This time we will not resume our predictions about the new trends that are approaching or those that are more than expanded and consolidated. Social media, mobile marketing, SEO, Video marketing, Content marketing or content marketing, … no matter the type of strategy or discipline we address, but not so much is the importance of influencing the belief rather widespread and misleading that Internet marketing is still free or simply cheap and lacking an associated cost.

Usually it is still habitual to hear this wrong topic. Remember that popular saying about “Cheap is expensive”. And especially if we evaluate the costs of our actions without quantifying for example the time we invest or dedicate to it. On the other hand there are those who think that a service of low cost, must necessarily suppose a saving of our expenses or budgets. Somewhat evidently subjective but that in many cases ends up being much more expensive.

Under these premises we have already addressed some related issues highlighting why the management of Social Media or a website can not be worth 500 euros. Even the mentality of many companies to reduce essential costs or to dispense with real professionals to develop a job thinking that their “computer technician” may be the most appropriate.

We took a quote from Henry Ford that said; “If you need a machine to do something and do not buy it at the end you will realize that you have paid the same and you do not have the machine.”

This quote certainly serves to understand exactly that sometimes “cheap is expensive” and that the belief by many companies that online marketing or social media are characterized by having a reduced or even free cost for their business Are obviously mistaken perceptions.

First, companies should be aware that any action or strategy of online marketing and social media, requires a constant activity and above all, a specific knowledge apart from a minimum resources to ensure together with the knowledge of the professionals themselves, a good management of it all. It is not worth with that to create a social profile and wait for only our clients. What about the interaction? What we offer? That we share? How do we know where and when we talk about our brand? How do we handle complaints and claims? How do we enhance the image of our business? How do we communicate? How do we analyze indicators and our competence? How would we react to a crisis of reputation?

These are undoubtedly questions that for any company not willing to work with professionals or to invest and assume certain costs, will be left without answers. And most importantly, in the end the perception of their efforts will be none other than the wrong conclusion that social media are absolutely useless, or worse, have paid the consequences for such erroneous decisions and beliefs, throwing away the opportunity Which provide the new media and social networks.

At this point it would be worth noting the difference between optimizing costs and maximizing resources, to the belief that without them your social media strategy will be sufficient to achieve the desired success and goals. Can you imagine that you could make a trip in your car with three wheels instead of four just to save the cost of that tire? Would you perhaps make your next flight on a plane whose controls were in the hands of a friend who is fond of aviation models? Are you aware of the risks involved? Why put your business at risk because it is not worth investing or paying for it?

Social media and online marketing, make it clear for free nothing, and your time, tell us Nor does it cost money?