If your goal for 2020 is to get on top of your digital media presence, outsourcing all or part of your digital marketing might be high on your to-do list. It makes sense to hire someone else to do this for you, particularly if you don’t have the time or experience to do it yourself.

However, if you’re looking to outsource digital marketing tasks such as website design, social media or organic marketing, it’s vital you do some digging on your prospective digital service provider before you part with your hard-earned cash.

 The fact is, ‘digital marketing’ is a bit of a dirty word at the moment. Unfortunately, some digital service providers promise the world, only to underdeliver on their services, or worse, ghost their clients entirely, leaving small business owners significantly out of pocket and incredibly stressed.

Sadly, 85% of people who contact us have already had a bad experience. Instead of getting down to business and talking about what they need, most of our initial consultations begin with a therapy session where potential clients vent about previous experiences! 

So, how can you safeguard yourself and your business when you’re thinking of outsourcing your digital marketing? Here are 5 ways to limit your risk and ensure you’re dealing with a reputable digital marketing specialist.

Outsourcing Digital Marketing: What You MUST Do

Undertake background checks

Here are a few simple checks to see whether you’re dealing with a legitimate digital marketing service provider. 

1. See if they have an ABN. You can ask them for this directly or search for it online at ABN Lookup. You can also check whether they’ve registered their business name with ASIC. Multiple names and registrations may be a red flag.
2. Check out their website and social media presence to get a feel for their work. A reputable digital marketer should have an online presence. If not, that’s a definite red flag.
3. Look at their online reviews, including Facebook, Google and LinkedIn. Don’t just take things at face value, though; dig deeper to see if the reviews seem genuine or bought. 

Ask to speak on the phone

It’s always a good idea to get on the phone to discuss your needs and get to know your prospective digital marketing partner. If this is not possible, make sure all communication is confirmed via email so you have a record of your discussions. 

Never rely only on Messenger or DM when communicating with a service provider! While this can be a convenient communication channel, all communication will be lost if a social profile is deleted, leaving you in the lurch if you are ‘ghosted’ by your provider.

Get everything in writing

This is Business 101 – always get agreements and quotes in writing. Quotes should clearly itemise the cost of each service so there is no confusion. Agreements should be signed by both parties, setting out the terms of service and how both sides can resolve issues. 

If your provider doesn’t use contracts (and not everyone does) the next best option is to have email confirmation and acceptance of the agreed terms of your arrangement. This should be clearly worded and clearly agreed to by both sides.

Secure your data and information

Many digital marketing specialists will request access to the backend of your systems (such as your website or social media channels) so they can easily update content or organise your social media posting schedule.

The systems access required will depend on the nature of your agreement and the tasks the service provider will undertake for you. Whatever your arrangement, always ensure you are in full control of your logins and accounts to limit potential risk to your business. 

Acknowledge your investment

Outsourcing any part of your business is a big deal. While the cost might seem steep in the beginning, it’s important to acknowledge this is an investment in your business growth. Like any investment, it’s vital you choose wisely and not just based on the lowest price.

Unfortunately, the saying ‘you get what you pay for’ rings true when it comes to digital marketing. If you want to get the best possible result, it’s crucial you look past the initial cost and choose a provider who will deliver the service and results your investment deserves.

If you’re looking to outsource all or part of your digital marketing activities in 2020, the team at Naked Digital is ready to help. Schedule a free 30-minute chat with Desiree to discover how we could guide you in getting the most out of your digital marketing efforts, honestly and reliably.