The Social Media Marketing New Client Onboarding Process
Depending on exact needs, the process and timing vary for each client and project. After we receive the completed New Client Questionnaire, new client inquiry and onboarding typically takes 2 to 5 business days. Phase 1 can take anywhere from 30 to 60 business days. Phase 2 is usually ongoing, so based on your specific needs, goals, and budget, together we will decide the exact timing and budget for Phase 2. For a la carte services, the timing varies per project based on the extent of each project and our current project pipeline.
1. Initial Inquiry:
After receiving your inquiry submission on our Contact Page, we will email you a link to a Social Media Marketing Questionnaire. Once you’ve completed the questionnaire and we’ve reviewed it, we will contact you to set up a call. We do our best to get back to all inquiries on the same day that we receive them, but please note it can take up to 48-72 hours. If your needs and budget align with our offerings and it’s clear that we can help you, we then move item #2. If it’s immediately clear to us that we’re not a fit, we will then notify you that we’re passing on the opportunity. In most cases, we offer referrals or suggestions.
2. First Dance:
The initial call is like a first dance, or a first date, in that it’s how we both see if there’s a fit between us, not only with needs and capabilities matching but also chemistry and work style. We like to partner with our clients, grow together and make lasting friendships along the way. By doing this, it sets us both up for a productive and successful relationship.
3. The Handshake:
If we’re a match, let’s shake on it (well, more like, let’s sign on the dotted line). We will send you a proposal and scope of work (SOW), once an agreement is met on all aspects of the proposal and SOW, we will then send you our Services Agreement for your review and signature. For larger organizations and companies, we understand that you prefer to use your own vendor contracts, which we are open to using instead of our Services Agreement.
4. Onboarding:
Before the work can begin, we need to fully understand your business, social media, and content marketing needs and goals. Onboarding is the period where we do our homework and get smart about your brand, business, and marketing needs, with an emphasis on your social media and content marketing. We will send you a New Client Questionnaire that will help us not only make sure we’re both on the same page but also helps us to fully understand your brand and business’ mission, products/services, customers, culture, needs, and goals. Being able to do a deep dive into your business helps us tailor our work for your exact needs and business goals.
5. Phase 1 (Planning, Audit, and Set-Up):
Time to roll up our sleeves and get to work! In Phase 1, we conduct an audit of your social media channels and content and provide recommendations. The audit is a thorough examination and review of all your social media channels and content. It enables us to uncover and analyze what’s working and what’s not. Depending on your exact needs and plan purchased (monthly retainer client vs. project-based or a la carte services), Phase 1 may also include some, or all, of the following: Audit Report (findings and recommendations); Branded Social Media Business Pages (set-up or page refresh and makeovers, page optimization, and promotional takeovers); Social Media Framework; Social Media Strategy and Actionable Plan; Social Media Dashboard (set up or a clean up if needed); Content Strategy; and if you don’t have one, setting up a Social Media Content Calendar/Editorial Calendar. See details at Social Media Marketing Services.
6. Phase 2 (Execution):
Now that the foundation is laid, the strategy and plan are in place and social channels are optimized, it’s time to focus on your Content Development, Management, and Publishing; as well as Community Management and Engagement. Phase 2 also includes Paid Social (aka Social Media Advertising). Please note that the ad spend is not included in the monthly retainer/package price. Additional ad budget is required. Together, we will determine the paid social budget based on your overall social media marketing budget, needs, and goals. See details at Social Media Marketing Services.
