By Sitetrail Research Team 
Social media marketing is essential for any business looking to grow its customer base and increase engagement with its target audience. Unfortunately, there are a lot of unqualified “experts” out there who are taking advantage of small business owners who don’t know any better.
To get some expert insight on this topic, we talked to Tonya Sanchez, a Social Media Marketer at BlakSheep Creative in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Here’s what she had to say about the prevalence of unqualified social media marketers and what you can do to protect your business from them.
The Dangers Of Unqualified Marketers
According to Tonya, unqualified marketers can do more harm than good regarding social media marketing. She cautions that businesses should be wary of anyone who claims they can guarantee results or provide overnight success on social media platforms.
“Social media marketing is not a quick fix,” she explains. “It takes time and dedication.” Unqualified marketers may promise quick results but fail to deliver because they lack the knowledge or experience to effectively manage a company’s campaigns and accounts.
Another danger of working with an unqualified marketer is that they may not have the necessary training regarding data privacy laws and regulations.
This means that if something goes wrong—such as a breach of customer data—the business could face costly fines or even legal action if they’ve been negligent in managing their campaign properly.
What are the adverse effects of unqualified social media marketers?
Tonya says that the adverse effects of unqualified social media marketers can be far-reaching and include loss of customers, wasted time and money, potential legal issues due to data privacy violations, and damage to a company’s reputation.
For example, an unqualified marketer may use tactics that could violate a platform’s terms of service, leading to account suspensions or bans. They may also post content that reflects poorly on the company and turns off potential customers.
Or you could end up like Bang:
“What happened with Bang Energy was avoidable. They could have avoided a lawsuit altogether if they had known a few things about music and copyrights.” Tonya says.
Read this post at Reuters to learn more about the Bang Energy lawsuit and why some research could have prevented it.
How To Spot An Unqualified Marketer
Tonya advises businesses to check references before hiring someone who claims they’re an expert in social media marketing.
It’s also crucial for businesses to make sure that the person or agency they hire is familiar with the industry and platform-specific standards such as Facebook Ads Manager, Google Adwords, Twitter Ads Manager, etc., as well as best practices for creating content that will resonate with their target audience.
Additionally, Tonya reminds us that an experienced marketer should understand how different platforms work together—for example, how YouTube videos can be used in combination with other digital channels like email marketing—to create an effective strategy overall.
How Can Business Owners Protect Themselves?
Tonya recommends taking some simple steps to ensure you’re hiring qualified marketers:
• Ask for references. Make sure to check up on the previous work of any prospective marketers before you hire them.
• Set clear expectations. Outline exactly what you want the marketer to do and ensure they understand your goals so there are no surprises down the road.
• Get a contract in writing. This will protect you and the marketer from potential misunderstandings or legal issues.
• Know your budget. Establish a realistic budget for your social media marketing efforts, and ensure the marketer is aware of it so they can work within it to deliver results.
By taking these steps, businesses can protect themselves from unqualified marketers and ensure that their social media campaigns are managed professionally and effectively.
Ultimately, Tonya emphasizes the importance of finding experienced professionals who can help businesses reach their goals through successful social media marketing.
“It’s not worth it to rush into working with an unqualified marketer,” she says. “Take the time to do your research, and you’ll be glad you did.”
What makes for an excellent social media marketer?
According to Tonya, the best social media marketers understand their clients’ business objectives and tailor their strategies to those goals.
They should also be familiar with various platforms and how they work together to create an effective strategy across all channels. Additionally, she recommends looking for someone who is creative and understands how to create content that resonates with the target audience.
“Social media marketing is more than just posting on platforms,” she says. “It requires creativity, research, and an understanding of what your ideal customer looks like.”
Some skills that Tonya says are mandatory for any social media marketer include understanding analytics, having a good eye for design, and being able to adapt quickly to changing trends.
“It’s also important that they have an in-depth knowledge of the platforms they are managing,” she adds. “That way, they can identify potential issues before they become bigger problems.”
To learn more about skills that every social media marketer should possess, read Tonya’s recent blog post.
What separates BlakSheep Creative from other agencies?
According to Tonya, BlakSheep Creative stands out for its commitment to creating innovative and effective client solutions.
“We strive to stay ahead of the curve in terms of technology and trends,” she says. “Our team is passionate about delivering results that exceed our client’s expectations.”
The team also has a wide range of skills and experience in web design, search engine optimization (SEO), email marketing, content creation, and more.
“We use a collaborative approach to ensure that our clients get the most out of their social media campaigns,” Tonya explains.
BlakSheep Creative is also committed to staying up-to-date with the latest news and trends to provide its clients with the best possible advice and services.
“We make sure our team is always learning and evolving,” Tonya says. “That way, we’re able to offer our clients the most cutting-edge solutions.”
Finally, Tonya emphasizes the importance BlakSheep Creative puts on communication and transparency.
“Our team is always available to answer questions or provide advice,” she says. “We believe that an open line of communication helps create successful partnerships between us and our clients.”
What advice do you have for businesses looking to hire a social media marketer?
Tonya advises businesses to look for marketers who have experience in relevant industries and can provide evidence of success.
“It’s important that the marketer understands your goals and challenges,” she says. “And they should be able to show you how their past campaigns have helped other businesses reach their objectives.”
She also recommends asking potential marketers for references and doing research. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions,” she says. “It’s important that you find someone who is the right fit for your business.”
Finally, Tonya emphasizes the importance of having an open line of communication with your social media marketer.
“It’s essential that you and the marketer are on the same page,” she says. “Be sure to talk regularly and keep them updated on any changes in your business or industry.”
By hiring a qualified social media marketer, businesses can rest assured that their campaigns will be managed by a professional who understands the complexities of social media marketing.
Tonya Sanchez is a valuable asset to BlakSheep Creative’s team and offers her insight into what businesses should look for in a social media marketer. With her advice, companies can rest assured that their campaigns will be managed by an experienced and qualified professional.
By following Tonya’s lead, businesses can ensure that their social media campaigns are in capable hands and have a greater chance of success. This will also help them avoid the harmful effects of unqualified marketers and get the results they’re looking for.
With the proper knowledge and guidance, any business can succeed with its social media marketing efforts.
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Digital Editor