The fine line between social media and marketing is becoming thinner by the second, which is why it’s increasingly important for your company to market to the social masses. But, what kind of qualifications should your company look for in a marketer for both the social arena and otherwise?
With marketing know-how in mind, here are a number of things to consider when hiring a marketing professional:
Marketing Statistics
As technology changes, companies are changing the way they market in order to keep up with the digital times. According to the AT&T Small Business Poll, 66% of small businesses are increasing their digital marketing budgets for 2014. If you want to keep your business in the running, then it’s important to have a digital marketing presence.
Not only do a large percentage of consumers research their next purchase online, but according to the same poll, a whopping 98% of businesses are taking advantage of mobile marketing, which means digital marketing is definitely growing in popularity.
Hiring Tips
Marketing is a full-time job that requires 9 to 5 attention and dedication. If you’re in search of a marketing professional for your company, there are some prerequisites you should look for in order to find the most qualified candidate:
- Strategy is Essential – Whether you’re looking for a social media marketer or a jack-of-all-trades marketing professional, they must have a solid strategy from day one. A tactical marketer is important, but with no ongoing strategy, they’re tactile efforts won’t be effective.
- Hire Based on Expertise, Not Popularity – Just because a marketer has a popular social media profile doesn’t mean that person is an expert in marketing. So, if you are hiring a social marketer, make sure their marketing skills and expertise match their social skills.
- Analyzing is a Must – There are a number of ways how mastering social media can turn into a career and one of which is social analytics. If you want a true marketer for your company, then you need to choose someone who understands SEO and website analytics. After all, taking an analytical approach to marketing will help improve results.
Individual vs. Team Marketing
The size of your marketing department largely depends on the size of your company. With that said, an individual marketing professional may add unique specialization to specific areas or your company’s campaigning, but might miss the mark when it comes to overall marketing outreach.
Likewise, a team of marketers might cover all areas of marketing, from social media marketing to general advertisements, but the team could lack on a personal level. So, it’s important know what your company is trying to achieve with its marketing before you hire.
In-House vs. Outsourced Marketing
Another factor to consider when hiring a marketer for your company is whether you want to create an in-house position or outsource your marketing needs to a full-service company. Again, each option comes with its pros and cons.
An in-house marketer will provide your company with immediate, direct service as well as a personal working relationship. But, creating an in-house position may present some budgetary issues.
On the other hand, outsourcing your company’s marketing might give you an all-inclusive, affordable marketing option, but at the cost of working with a marketing professional on a personal level.
By keeping in mind the tips above, you’ll find the perfect marketer for your company the first time around.
About the Author: Adam Groff is a freelance writer and creator of content. He writes on a variety of topics including business budgeting and the environment.
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