Introduction
When you query, “what does a social media marketing agency do,” it is more than posting updates on Facebook or Instagram. These companies craft customized strategies, design interesting content, oversee ads, and monitor performance to build your brand’s internet presence. They do it all from planning with a social media content calendar to promoting paid campaigns and interacting with your audience. One question many businesses have is, “how much does it cost for social media marketing”?
The cost varies based on your business size, how many platforms you work on, and how deep the services go in a social media marketing package. Pricing can range greatly, but paying for professional assistance typically prevents the pitfalls with social media marketing plans like irregular posting, bad targeting, or no measurable outcomes.
Factors That Influence Social Media Marketing Costs
Social media marketing continues to be an integral part of any effective business model in 2025. As digital channels keep evolving, organizations need to use social media to ensure competitive edge, engage with desired audiences, and generate quantifiable growth.
Some of the primary reasons that underscore the need for social media marketing in 2025 are:
- Improved Brand Visibility: Social media channels offer unique avenues to enhance brand recognition among heterogeneous and global consumers.
- Customer Engagement and Loyalty: Engaging actively on social media creates trust, fosters relationships, and engenders long-term loyalty.
- Targeted Advertising: Sophisticated targeting capabilities enable marketers to deliver with pinpoint accuracy to specific demographics, optimizing the return from ad spend.
- Data-Driven Insights: Social media reporting provides rich insights into consumer behavior, campaign success, and new trends.
- Cost-Effective Marketing: Social media campaigns tend to provide higher ROI with comparatively fewer costs than traditional marketing media.
How Much Does it Cost For Social Media Marketing in 2025?
Social media marketing costs can vary depending on whether you’re a small business, mid-sized company, or large enterprise. Each has different needs and goals that influence the overall budget.
By Business Size
Social media marketing costs scale with business size—smaller brands pay less, while larger businesses invest more for broader reach and services.
| Business size | % of Overall Ad Budget | Ad spend (Monthly) |
| Micro-enterprise (1-10 employees) | Less than 5% | $450 – $850 |
| Small business (11-50 employees) | 11% – 25% | $100 – $450 |
| Mid-sized business (51-250 employees) | 11% – 25% | $450 – $850 |
| Large business (251-500 employees) | 75% | $850 – $2,000 |
| Enterprise business (501+ employees) | 11% – 25% | $2,000 – $4,000 |
You can see how the cost of social media ads varies by looking at average cost-per-click (CPC):
- Facebook: $0.26 – $0.50
- Instagram: $0.01 – $0.25
- LinkedIn: $2 – $3
- Pinterest: $0.01 – $0.10
- TikTok: $1
- YouTube: $0.11 – $0.40
- X (formerly Twitter): $0.26 – $0.50
By Network
Costs vary depending on the social platform—marketing on LinkedIn or YouTube often costs more than on Facebook or Instagram due to targeting and content type.
| Network | Minimum budget | Average cost per click (CPC) | Average Cost per 1,000 impressions (CPM) |
| $7 – $70 per week | $0.26 – $0.50 | $1.01 – $3 | |
| $5 per week | $0.01 – $0.25 | $0.01 – $4 | |
| $10 per day | $2 – $3 | $5.01 – $8 | |
| None | $0.01 – $0.10 | $0.01 – $1.50 | |
| TikTok | $50+ per day | $1 | $10 |
| YouTube | None | $0.11 – $0.40 | $9.68 |
| X (formerly Twitter) | None | $0.26 – $0.50 | $6.50 |
By Agency Size
The size and reputation of a social media agency can significantly impact pricing. Big-name agencies with strong experience typically have higher pricing than smaller or boutique firms.
| Agency Size | Estimated Monthly Cost |
| Freelancers | $500 – $2,000 |
| Small/Boutique Agency | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| Mid-Sized Agency | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Large/Established Agency | $10,000 – $25,000+ |
By Service Type
Not all social media services are priced equally. The type of service you need—whether it’s content creation, ad management, or full-service strategy—will influence the cost.
| Service Type | Estimated Monthly Cost |
| Content Creation Only | $500 – $2,500 |
| Paid Ad Management | $1,000 – $5,000+ |
| Community Management | $500 – $3,000 |
| Full-Service Social Media Package | $2,500 – $20,000+ |
Pricing Models for Social Media Marketing Services
| Pricing Category | Details | Estimated Cost (2025) |
| Social Media Management Costs | Includes essential services such as creating content, scheduling posts, and interacting with the community.. | $500 – $5,000/month |
| Social Media Advertising Costs | Ad spend varies based on platform, targeting, and campaign goals. | $200 – $50,000/month |
| Average Agency Fees | Full-service social media management based on business size and scope of services. | $650 – $6,000+/month |
| Freelancer Rates | Costs when hiring freelancers for specific tasks or ongoing management. | $25 – $100/hour or fixed project rates |
| Platform-Specific Ad Costs | Average cost per action for ads on platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest, etc. | $0.01 – $8 per action |
| Additional Expenses | Tools, software, content creation, visuals, analytics dashboards, and third-party platforms. | Varies ($50 – $500+/month depending on tools) |
Cost-Saving Tips Without Compromising Quality
Though social media marketing in 2025 is worth the big investment, there are clever means of saving without compromising performance and quality. Whether you’re a startup or growing enterprise, use these budget-friendly strategies:
- Tap Free Tools: Take advantage of top free tools used for social media marketing such as Buffer, Canva, or Hootsuite for scheduling, designing, and monitoring performance.
- Repurpose Content: Create one high-quality post in multiple formats—such as reels, stories, and carousels—to maximize mileage without incremental creation expense.
- Utilize a Content Calendar: A social media content calendar enables you to plan strategically, avoid missed opportunities, and minimize last-minute outsourcing.
- Outsource Selectively: Freelancers or small agencies can provide customized social media marketing packages that fit your budget.
- Focus on High-ROI Platforms: Not all platforms deliver equal results. Focus your strategy on the platforms where your audience engages the most.
- Conduct Regular Audits: A social media audit ensures you’re not wasting money on underperforming strategies and helps refine your focus.
Conclusion
Social media marketing continues to be a strong, essential business investment in 2025. From building brand awareness to engaging customers, its influence is undeniable. But knowing how much social media marketing costs—and what contributes to the cost—can make you make smart choices.
Keep in mind that an effective strategy is not necessarily about spending more but spending better. Mix in a solid social media strategy, keep up with the optimal time of day to post on social media, and use metrics to continuously optimize your strategy.
