
Preparing for a social media consultation ~ The Importance
Preparing for a social media consultation is just as important as your social media efforts, which is why most people are so unprepared when they meet with us. I recently got an inquiry from someone I met in one of my many classes I teach and I offered to meet with them to help hone in on where their efforts should be focused. A few days ago I received a Facebook private message from them with 3 documents attached. I downloaded the documents and read them over a cup o’ joe in the morning. I was blown away at how incredibly prepared this client was. They are prepared to not just meet with me, but prepared to win and with a warriors heart. I have so much information on this client including background, strengths, weaknesses, and most of all their passion. I know and fully understand the why behind their product. That is incredible! It is also incredibly exciting for me! I learned and began to believe their why, I understand the marketplace in which they are trying (and will I might add) dominate. I understand their competitors and what they offer and I can see how their passion will override any product out there. I can see clearly what their vision is of success and what they would like to happen in the digital space. That is where I come in, they just don’t know where to start and how to get there.
Respect the process
I am currently going through a transformation of our business where we are saying no to projects that don’t fit our area of expertise, I am trying to better manage our schedules to be more efficient. I have turned down several offers and clients in the past few weeks and am finding it hard to fit in the consultations. Well, what a breath of fresh air when I got this information from the client. It showed me that they value my time, they value my expertise and they value me. Yep, I want to work with that client, no doubt. Not only do I want to work with them, I want to watch them succeed and be amazing. That is so inspiring! I appreciated not only their dedication to their product and their success but the respect for my time is what really inspired me.
What should you do?
So what does it all mean? Am I saying that I don’t want to take on new clients? No, not at all. Am I saying that if you aren’t prepared then I won’t meet with you? Nope, not that either. What I am saying is that you will get such a better result if you actually take your meeting with someone you want to manage your brand and social media online much more serious than just a quick meeting where you ask for social media management pricing information. I want to help you, but you have to want the help, not just the relief of knowing it is done. I can’t tell you how many times I say to someone in our office ~
“I can’t care about their business more than they do” 
When you do take the time to realize that you need to outsource your social media and hire someone to do it be prepared! Here are a few tips and questions to ask yourself before you meet with someone or an agency to handle your brand in the digital landscape. *Side note, if you have these questions prepared and the agency or person looks at you like you are crazy and pulls out a rate card – RUN! RUN BABY RUN!!!
- Who are you and why did you decide to start (product line, service, etc)
- Do you have a personal attachment to this? What is your passion?
- Why would consumers care about your product and what is the feedback you have received so far?
- What does the competitor market look like?
- What do you know about the digital landscape? (you don’t have to know everything, that is what we are here for)
- What digital successes have you had so far?
- What is your 3 year plan or goal for your company/product? (yes 3 years because social media and digital media take time)
- How comfortable are you personally in the digital space? (social media, search engines, etc)
- What have you done to make sure your business is successful besides just meeting with me?
In Conclusion
Meeting with a social media manager or a digital manager is time and time is money. Get your poop in a group and make the most of it. I love helping people and I love watching their business grow, but more importantly I love meeting with people who value my time and respect my profession. It inspires me to want to work hard for them and be a digital honey badger. If you read this and think, I want help! I want to get off my bum and quit hoping and start doing then we should talk. Be a warrior, have a warriors heart and let’s discuss your success and what it looks like in the digital world. Fill out this form for a free consultation and watch what can happen with your brand.