Discover whether hiring a social media agency is right for your business. In this guide, we'll explain what a social media marketing agency does, the benefits of outsourcing your social media, typical costs and what to look for when choosing an agency.

With 69% of the global population now active on social media, the motivation for brands to put the algorithm to the test has never been greater.

Yet, just a few minutes is all it takes to realise the size of the job at hand before recognising its never-ending relentlessness.

Then the panic sets in…

“What platforms will work best for my business?”

“How many times should I post a week?”

“Do I really need to learn that TikTok dance?”

By the time you’re too overwhelmed with where even to begin, we’re going to show how hiring a social media agency can help.

From end-to-end services, benefits and costs, it’s all covered right here in this blog.

Is it worth hiring a social media agency?

Hiring a social media agency is worth it for many businesses, particularly those that lack the time, expertise or resources to manage social media effectively in-house.

A good agency can provide strategy, content creation, community management and performance analysis as part of a comprehensive package, helping businesses grow their brand presence whilst freeing up time to focus on day-to-day operations.

After all, managing a social media account takes time and effort. Two things most business owners don’t have, let alone the knowledge, skill, and resources to see it through.

The benefits of outsourcing social media marketing

By hiring a social media agency, you can place your social media marketing in the hands of specialists while focusing on running your business.

No late-night doomscrolling sessions searching for the latest trends.

No guesswork about what to post or when to post it.

No scrambling to keep up with ever-changing algorithms.

Instead, you gain access to a team of strategists, copywriters, designers, photographers, videographers and social media specialists who know how to plan, create and optimise content that performs.

Outsourcing social media marketing can also be more cost-effective than building an in-house team, giving you access to a wider range of expertise without the overheads associated with recruitment, training and software.

And all while keeping on top of your account management and customer interactions.

Sounds ideal. But what does all this look like in practice?

What does a social media marketing agency do?

A social media marketing agency develops and delivers end-to-end social media strategies using a blend of creative, technical, and analytical expertise.

From content creation and community management to paid advertising and performance analysis, social media marketing brings together a wide range of skills to build, manage, and grow a brand’s online presence.

Behind every successful campaign is a diverse team of specialists. Whether it's videographers capturing footage, designers creating graphics, copywriters writing captions, or data-driven analysts assessing performance, everyone inside an agency works together to create engaging content and measure its performance against clear objectives and metrics.

What are the key services provided by a social media agency?

The key services provided by a social media agency typically include strategy, content creation, scheduling and publishing, community management, performance analysis and ongoing collaboration. Together, these services help businesses build, manage and grow their social media presence.

1. Strategy

The first port of call for a social media marketing agency is to understand your brand and business goals. It’s all well and good jumping on a latest trend to generate a bit of exposure, but if the content doesn’t align with your values, then it can prove detrimental.  

A good social media marketing agency takes the time to understand your needs and goals before composing a strategy.

Inside this strategy, you can expect:‍

• ‍Defining and refining your target audience to ensure precise reach and engagement.
• Identifying and selecting the most effective social media platforms for your business goals.
• Developing a series of posts that cover key areas (Brand awareness, engagement, sales, etc.)

2. Content creation

Now for the fun part! After developing a series of post ideas, your social media marketing agency will create the content ready for posting.

These areas of content creation should showcase skills and expertise across:

• Videography.
• Photography.
• Copywriting.
• Graphic design.

The extent of resources required to create your content depends on the type of content you’re expecting to achieve.

For example, a “rough and ready” POV-style TikTok video can be easily created using just a smartphone. On the other hand, some brands may require high-end videography, using professional cameras and drones, depending on their ambitions, creative direction, and budget

3. Scheduling & posting

Creating your content is one thing, but it’ll all be for nothing if people don’t see it. Posting is more than a click of a button. It requires strategically scheduling content to maintain consistency while appearing during your audience's peak active times.

Posting also demands a proactive and reactive approach. Organisation is key for agencies to schedule weeks ahead with enough flexibility to react quickly when trending topics or company updates suddenly emerge.

4. Monitoring

Effective monitoring ensures that no opportunity or conversation about your brand is missed. Whether it’s a direct message, a comment, or an untagged mention, your social media agency should have its finger on the pulse of your profile.

