While interns can help with social media engagement due to lack of resources and manpower, they have high turnover rates since commitments are only one semester. This can lead to gaps in engagement and the loss of relationships built within communities. Instead, companies should own customer relationships and use interns to assist, not control, social media presences to maintain consistency and build trust over time.

1. Social Media B2B TipsShould your interns handle your Social Media presence? @CecyAtDell

2. 2 Reasons why you might decide to use interns for Social Media engagement: Lack of resources Unawareness about Social Media Not enough manpower

3. Tips to help you guide your decision 3

4. 4 Confidential High turnover rates based on school cycles. 5/2/2011 Students can only commit one semester at a time. Can’t grow your community if there are gaps in engagement.

5. Even for the most committed, superstar intern, school comes first. (And it should!) 5

6. 6 Confidential Social Media platforms are your opportunity for customers to put a face to a company name. 5/2/2011 Customers want to know there are real people listening and responding. Don’t hide behind your logo, give us faces of real employees we can talk to.

7. 7 Hang on to the relationships you build through Social Media. If interns forge your social media engagement, when they leave, they will take with them the relationships. Maybe not the tangible number of followers you have amassed, but the knowledge of the community: key players, topics of interests, success stories. Don’t erase the relationships you’ve built.

8. 8 Internships can be beneficial partnerships.Companies can find new talent, interns get real world experience that can make them competitive in the marketplace.Interns can help you with the engagement, but your company should own the relationship with your customers. Make sure you vet your interns and verify they are Social Media rockstars before you give them the keys to your kingdom.

9. 9 Follow-up! @CecyAtDell