Hi, it’s Damian from Master of One Marketing, and I want to talk to you about something crucial as you begin diving into digital campaigns. Owning everything that belongs to you—especially your digital assets—is a vital step that many businesses overlook. Recently, I’ve worked with several clients who’ve run into issues with access to their digital properties. Surprisingly, many don’t have full control over essential platforms like their Facebook or Instagram accounts, and they’ve handed that access over to a marketing company or an independent contractor managing their online presence. What happens all too often is that they lose access altogether, which can cause major disruptions down the road.
As a business owner, I understand how tempting it can be to delegate this responsibility. If you’re not particularly tech-savvy, handing over access to someone who “knows what they’re doing” seems like the simplest route. However, even though you may trust your marketing agency or contractor, it’s absolutely essential to maintain access and ownership over all your credentials. Every reputable agency I’ve worked with ensures that you have your login details, but I’ve seen cases where clients lose control after working with the same agency for a long time. When they switch to a new provider, they often struggle to regain access. In the worst-case scenario, the previous agency or contractor may not be cooperative, and you end up locked out of your own accounts.
Why Owning Your Digital Properties Matters
This is why I always advise maintaining master access to all your digital properties, whether it’s your Facebook account, Google properties, or hosting site. As the business owner, you must retain control, especially if things don’t work out with your agency or contractor. Having that control ensures you can remove people from your accounts if necessary and that no one can lock you out. I’ve seen far too much time wasted in campaigns where people scramble to recover access to their accounts. This isn’t just inconvenient—it can halt your digital marketing efforts altogether.
A Real-World Example
Here’s a common scenario I’ve encountered more than once: someone sets up a Facebook business page for you—maybe it’s a contractor, a high school student working part-time, or a family friend. Later, that person becomes unavailable for any number of reasons. They could move away, stop responding, or lose interest in the project. Suddenly, you realize that you don’t have the login credentials, and you’re left unable to access your business page. Yes, you can eventually recover the account by contacting Meta (Facebook’s parent company), but this usually involves proving that you own the business. You’ll likely be asked to provide business documentation, such as licenses or certificates, and the process can be time-consuming and frustrating. It’s a headache you don’t need when trying to run your business.
Take Control—Even When Outsourcing
I get it: digital marketing can be complicated, and you hire professionals to manage the tasks you don’t want to do or don’t have the expertise to handle. But even if you’re not involved in the day-to-day management of your accounts, it’s vital to have the necessary access. This allows you to step in when needed, manage who has access, and remove people from your accounts if things go sour.
People are unpredictable, and parting ways on bad terms with a contractor can lead to serious issues. For example, if they still have access to your accounts, they could harm your business by locking you out, writing negative reviews, or causing other disruptions. Agencies, in general, are more professional and will try to end relationships smoothly—mainly because they understand the potential fallout from even a single negative review. But individuals, especially those who aren’t operating under a formal contract, may not always be as considerate.
Be Prepared: Have Your Credentials Ready
Another key point is to make sure you have all your credentials lined up, particularly if you need to verify your identity to regain access to any accounts. For instance, if you’re a lawyer, Meta might ask for your bar number; if you’re an electrician, they may request your license number. It’s always better to have this information prepared in advance. Otherwise, you might experience significant delays when trying to resolve access issues, and this can cause slow starts to your campaigns.
The first month of working with a new agency can be tricky. Access issues, DNS problems, and hosting concerns are all potential stumbling blocks that can derail your marketing efforts. By ensuring that you maintain ownership and access from the start, you can avoid many of these pitfalls and keep your campaigns running smoothly.
In Conclusion: Make Sure You Own It
In the world of digital marketing, control is key. While it may be easier to let someone else handle all the technical details, don’t give up ownership of your digital properties. Whether it’s your social media accounts, Google Ads, or your website’s hosting platform, make sure you’re the one in charge. Not only does this safeguard you in case a business relationship goes awry, but it also ensures that no one can halt your marketing efforts by locking you out of your own accounts. So, no matter what, make sure you own it.
Owning your digital assets is about safeguarding your business, maintaining control, and ensuring that nothing can stop your digital campaigns from moving forward. Be proactive, be prepared, and take ownership of your digital presence.
By taking these steps, you can ensure that your digital marketing campaigns are always under your control and that you’re ready for any unexpected twists along the way.