Why Start-Ups Need to Manage Their Own Social Media

As a social media strategist I love igniting the conversation on social media for my clients and their audience. While I look for new clients, I am hesitant to take on start-up businesses. I used to do it and it’s just not a good fit for me anymore. I truly believe start-ups need to manage their own social media. 

As a start-up business you are shaping the mission, vision, values, products and services of your organization. You are figuring out how big – or small – your endeavor will be. 

Start-ups need time to develop as a business before a social media strategist is needed. 

They need to develop a following and reputation for their product or service. This is done best, at least in my opinion and experience, through grassroots efforts. 

Convert friends to fans 

Collect email addresses for e-newsletters. This can be done through a simple website call to action. You can also ask your current email list of friends and family to subscribe or announce your project to them via e-newsletter. 

Ask your following to like and follow your business on social media and share with their friends and following. 

Share exciting and engaging messages on social media. Make people interested in what you are doing by telling them how it benefits them or the community. 

Target Marketing 

Begin social media efforts as a start-up by following quality businesses and leaders in your industry. You know best who you need to be following. You know who you want to reach and with whom you want to work. You have done the market research and can best begin the social media process. 

You don’t need a social media strategist to tell you who you should follow because you’re the expert. 

Develop the Business

When your business is making money and has an established social media following, it is time to hire a social media strategist. We can help you continue to develop your online brand. 

Until your business is developed – clear identified target client and product or services – you don’t need us to help you with social media. And we don’t want you. 

Cynthia Cavoto is the Founder of Firebrand Social Media bringing social media solutions to businesses. She and her team ignite the online fire for businesses to establish and build an online audience on a variety of social media platforms. She can be reached at cynthia@firebrandsocialmedia.com.