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How much does social media management cost?
Social media management in the UK can cost under £200 a month or more than £6,000. The difference is the number of platforms, how many posts a month, whether there is video, whether someone replies to comments, and whether ads are run. Set those here to see the typical freelancer and agency range, and what a fair monthly price looks like for your plan.
- A monthly price range
- The cost per post
- A line-by-line breakdown
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What this costs in the UK
About £670–£1,550 a month from a freelancer, £1,310–£3,060 from an agency.
- 2 picture or text posts a week£560
- 1 short video a week£630
- 1 more platform£300
- Replying to comments and messages£420
- Planning and a monthly report£280
In your full report
- Every line, freelancer and agency side by side
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Book a free callHow much does social media management cost per month in the UK?
The price is set by four things: how many platforms, how many posts a week, how many of them are video, and whether someone replies to comments and messages. Running paid ads is a separate job with its own fee.
The table shows three common plans, priced the way the calculator prices them. Most small businesses sit between the first two.
| Plan | Freelancer | Agency |
|---|---|---|
| One platform, 3 picture posts a week | £310–£740 | £670–£1,570 |
| Two platforms, 3 posts a week (1 video), replies handled | £670–£1,550 | £1,310–£3,060 |
| Three platforms, 5 posts a week (2 videos), replies and ads run | £1,470–£3,440 | £2,760–£6,550 |
What is included in social media management?
A full service covers planning, making the posts, publishing them, replying to people and reporting on what worked. A cheaper service often covers only scheduling posts you supply, so check which one you are being quoted for.
Ask whether the photos and videos are made for you or whether you must send them, and whether every post is sent to you to approve first.
| Part of the work | Freelancer | Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Picture or text post | £20–£45 a post | £40–£90 a post |
| Short video | £45–£110 a video | £90–£200 a video |
| Each extra platform | About 25% more posting cost | About 25% more posting cost |
| Replying to comments and messages | £80–£160 a month per platform | £120–£300 a month per platform |
| Running paid social ads (fee only) | £200–£500 a month | £300–£900 a month |
| Planning and a monthly report | £50–£150 a month | £150–£400 a month |
Why does social media video cost more than picture posts?
A short video needs an idea, filming, editing, captions and music, where a picture post needs one image and a line of text. That is why the calculator prices a video at roughly twice a picture post.
Video is still worth it on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook, where short videos are shown to people who do not follow you yet. One or two videos a week alongside simpler posts is where most small businesses start.
You can lower the cost by filming several clips in one session each month, or by sending phone footage from your shop, kitchen or office for someone else to edit.
Is it cheaper to do social media yourself or pay someone?
Doing it yourself costs nothing in fees but takes time: planning, making and posting three good posts a week often takes several hours. Price your own hours honestly before you decide.
Paying someone makes sense when posts keep slipping, when messages wait days for a reply, or when you want video and ads run properly. Keep the accounts in your own name either way, so you never lose them.
- Do it yourself: one platform, a few posts a week and time to reply.
- Freelancer: one or two platforms with steady posting.
- Agency: several platforms, regular video, replies and ads run together.
How the tool works
- Pick your platforms: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn.
- Set posts a week, how many are video, and whether comments are answered.
- Add paid social ads if you want them run as well.
- See the freelancer and agency range per month, line by line.
How Scale Oxford helps
How Scale Oxford runs social media
We plan, make, post and reply on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and TikTok, with the content made by our own team. You approve every post before it goes live.
- Plan a monthly content calendar around what you sell and when it sells.
- Make the graphics and short videos in-house, using your own footage where it helps.
- Reply to comments and messages, and report on which posts brought enquiries.
Questions people ask
How much does a social media manager cost per month in the UK?
A freelancer typically charges about £310–£740 a month for one platform and three picture posts a week. An agency charges about £1,310–£3,060 for two platforms, three posts a week including one video, and replies to comments; more platforms and more video cost more. Running ads is extra.
How much does social media management cost per post?
Roughly £20–£45 a picture post from a freelancer and £40–£90 from an agency, and a short video about twice that. Monthly packages are usually cheaper per post than paying one at a time.
Is the ad spend included?
No. Money paid to Meta, TikTok or LinkedIn for ads is separate from the management fee.
Is it cheaper to hire in-house?
A full-time social media executive in the UK costs about £26,000–£35,000 a year before tax and tools. For fewer than about 20 posts a week, an agency or freelancer is usually cheaper.
What is the minimum contract for social media management?
Many UK agencies and freelancers ask for three months, because the first month is spent learning your audience and style. Monthly rolling plans with 30 days' notice are common too. Get the term and notice period in writing.
How many posts a week does a small business need?
Three good posts a week on one or two platforms is enough for most small businesses to stay visible. Posting every day only helps if each post is worth seeing. Keeping going for months matters more than volume in one week.
Which social media platform is best for a small business?
The one your customers already use. Instagram and Facebook suit most local and consumer businesses, TikTok suits brands that can film short video every week, and LinkedIn suits businesses selling to other businesses. Start with one or two and do them well.
Does social media management include replying to messages?
Not always. Many packages cover posting only, and replying to comments and direct messages is an extra, priced at about £80–£300 a month per platform in the calculator. Ask how quickly replies are made, including at weekends.
How long until social media brings in customers?
Expect two to three months before posting settles into a steady pattern of engagement and enquiries. Paid social ads can bring results within weeks, because you pay to reach people who do not follow you yet. Judge it by enquiries and sales, not followers.
Do I pay VAT on social media management?
If the freelancer or agency is VAT-registered, 20% VAT is added to the fee. Many sole-trader freelancers are below the registration threshold, which makes them cheaper for a business that cannot reclaim VAT. Ask whether a quote includes VAT before comparing.
What should a monthly social media report show?
Reach, engagement and follower growth per platform, plus the clicks, enquiries or sales that came from social. A report that only shows likes cannot tell you whether the money is well spent. Ask for the posts that worked best and what changes next month.
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