A Small Business Owner‘s Guide to Social Media Marketing Services

As an entrepreneurship consultant who assists numerous small and medium-sized business owners, I‘m often asked about the value of hiring social media marketing companies like BuySocialMediaMarketing. There are certainly pros and cons to consider with services that promise to boost your Instagram followers and engagement. In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share my perspective to help you make an informed decision.

A Closer Look at BuySocialMediaMarketing

According to its website, BuySocialMediaMarketing offers Instagram follower growth services using "safe practices." However, it‘s likely that bot farms or inauthentic accounts are used, which violate platform guidelines. As a business owner, you need to thoroughly vet companies to ensure sustainable, compliant growth tactics are leveraged.

BuySocialMediaMarketing claims to help brands:

  • Get Instagram followers and likes: Specific techniques used aren‘t shared publicly, but likely entail bot networks or purchasing fake engagement. This can pose risks long-term.
  • Run influencer campaigns: Connecting with legitimate influencers can benefit brands if done strategically. It‘s unclear if BuySocialMediaMarketing verifies influencer authenticity.
  • Manage social media presence: This full-service offering could benefit resource-strapped business owners. However, content quality and audience suitability varies widely among providers.

My rule of thumb is to dig deeper into exactly how followers are obtained, how influencers are vetted, and reviewing samples of created content before purchasing.

The Business Impact of Social Media Marketing

Research indicates that social media delivers real value, but poor or unethical approaches can backfire:

  • 90% of marketers say social media marketing has increased lead exposure and traffic [1]
  • 87% of companies see increased sales from social media [2]
  • However, brands risk damage through inflated metrics or policy violations. One study found 2 in 5 consumers lose trust in a brand after social cheating [3].

The takeaway is not all social media marketing tactics are equal when it comes to business impact. Unethical methods often fail delivering the visibility and revenue sought long-term.

Warning Signs to Watch Out For

While BuySocialMediaMarketing isn‘t definitively one, many questionable social media marketing companies exhibit certain red flags:

No Transparency

  • Won‘t explain social media growth tactics
  • Make vague claims of "proprietary marketing strategies"

No Verified Reviews

  • Lack of validated client testimonials
  • Reviews seem suspiciously perfect

Sudden Growth Surges

  • Followers or engagement rises exponentially in weeks
  • Metrics don‘t correlate with content quality or overall brand profile

These signals suggest shady practices versus legitimate audience-building approaches.

My Advisory on Selecting Social Media Marketing Companies

As a consultant, I guide business owners using this strategic selection process:

1. Clarify Goals

Be specific on tangible results expected (sales, traffic, conversions etc.) so success is measurable. Have realistic expectations for growth timeframes.

2. Research Company Expertise

Look beyond claims on a services webpage. Search founders, employees, and client reviews. Validate experience helping similar brands.

3. Review Campaign Methodology

Ask detailed specifics on tactics to be used to promote your brand. This should align to major platform guidelines and avoidance of policy violations.

4. Start Small

Test on a small scale first, monitoring new followers quality and engagement before increasing budget.

This diligence is crucial to selecting compliant social media services that amplify your brand strategically, not just inflate vanity metrics temporarily.

Guidelines for Tracking Social Media Marketing ROI

Monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) helps maximize return on investment from social media marketing programs:

  • Follower Quality: Measure follower relevance, engagement rates, retention period.
  • Content Reach & Amplification: Analyze unique users reached, shares, clicks, hashtag use.
  • Website Traffic: Compare visitor volume and sales before/after campaign launch.
  • Customer Sentiment: Track testimonials, reviews, feedback mentions.

Regularly review these metrics to refine strategies and optimize ad spend for your brand goals.

By taking a thoughtful, diligent approach to platforms like BuySocialMediaMarketing, you can tap into social media marketing success safely. Let me know if you need any specific guidance fitting services to your small business growth objectives. I‘m always happy to help advise!

Sources
[1] Sprout Social Report 2022
[2] Social Media Today, 2022
[3] Influential, 2020