4 Caveats For Your New Social Media Client. But at the same time, it’s vital to make sure that the new client is fully aware of the limitations of social media, and the slow processes that can sometimes be part of social media brand management. And warning new clients of the hurdles and issues that may be present on the road ahead only makes you a better social media agency. Because no one likes surprises in social media either. As soon as it becomes clear that some real work has to take place before results, the client tends to feel as if the agency has lied to them. Outline clearly the months of building ahead of the client, and the need to make sure that a body of work and some real engagement is necessary before any aspects of ROI are going to happen. It makes much more sense to be realistic, and if the client doesn’t buy what you’re selling, you’re actually saving yourself from a lot of pain and stress as unrealistic expectations are missed. But the responsible social media agency that is all about quality? And that means a realistic expectation around costs. Factor in the paid aspect to your fee, and make it clear that you will indeed be paying for advertising at some point in the process.
With social media being such an exciting and shiny landscape, it’s easy for new clients to get carried away. As a social media agency, it’s important, obviously, to create a sense of excitement and vision.
But at the same time, it’s vital to make sure that the new client is fully aware of the limitations of social media, and the slow processes that can sometimes be part of social media brand management. It’s only fair.
And warning new clients of the hurdles and issues that may be present on the road ahead only makes you a better social media agency. It makes you honest, and an agency that has clear integrity.
So take a look at the following four caveats that you will need to present any new client with. They should ground your client in reality, and go a long way towards building trust and reassurance into your relationship. After all, no one likes to feel like they aren’t respected. And getting these out of the way first will bring that respect. Because no one likes surprises in social media either.
The long haul is the true haul
It’s absolutely vital that you communicate to any new client that social media does take a lot of time to ‘bed in’ before real results become apparent. Many an agency has skirted around this issue just to get a client, but it never works in the long run.
As soon as it becomes clear that some real work has to take place before results, the client tends to feel as if the agency has lied to them. And if you’re not telling them what they need to hear (rather than what they want to hear), you are lying to them.
Make a point of giving the client realistic timelines. Be clear about the work that goes into setting up good profiles, or even just auditing the current ones. Outline clearly the months of building ahead of the client, and the need to make sure that a body of work and some real engagement is necessary before any aspects of ROI are going to happen.
It makes much more sense to be realistic, and if the client doesn’t buy what you’re selling, you’re actually saving yourself from a lot of pain and stress as unrealistic expectations are missed. By all means give them exciting timelines and if you’re able to work 24/7 to…
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