This guide is addressed to everyone:
- People offering services as consultants/managers
- People looking to hire one of them
We’re here to explain why both of these are completely unique.
Together, we’ll break down the differences.
Let’s go.
Differences: SM Consulting vs Management
| Feature | Consulting | Management |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Strategy & Analysis – Big picture thinking, recommending best practices, analyzing results | Execution & Engagement – Implementing strategy, creating content, posting, responding to comments |
| Scope of work | Short-term engagements – Audits, strategy development, training workshops | Ongoing, daily tasks – Content creation, scheduling, community management, reporting |
| Deliverables | Reports, recommendations, action plans – Advice on how to improve social media efforts | Content, engagement, growth, reports – Active management of social media accounts |
| Client involvement | High-level collaboration – Clients provide input and goals, consultant delivers recommendations | Close collaboration – Ongoing communication and feedback needed from clients |
| Expertise required | Deep understanding of social media trends, best practices, and analytics | Strong skills in content creation, community management, and social media tools |
| Cost | Hourly or project-based fees – Can be higher due to specialized expertise | Monthly retainer or hourly fees – Can be more cost-effective for ongoing management |
| Benefits | Unbiased perspective, fresh ideas, access to industry expertise | Time-saving, consistent social media presence, brand voice consistency |
If that wasn’t clear enough… No worries!
We’ll now break it all down.
1. What Is Social Media Consulting?
Social media consulting involves providing businesses and organizations with expert advice and recommendations on how to improve their social media presence and achieve their marketing goals. Consultants act as strategic partners, guiding clients through the complexities of the social media landscape.
Services included
- Social media audits: Assess current performance and identify areas for improvement.
- Strategy development: Create a tailored roadmap for achieving social media goals.
- Content creation: Develop engaging and effective content across platforms.
- Community management: Engage with followers, respond to comments, and build relationships.
- Campaign execution: Launch and manage social media campaigns for specific objectives.
- Training and workshops: Educate clients on social media best practices and tools.
If you’re considering social media consulting, carefully assess your needs and goals to find a consultant who can provide the right expertise and support.
2. What Is Social Media Management?
Social media management involves the day-to-day execution and maintenance of your online presence across various social media platforms.
It’s more about the implementation side of things, compared to consulting which focuses on strategy and advice.
Services included
- Content calendar planning and execution: Develop a consistent content flow across platforms.
- Community engagement: Respond to comments and messages, answer questions, and participate in conversations.
- Social media listening and monitoring: Track brand mentions and industry trends.
- Reporting and analytics: Provide insights on performance and campaign effectiveness.
- Paid advertising management: Set up, manage, and optimize paid social media campaigns.
Management can be in-house (hiring a social media manager) or outsourced to an agency or freelancer. Costs can vary depending on the scope of work, platform complexity, and team size.
Conclusion
While social media consultants offer expert advice and strategize your online presence, they don’t roll up their sleeves to create content or run your daily interactions.
On the other hand, social media managers are the hands-on players, crafting your posts, interacting with your audience, and keeping your social media channels bustling. Choose a consultant for a fresh roadmap, or a manager to turn that plan into reality.
Thank you for reading this,
Team AgencyReviews
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