If you’re still managing your social media accounts via a series of open tabs in your browser, you’re not only creating a recipe for disaster, but also missing out on a host of analytics that could take your “We’re doing ok,” campaign to a “We’re blowing the competition outta the water!” campaign. One quick, efficient, and time-tested ways of upping your social cred is through borrowing from the customer relationship management (CRM) concept, and applying it to your social media management.

Sure, the well-known names likeHootSuiteandSeesmicwill get your social media management on track, but are you sure that either of these two will meet every single one of your needs? Better yet… before we even get started, do you know what your needs are? Let’s have a look at questions you should be asking, and features you should be looking for.

The Share Factor

Why copy/paste that update to a multitude of channels, if you’ve only got one thing to say? What about that next social media outlet launching right around the corner? Got a typo and need to fix it quick? These are all valid questions when it comes to settling on a social media solution. Others to be on the look out for:

Your Team

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If you’re working in a startup, or even an SMB, you might be the one and only person responsible for the social media management. But chances are, if you’re already overwhelmed, you, and your existing or future team should be taking full advantage of collaborative social media management. The “too many chefs,” rule still applies, but when done right, team management of your social media can reap the rewards tenfold.

Your Community

Now that you and your team have published, reactions, comments, and conversations are sure to come rolling in. But how to you manage them all? Maybe there’s a member of the crowd that stands out amongst the others.What was his/her name again?Items to consider when it comes to your community:

The Stats

At the end of the day, all the talking and listening in the world isn’t going to get you very far if you’re not analyzing data. Granted, not the sexiest part of your social media plan, but arguably the most valuable. Which campaigns are reaping the biggest rewards? Who’s your standout team member that best resonates with the community?

This list of questions is by no means all-inclusive, but rather, should serve as a jumping off point when considering stepping up to a more robust method of managing your social media campaigns. There are a number of other factors to be considered, least of which are pricing, support, learning curve(s), and the overall future outlook for said solution. With that said, one other recommendation is to have a look at current clients of the solution(s) you’re evaluating. Any software developer worth their salt will gladly publish a list of “Who’s currently using ABC,” and it’s worth a look. If you’ve seen a few competitors in the list, or simply those who’s social media work you admire, you’re on the right track. Now put the above questions to the test, and qualify your own perfect solution.

Story byDan Taylor

Dan Taylor is a professional Photographer and freelance writer based in Vienna, Austria. Dan is a co-founder at Heisenberg Media and speci(show all)Dan Tayloris a professionalPhotographerand freelance writer based in Vienna, Austria. Dan is a co-founder atHeisenberg Mediaand specializes in conference photography. You can find him onFacebookandTwitter

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