Complete Guide to Social Media Management Pricing for Businesses in 2025

These days, social media marketing services are more than simply a “nice to have.” It’s how clients discover you, get to know you, and determine whether or not to trust you. Knowing the social media management pricing in 2025 can help you make wise decisions. If you’re asking:

•  “How much should I pay for social media marketing services?”
•  “How much should I charge for social media management?”

You’re in the right place.

We’re going to walk through everything you need to know about social media management and content creation like what services cost, what affects the price, what to look for in a social media marketing agency, and how to figure out what fits your business.

What Is Social Media Management , Really?

Social media management means someone else is running your social media for you.

That includes:

• Planning what to post
• Content Creation Service like creating the content (images, videos, captions)
• Scheduling and posting
• Responding to comments or messages
• Running ads (if needed)
• Tracking performance and sending reports

Some people offer just a piece of this. Others (like a full social media agency) handle it all.

Why Pricing Matters for Social Media Marketing Services?

You might be wondering, “Can’t I just post myself?” Sure, you can. But:

• It takes time (lots of it)
• Your content needs to look good
• You want results (leads, clicks, sales)

That’s where professionals come in. But not all social media marketing services are equal. Some are overpriced. Some are cheap but deliver poor results. Understanding social media marketing services pricing helps you pick what’s fair and what’s worth it.

What Affects Social Media Management Pricing?

There’s no fixed cost for  social media marketing services. It depends on many things:

Social Media Management Pricing Breakdown (2025)

Here’s a realistic look at social media management pricing in 2025:

For Small Businesses

• 2–3 posts/week
• 1–2 platforms (usually Instagram and Facebook)
• Some graphics, basic captions
• No paid ads
• $300 – $800/month

For Mid-Size Businesses

• 3–5 posts/week
• 2–3 platforms (maybe adding TikTok or LinkedIn)
• Custom graphics, light video content
• Basic paid ad setup and management
• Monthly reporting
•  $1,000 – $3,000/month

For Large Brands or Companies

• Daily posting
• 4+ platforms
• Custom graphics and videos
• Full-scale ad campaigns
• Community engagement
• Weekly or biweekly reports and strategy reviews
• $5,000 – $15,000+/month

What’s Inside a Social Media Marketing Package?

When you see terms like social media marketing package, it usually includes:

• Post planning/calendar
• Custom graphics
• Caption writing
• Hashtag research
• Scheduling posts
• Basic engagement (replying to comments or DMs)
• Monthly reporting

Some agencies of social media marketing services also include strategy sessions or content shoots. Others may bundle in social media advertising for small businesses as part of the deal.

Add-On Costs to Consider

Social Media Video Production Cost

Short-form videos like Reels or TikToks are very popular now. But they take time and skill.

• Simple video edit: $100–$300
• Full shoot + edit: $500–$2,000 per video
• Monthly video content: $1,000–$5,000 (depending on number and length)

Community Management

If you want someone replying to DMs, comments, or mentions daily, that’s an extra service.

Social Media Advertising Cost

• Platform ad spend: Paid directly to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc.
• Management fee: 10–20% of social media ad agency spend or flat rate ($300–$1,000/month)

Social Media Agencies vs Freelancers vs In-House Teams

There’s no right or wrong,  but here’s how they compare:

If you’re a small business, working with a freelancer or boutique social media marketing firm might give you the best value.

Tool Costs: Don’t Forget These
Some teams use tools like:

• Sprout Social (analytics & scheduling)
• Canva Pro (design)
• Buffer, Hootsuite, Later (scheduling tools)
• Meta Ads Manager (for Facebook/Instagram ads)

Tools like Sprout Social aren’t free. For example, Sprout Social pricing starts around $249/month. If you’re hiring someone, ask if tool costs are included or if you need to cover them separately.

How Much Should You Charge for Social Media Management (Freelancers)?

If you’re offering social media marketing services, setting your price can be tricky. Here’s a quick guide:

Ask yourself:

• How many posts am I creating?
• Am I writing, designing, and posting?
• Are ads or reporting included?

Don’t just charge for time. Charge for value. A single great post can bring in new clients.

