When you decide to outsource your social media marketing, don’t choose the first provider you see. There are guidelines to follow to ensure the third party company is reliable and delivers great results. This marketing strategy is different from commonly outsourced jobs like graphic design and content creation, so follow these rules to reach your Internet marketing goals.

Do’s of Choosing a Social Media Outsourcing Company

1. Ask for references. Everywhere on the Internet, there are Internet marketing experts who claim to be gurus, and many of them actually have an impressive track record. Request a list of their clients to study their quality of work and ask those clients regarding the service provider’s performance. If the company says no to your request, move on with the next.

2. Select a provider that’s an expert at engaging audiences and boosting brand awareness, not only at gathering followers and posting links on Facebook or Twitter.

3. Orient the service provider. Discuss how your business works so that the social media strategies work harmoniously with your brand.

4. Keep tabs on your profiles. Make sure you have access to the accounts they create and forbid them to run profiles you’re unaware of. Log in to these accounts once in a while and check all outgoing and incoming messages. Or better yet, create the accounts yourself so you have access to passwords, security codes, and emails used to create the profiles. Be clear about telling them not to spam.

5. Make sure the company focuses on your prospects and target audience. It’s a waste of time and money if they go for random people who aren’t interested in your business.

Don’ts of Outsourcing Social Media

1. Don’t choose the cheapest option. You could risk your business’ reputation if you rely on a social media outsourcing company with below par communication and research skills. Avoid providers with English comprehension skills that could compromise your reputation.

2. Create a schedule for report submission. Don’t wait until the end of the month to receive reports about the project’s progress. Ask for progress reports more often than that, like once a week.

3. Don’t hire industry-specific providers. If they fail to target your niche, they will fail at impressing and engaging your prospects and customers. They should also have a good understanding of social media and multiple platforms.

4. Don’t start your campaign without analytics. Metrics allow you to measure your progress so you can identify what needs improvement, what works, and what strategies to apply. Detailed data also helps you make informed decisions.

5. Don’t leave out anything in writing. A well-written, comprehensive contract lays out all the responsibilities and obligations of each party. You can also state ownership of assets and extent of control.

Deciding to manage everything internally or hiring a social media outsourcing company is entirely up to you, but if you already have a social network service provider or are thinking of hiring one, this guide will be your road map.