Responding quickly to requests is a growing expectation, with 37% social media users expecting a response to a query in less than half an hour.

The various social media marketing monitoring responsibilities include managing the following:

• Brand mentions and interactions (Direct and untagged conversations).
• Reputation and sentiment analysis.
• Customer support and feedback.
• Social listening.

5. Analysis

Accurate analysis is integral to evaluating post-performance and general account perception. Only with data-driven insights can we expect to make informed decisions to improve future content and refine the strategy.  

Key metrics to assess include:

• Engagement (Rate, shares, saves, likes, etc.).
• Impressions and reach.
• Conversions.

Analysis should also include competitor benchmarking. Tracking competitor activity helps you understand industry trends, identify gaps in your approach, and uncover new growth opportunities.

6. Collaboration

Not all agencies will mention this, but collaboration is the last crucial step in making your social media marketing work. Your agency may have great ideas, know-how, and all the resources, but without your influence, your brand’s account won’t have the most important ingredient – you.

So, whether it’s getting behind the camera to create a “day in the life”, participating in a funny trend, or simply approving posts ready to schedule, your contribution is key.

Now, we can understand that’s not necessarily what you want to hear, but it’s the truth. Without you, your brand goes faceless into the algorithm.

And those who stay faceless often remain nameless.

Is it worth hiring a social media agency for small businesses?

For many small businesses, hiring a social media agency can be more cost-effective than employing an in-house social media manager. Agencies provide access to multiple specialists, including strategists, videographers, designers and copywriters, allowing smaller businesses to access a wider range of expertise without the cost of building an internal team.

Access to a team of social media marketing professionals isn’t reserved solely for large businesses with big budgets. In fact, with 57% of SME Owners and Managers in the UK working over the average, partnering with an agency can be even more valuable for small businesses due to limited time and internal resources.

By combining a wide range of skills and experience, social media marketing agencies are well placed to support smaller businesses that may not have the capacity to manage everything in-house. From content creation and community management to paid advertising and performance analysis, agencies relieve the pressure, freeing you up to focus on running your business.

What factors should I consider when choosing a social media agency?

When choosing a social media agency, look for experience, proven results, content creation capabilities, transparent reporting, clear communication and a service offering that aligns with your business goals. It's also important to understand what is included in the package and whether key services are delivered in-house or outsourced.

Use this guide as a benchmark for what a social media marketing agency should be able to deliver. Ideally, an agency should offer an end-to-end service that covers strategy, content creation, publishing, monitoring, and analysis. This provides peace of mind that your social media presence is being managed consistently and effectively.

It's also important to understand exactly what is and isn't included in the service. Some agencies may charge premium fees for strategy development but offer little support with content production or day-to-day management.

Others may promise a full-service approach but rely heavily on external freelancers for key services such as videography or photography, which can sometimes lead to delays or inconsistencies.

A clear sign of a capable agency is one with the skills, expertise, and resources all under one roof. With strategists, content creators, designers, videographers, and account managers working together, you benefit from a more streamlined process, clearer communication, and a cohesive approach to achieving your social media goals.

How much do social media agencies charge?

In the UK, social media agency costs typically range from £100 to £1,500+ per month, depending on the number of platforms managed, content requirements, advertising activity and the level of strategic support required. Smaller businesses often invest between £300 and £1,000 per month, whilst larger organisations may spend significantly more.

Some agencies (like us) offer flexible, phased packages that allow businesses to gradually increase their investment naturally as their presence grows. Others may operate with more fixed agreements and pricing structures.

When choosing an agency, it's worth looking beyond the headline cost and considering the value being delivered. A flexible agency that can adapt its services to your budget and business goals will often provide a more sustainable path to growth, allowing you to scale your social media activity without overcommitting resources too early.

Hire a social media agency that brings together every skill your brand needs

At Content Chef, we know what makes a worthy social media marketing agency for your business because we live and breathe it every day.

Not only have we demonstrated it with a diverse selection of brands across different industries, but we’ve invested in the right people to cover every aspect that supports a successful social media marketing strategy.

Whether you're looking to build brand awareness, increase engagement, or generate more leads, we work closely with you to create social media strategies that align with your business goals and speak directly to your audience.

If you'd like to learn more about how our social media marketing services can help your business grow, get in touch with our team today.

Written by Archie Edwards

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