes it a stress-free engine where we can put the time and energy into making your brand industry-leading on your chosen social media platforms.
Money
Despite the size of your business, chances are you want to save money where you can. Agencies often get a reputation for being the more expensive route. However, in our case, our services cost less than one full-time marketing employee.
That means you can get an account manager, community manager, graphic designer, video editor, copywriter, and strategist for cheaper than hiring one full-time marketing team member that has to navigate all these different roles!
How to get the most out of working with a social media agency
Now that you know what to expect from working with both a social media agency and an in-house social media marketing team, let’s talk about how you can get the most out of working with an agency. Chances are, at this point, you will have decided which is the better option for your business.
If you have chosen agency, there are still some best practices for how to best collaborate with them. The first thing is to know your expectations. Ask yourself what you expect from engaging with a social media agency. Being solely on the hunt for sales and profit is not enough. For example, are you looking to build up a loyal following?
Alternatively, do you want to become a thought leader in your field and build a strong reputation for the products and/or services you are providing? Your expectations are what will underpin everything. Moreover, they are the first thing you will be asked about when the discussions with a social media agency get serious.
In the case of Social Directions Agency, understanding our client’s goals allows us to create a solid strategy that is results-driven. Another thing you should keep in mind when working with a social media agency is that you are not just handing off any social media responsibilities.
Our strongest clients are those who send us assets like videos and images, get involved in responding to followers, and want to be part of the social media journey. Therefore, getting involved is key for improving the quality of content output but also for maintaining the brand tone of voice and image online.
After all, you know your business best and what your customers want. Similarly, at Social Directions Agency, we also believe meeting frequently with our clients is key to their success on social media. You don’t have to put aside hours, even 30 minutes per month is adequate.
This will allow you to understand the results the agency is helping to bring. In addition, various insights could prove helpful in other areas of the business. For instance, what customers are asking about on social media. Overall, working with a social media agency should be seamless.
Summary
As a business owner who sees the potential of social media for brand growth and success, it can be difficult to decide how to tap into it. Some brands work solely with an in-house team while others outsource a social media agency.
Both have their advantages but ultimately, working with an agency like Social Directions Agency means unlocking expertise and experience, time and devotion, and saving money. If you want to really take your brand to the next level online, collaborating with an agency is the way forward.
Interested in getting started? We would be delighted to help you get the most out of organic and paid social media to make your business industry-leading.