intern socialmediamarketing Read This Before You Hire an Intern to Develop the Companys Social Media StrategySo, everyone at your company thinks it’s time to jump on the social media bandwagon. Cool, now what?

Harry in accounting mentions that he has a nephew at State who Facebooks and is free a few hours a week to work for college credit. Sounds like the perfect opportunity right?

If you answered “Yes” then you’re an idiot.

Think about it, Harry wasn’t hired to manage the accounting department because he wears glasses and owns a financial calculator, and Sue in PR wasn’t hired because she’s dating the local anchorman (at least we hope she wasn’t). So why would a business hire an undergrad who has a few thousand friends on Facebook to act as their businesses’ online spokesperson?

Just like Harry, Sue and any other employee who may come in direct contact with your customer base, it is imperative that everyone understand the company’s mission, vision and goals. Hiring a newbie to represent your company on social networks is putting your business at risk for social media backlash.

Your social media representative should understand the social media landscape, understand your business and business goals and be able to interact and manage any positive and negative feedback in a timely manner.

Can your intern do that?

Consider hiring an interactive agency or a consulting with a social media marketing expert to ensure the individuals creating and managing your company’s social networks are trained well.

About the Author: Jennifer Villalobos
boss-lady_bigger How to Talk a Lot and Say NothingOnline Marketing Manager/Ringmaster
I enjoy long walks on the beach, the full imitation cheddar flavor that are Cheez-Its, Gonzaga basketball, Budweiser commercials and managing web campaigns for both consumer and business to business clients.

Drop me a line at jennifer@vantageinternet.com, or follow me on Twitter @vantagejennifer.