Signs You’re Overpaying for Social Media Marketing

Not sure if you’re getting your money’s worth? Watch out for these red flags:

• No results: low engagement, no leads
• Generic content: nothing that fits your brand
• No reports: you don’t know what’s working
• Too few posts: once a week is not enough for most brands
• No strategy: they post, but there’s no plan

Should You Hire In-House or Work with a Social Media Agency?

One of the most important questions that businesses have when considering social media is this one.

Hiring In-House: The Good and the Not-So-Great

Having a specialized social media specialist on-site or remotely is what it means to bring someone in-house. That sounds good, doesn’t it?

Here’s what’s great about it:

• You get someone who knows your brand inside and out.
• They’re available during business hours, so feedback and last-minute changes are quicker.
• You can shape their content style to match your exact tone and voice.

But, and this is important, there are a few things to think about before hiring.

The not-so-great part:

• A full-time salary isn’t cheap. By the time you add in taxes, software, and possible benefits, you’re looking at $3,000 to $5,000+ a month.
• One person might not have all the skills you need. They might be great at writing but not so great with design, or good at strategy but clueless about video.
• If they quit or get sick, you’re left scrambling.

Hiring in-house is like committing to a long-term relationship. It’s great when it works, but you need to be ready for everything that comes with it.

Working with a Social Media Marketing Agency

Now let’s talk about agencies. When you hire a social media marketing agency, you’re paying for a whole team. usually including a content creator, designer, strategist, and ad expert.

What’s awesome about that?

• You get access to multiple skill sets without hiring five different people.
• Agencies usually come with experience, they’ve seen what works and what doesn’t.
• They already use tools like Sprout Social, Canva Pro, or analytics software, so you don’t have to.

Plus, there’s no onboarding or training needed. They jump in, get to work, and start building your online presence fast.

But of course, there are a few trade-offs:

• You might not get quick replies or real-time changes unless that’s part of your package.
• Some agencies work with many clients, so you might feel like just one of many unless they offer dedicated support.
• And yes.. not all agencies are great. It’s important to check their work, reviews, and results.

Pricing for a solid agency usually starts around $1,000/month. Full-service agencies that offer content creation, video production, ad management, and reporting can charge $5,000 or more . but you get what you pay for.

Which Is the Best Option?

The size of your company, your objectives, and your desired level of involvement all play a role.

It makes a lot of sense to hire a social media consultant or outsource to a social media agency if you’re managing a small or mid-sized business and lack the time (or inclination) to manage social media yourself. Not only do you save money, but you also avoid managing a crew.

But if you’re at the stage where you want full control, daily input, or your social presence is central to your brand, it might be time to build an in-house team. Just know that managing one person might not be enough. Most full strategies need content, design, copywriting, and ad skills, which is tough to find in one hire.

Conclusion:

If you’re a business owner looking to grow, don’t ignore social. But don’t throw money at it blindly either. Take time to understand social media management pricing, what social media marketing services are offered, and what works for your goals.

Here’s what we suggest:

• Start with a short-term package (1–3 months)
• Focus on 1–2 platforms that matter to your audience
• Track results (followers, engagement, clicks, sales)
• Scale slowly, add ads, more content, more platforms as you grow

Frequently Asked Questions:

In 2025, how much should social media management cost?
Depending on your needs, the kind of material you produce, and the number of channels you use, the monthly cost might range from $500 to $3,000.

What is the price of social media marketing firms?
While large agencies may charge $10,000 or more per month, mid-sized businesses typically charge between $2,000 and $6,000.

What does an all-inclusive social media marketing package include?
Monthly reporting, scheduling, interaction, captions, bespoke visuals, and content planning.

How much does social media video content cost?
$100–$2,000 per video, depending on length and quality. Monthly plans with video cost more.

Is it worth paying for social media marketing services?
Yes, if it brings real results. Track leads, engagement, or sales to see the return.

What is the social media marketing cost for small businesses?
Start with $300–$500/month ad spend. Add $300–$800/month for a management fee.

What’s the average Sprout Social pricing?
Sprout Social starts around $249/month. Ask your agency if they include it.

How many posts per week should I expect?
Most packages offer 2–5 posts/week. More frequent posting costs more.

How frequently should companies publish content on social media?

For small firms, at least three times a week; for larger brands, every day.

Is it preferable to work with a freelancer or an agency for social media?

Freelancers may be less expensive but may be limited in their scope of work; agencies provide more social media marketing services but are more expensive.