Today”s savvy business owners understand the power of social media marketing and the impact it can have on the bottom line, but they lack the time to dedicate to managing their social media networks. For this reason, many companies are now turning to third parties to manage their social media. The question is, how do you choose the right social media firm for your business?

Here are 5 tips to finding the right agency:

What is their core competency?
You wouldn”t hire a hourly bookkeeper to help you navigate corporate taxes, would you? The same principle applies to hiring a social media agency. Many web development companies are now offering social media management as an extension of their web development package, but chances are, they don”t have true marketing or SEO knowledge which is vital. Look for a social media firm that emphasizes content creation, search engine optimization and marketing as part of their core strengths.

Research the Firms Own Social Media Presence
Before you hire any social media agency, check their Twitter account, Facebook page, LinkedIn page and other social media platforms. If they claim to be an authority on social media, they should be leveraging this expertise on their own behalf. If they don”t have an account on social media, they aren”t the right choice. Period.

Get to know the business
Any firm who isn”t interested in getting to know your business intimately should be a red flag. Outsourced firms should research the business Angels Camp and know important details about company strategy, goals, community involvement and ongoing marketing initiatives. In addition, the firm you are considering should be willing to get to know your staff  as well as key customers if possible. This will help give your social media agency a broader view of your organization.

Quality over Quantity
The goal of social media isn”t about gaining thousands of followers on Twitter or likes on Facebook (although we all strive to achieve that!)  The ultimate goal is to build a community.  If you have thousands of followers, but no interaction with any of them, there is no real value to those connections. Engaging with your online community is the key to building a solid and quality social media presence. Make sure your social media agency has the same philosophy. And if you hear the words “We Buy followers or likes”, RUN. FAST.

Don”t Forget References
Firms that have been offering social media consulting, training or management services for longer than a couple of months will be glad to provide references. Ask for 2 or 3 references of clients the firm has worked with for at least 3 months. Make sure to check their social media accounts to see how well the firm has built the community for their clients.

It is estimated that 32% of marketers will outsource some form of social media marketing in 2012, but ensuring you are hiring the right social media agency is key. The tips I outlined above can help ensure your choice is the best choice.