Can a Social Media Coach Help You?
Starting your business online, or even moving an existing business into the online space, is a pretty scary task! In fact, there are so many different types of software and social media platforms that you need to learn like now that it’s easy to become so overwhelmed you just give up! There is hope, however. You need to find a Social Media Coach!
Maybe you’re just looking into selling via Facebook or Instagram, so you start with Google to find out what you need to know. You get a loooong list of coaches, consultants, programs, courses, webinars, and so on. Each one promises the moon, and most of them don’t even deliver a few fireworks.
Too Many Options…
Create a consistent Instagram grid! Build a strong Pinterest board collection! Run ads on Facebook! So many choices!!
And there is the problem…too many options to choose from. The more you research, the harder it is to tell the difference between different coaches, consultants, packages, etc.
While it’s true that a good Social Media Coach will help you grow your business much faster than you can on your own, don’t make the mistake of just hiring someone blindly. It’s too easy to get caught up in pretty graphics and suave net-speak if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for.
6 questions you should ask any social media consultant BEFORE you hire her:
Most consultants will have this info easily available on their websites, but if one doesn’t, don’t hesitate to reach out and ask before you hire her!
1. Can you guarantee results?
If someone is guaranteeing specific results…RUN the other way! No one can guarantee specific sales results.
What they should be offering instead is the promise of tools, education, and support, not ethereal promises of amazingness! It’s the consultant’s job to educate you and provide you with the right tools to implement what you’ve been taught, and if they are promising more, you should be a little suspicious.
Once you have great content, a firm grasp on your target market, and you understand how to talk to your ideal client, there is no reason you won’t receive amazing results. But your consultant CANNOT guarantee it – because it involves a wild card they can’t control. You.
Look instead for testimonials from previous clients who are happy with the work they have done and the help they received!
2. Can you speak English, Please?
Watch out for social media jargon. A true expert won’t resort to techy jargon and impressive words to convince you that they know what they’re talking about.
If a potential consultant is using words and phrases that you don’t understand and you have to ask them to translate frequently, they may not be the right fit for you.
3. Do you HAVE a website?
A website is standard fare for an online business. If a consultant you are considering working with doesn’t have a website set up, they may not be very serious about their business, or they may not be as experienced as they’d like you to believe!
4. How are you different?
Ask them what sets their training style apart from anyone else. Pretty much anybody could teach you how to create a Facebook ad, or how to post on Instagram. All it takes is time, a computer, and internet connection.
Will they actually teach you the psychology behind the things they teach you to do? Will they share with you how to understand what your chosen audience wants to see? Do they even know who your target audience is and where they hang out?
Seriously ask what systems and philosophy set them apart and make them a better choice than their competition!
5. What are your benchmarks for success?
Every SM platform is different and has different limitations and offerings. Different types of people use each different platform. This all means that no matter how stellar your ads are or spectacular your images are, if you’re not reaching the right people, you have a problem!
Make sure that vanity metrics are not the consultant’s primary benchmarks for success. Lots of followers on Instagram? Great!! But…do those followers convert to paying clients and customers? That’s the real question here!
Make sure that vanity metrics are not the consultant’s primary benchmarks for success. Lots of followers on Instagram? Great!! But…do those followers convert to paying clients and customers? That’s the real question here!Click To Tweet6. What kind of support do you provide?
Many coaches and consultants provide regular one on one coaching during the extent of the program you sign up for, but don’t provide continued one on one support after the program is over.
Many instead offer premium support groups with monthly fees or peer support groups for free. Or, they may not have any ongoing support options at all!
If you have a preference for what kind of support you are getting in the long run, make sure you ask this question!
You Can’t Do This Alone!
Way to go for taking a huge step in growing your business – looking for help! Deciding to tackle the online world of small business is not easy, but I’m here to help you. If you need one on one support and coaching, don’t hesitate to schedule a call right here.
If you’d like to join an amazing community of like-minded entrepreneurs, the #ThinkSocial Society is the place to be! Weekly coaching on a variety of social media platforms, in-depth training each month, and a wide variety of small business owners, entrepreneurs, direct sales consultants, and more providing community support and loads of love.