Nearly all our clients tell us they want to maintain an ongoing presence on social media to engage with customers and constituents.
But what does that mean in terms of manpower?
Nonprofit Tech for Good, a group that helps nonprofit organizations master new media, recently posted these recommendations:
- Facebook: 3 hours weekly
- Twitter: 5 hours weekly
- Pinterest/Graphic Design: 5 hours weekly
- YouTube/Video: 2 hours weekly
- LinkedIn: 2 hours weekly
- Blogging: 5-10 hours weekly
- Experimentation with new tools such as Instagram, Snapchat, Google+, Tumblr, Kickstarter, etc.: 5 Hours Weekly
- Research, reporting and strategy: 3 hours weekly
- Website and e-newsletter content: 5 hours weekly
That totals about 40 hours a week. A fulltime job.
If you’re serious about social media, you have two choices. You can hire a dedicated fulltime employee, or you can outsource it it to a group that specializes in social media management (like Allied Pixel.) Like most things in life, there are pros and cons to each.
Hiring an employee gives you a lot of control, but it can be expensive. And having a single person manage everything may limit what you can do. No one is great at everything.
Outsourcing the work can bring a wealth of capabilities, but it too can get expensive.
There is a third way, which is a blend of the first two. Some of the work can be done by internal staff, and some of it through an outside firm. This seems to make a lot of sense, and is the model we use with several of our clients.
The main point I’d like to make is this: Social media is a real commitment, if you want to do it right. If you need some help, we’re here for you.