When organic reach declines and engagement algorithms confuse, the experience of finding a social media agency for you can be your guide. Agencies are data-driven strategists, expert content creators, and skilled engagement specialists. They can turn your stagnant online presence into a magnetic force that fosters lasting loyalty to your brand.
What to look for in a social media agency
To get the most out of this collaboration, you need to find the agency that best fits your specific goals.
To do this, there are some key aspects you should focus on:
Ability
Cultural compatibility
Experience
Passion
Affordability
When an agency meets all of these points, you are on the right track. Here's how to evaluate whether an agency meets your criteria:
1. What do your case studies show?
Case studies are a social media agency’s portfolio. They showcase past successes and how they achieved them, and agencies love to show them off.
In addition to looking at the quality of the agency, you’ll look at the metrics they prioritize. If they’re getting great results on the metrics you care about, they’re likely a good fit for you.
At The Social Shepherd , we are a results-driven social media agency, so most of our case studies focus on ROI and revenue growth. If you’re interested in metrics like “reach,” then you’ll probably want to look elsewhere.
2. Who are you working with?
Their current client portfolio can say a lot about what they can do for you. Let’s say you own a bakery that sells cakes and all of the agency’s clients are bodybuilding brands. They’re probably not the best fit for you. However, if an agency has worked with clients in your industry, they’ll have a deeper understanding of your customers’ pain points and desires, increasing the likelihood that they’ll achieve your goals.
This doesn't mean that agencies that don't specialize in your industry aren't suitable. Many focus on getting results in a specific area of social media marketing rather than a particular industry. It all depends on your goals and the services you need to achieve them.
3. What do your social profiles look like?
They may say they know what they're doing, but do they show it? Appearance matters, and a social profile is a way for an agency to showcase their expertise in real time. Are they engaging with well-crafted content? Or does it look a little lackluster and more like something thrown together?
If their profiles are well maintained and relevant, they will likely put just as much effort, if not more, into yours. Plus, they will have a better idea of what kind of content to create and publish for you.
4. Check out their blog
A social media agency's blog can provide deep insight into its ideas and processes.
Explore their posts. Do they demonstrate thought leadership and specific expertise? mongolia business email list Or are they generic and uninteresting? Like a social profile, the effort put into a company blog can give you a clear idea of what you can expect from an agency.
5. Do you have recognition or awards in the industry?
Perhaps the ultimate social proof, awards show that an agency is recognised and celebrated by industry experts. Agencies receive awards for exceptional campaign results, innovative thinking and continued excellence.
Check to see if the agency you are interested in has won awards and, most importantly, who awarded them.
6. Do their values align with yours?
Collaborating with an agency that shares the same values and causes as you will lead to a smoother and more productive relationship. If your values are at odds, you will likely face difficulties.
An agency will likely mention its values on its website. But to better understand them, see if these values are present in their case studies, content, client portfolio, and the overall tone of voice they use.
Questions you should ask before hiring a social media agency
To make an informed decision about whether or not to hire a social media agency, you first need to get to know them well. Here are some questions to help you determine if they're the best fit for your business:
Who will I work with?
Get to know the team. It’s important to understand who will be managing your account and whether you’ll have a dedicated point of contact. Building a good relationship with the agency team can make a big difference in how they represent your brand.
What do I need to provide?
Figure out what materials and information you need to provide. This could include brand guides, logos, photos, and access to your existing social media accounts. Knowing this in advance will help you prepare and ensure a smooth onboarding process.
How do you develop content for social media?
Ask about their content creation process. Do they have in-house designers and writers or do they outsource? Understanding their process will give you an idea of the quality and consistency you can expect from your posts.
How do you develop a social media strategy?
A good agency should have a clear strategy development process. They should take the time to understand your business goals, target audience, and industry before creating a custom strategy. Make sure their approach aligns with your vision and goals.
What key metrics will you measure?
Ask what key performance indicators (KPIs) they track to measure success. Common metrics include engagement rates, follower growth, website traffic, and conversions. This will help you understand how they define and measure success.
Will I be able to see posts before they are published?
It’s important to know if you’ll have the opportunity to review and approve content before it’s published. This ensures that all posts align with your brand’s voice and message.
