Social Media Marketing Cost: Is It Worth the Investment?

How much does social media marketing actually cost for a small business?  It ranks among the frequently asked questions by brands that seek to expand their presence on the internet. And with the number of platforms, ad types, and service providers increasing, the answer is not always simple.

‍

Social media is now considered to be one of the most effective modes of reaching out to customers and building brand awareness and sales. However, before diving into it, it is crucial to get familiar with the social media marketing cost so that it is possible to determine whether the payoff is worth it.

Understanding the Cost of Social Media Marketing

The cost of social media marketing may differ due to a number of factors. These are the volume of platforms you employ, the medium of post you choose, the task of handling it in-house or billing an agency, and the amount of investment in paid promotions.

Run Marketing has a wide range of price and size adjustments that make it fit in any business, depending on the needs. Depending on the budget and needs, some spend below $300 per month on it, while others invest thousands of dollars in advertisement and content creation strategies.

How Much Does Social Media Marketing Cost on Average

If you are wondering how much does social media marketing costs, here is a general breakdown to guide your expectations:

• Freelancers or solo managers: $300 to $1,000 per month
• Small agencies: $1,000 to $3,000 per month
• Mid to large agencies: $3,000 to $10,000+ per month
• In-house teams: Salaries range from $2,500 to $7,000+ monthly

The social media marketing average cost depends on the size of your business and the complexity of your campaigns. More platforms, paid ads, and content variety will naturally increase the monthly cost.

What’s Included in Social Media Management Pricing Packages

Many businesses choose to outsource their online efforts using social media management pricing packages. These are bundled services offered by marketing firms or freelancers.

Standard packages may include:

• Content planning and calendar
• Graphic design for posts and stories
• Caption writing with keyword integration
• Scheduling and publishing
• Community management (replies, messages, moderation)
• Monthly reporting and analytics

Run Marketing offers social media packages that are tailored based on business goals. Some clients only need monthly posts and updates, while others want full campaign planning and ad execution.

Understanding Social Media Advertising Costs

Paid promotion is a major part of online marketing. But social media advertising costs can vary even more than organic management. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn charge differently based on industry, audience, and competition.

Key things that affect the cost of social media advertising:  

• Ad type (image, video, carousel, story)
• Target audience size and location
• Campaign objective (clicks, views, conversions)
• Time of year (holiday campaigns often cost more)
• Your bid strategy (manual vs automatic)

On average, businesses spend between $200 to $1,500 monthly per platform. Run Marketing helps clients choose where to focus their budgets based on audience behaviour and ad performance history.

How Much Does Advertising Cost for a Small Business Per Month

How much does advertising cost for a small business per month depends on whether the goal is reach, engagement, or conversion. Small businesses typically spend:

• $200 to $500 on Facebook and Instagram ads
• $100 to $300 on boosted posts or local reach
• $500 to $2,000+ if running multiple campaigns or retargeting

The return depends on targeting and creative quality. That’s why Run Marketing provides ad testing and optimization to improve results without overspending.

Are Social Media Packages Better Than Hourly Services

Hourly services may sound more affordable, but they often lack structure. Social media packages provide consistency, planning, and better outcomes. You get a clear idea of deliverables and can measure impact over time.

Benefits of using a package:

• Set the monthly cost
• Scheduled content
• Branding consistency
• Regular reports
• Strategic growth planning

Run Marketing’s packages range from basic posting plans to full-service growth plans, helping businesses build strong, reliable brand visibility.

Can You Lower Your Social Media Marketing Costs

Yes, the social media marketing cost can be adjusted. You don’t need to start with the highest tier. Many brands begin with organic posting and gradually add advertising as their audience grows.

Ways to reduce costs:

• Focus on one or two platforms
• Reuse and repurpose top-performing content
• Use pre-designed templates
• Limit ad spend to proven campaigns
• Choose clear campaign goals to avoid wasted clicks

Run Marketing often helps small businesses identify areas where spending can be optimized without reducing impact.

What Affects the Cost of Social Media Marketing Most

The biggest pricing factors are:

• Number of platforms managed
• Frequency and quality of content                                        
• Paid ad management
• Tools used for scheduling and analytics
• Community engagement or customer support
• Reporting and strategy development

If your campaigns require frequent adjustments, custom visuals, or advanced analytics, your social media marketing costs will reflect that.

Measuring Value Against Cost

The real question is not just how much you spend, but what you get in return. Key metrics that justify the cost of social media marketing include audience growth, website clicks, lead generation, and more. If you're unsure whether ads perform well, you might want to explore the blog Are Facebook Ads Worth It? on Run Marketing’s blog. It breaks down how Facebook ads compare in terms of reach and conversion.

Why Businesses Trust Professional Social Media Management

Doing it yourself is possible, but it takes time and learning. Working with professionals saves hours each week and ensures consistent results. Agencies like Run Marketing provide:

• Strategic planning
• Real-time monitoring
• Trend tracking
• Content and design expertise
• Ad testing and reporting

This helps businesses scale faster and avoid common mistakes that cost time and money.

Avoiding Mistakes That Increase Social Media Marketing Cost

Some mistakes increase expenses without improving performance:

• Targeting the wrong audience
• Posting without a content plan
• Using outdated visuals
• Not reviewing ad performance
• Ignoring competitor trends
• Relying only on paid reach

Some mistakes increase expenses without improving performance. For brands looking to improve strategy and save money, Run Marketing has shared practical advice in Can You Boost Your Social Media Marketing? Discover Effective Strategies Here! This outlines smart approaches that actually help reduce waste while increasing visibility.

Conclusion

The cost of social media marketing should be perfectly understood to enable small businesses to make the right investment decision. Regardless of whether you are producing content, moderating engagement, or running paid advertisements, each dollar must contribute to brand growth. 

Run Marketing offers flexible options that make it easier to stay visible, build trust, and generate results. The cost of social media marketing is worth it when it leads to measurable growth, stronger engagement, and better customer reach.

‍

FAQs

1. How much does social media marketing cost for a small business per month?

The social media marketing cost for a small business typically ranges from $300 to $2,000 per month. This depends on the number of platforms, content volume, and whether you include paid ads. Understanding how much advertising costs for a small business per month helps set a realistic budget that supports business goals without overspending.

2. What’s included in most social media management pricing packages?

Typical social media management pricing packages include content planning, post design, caption writing, publishing, basic engagement, and performance reports. Some packages also include strategy sessions and ad management. Reviewing social media packages in detail ensures you're getting services aligned with your marketing goals.

3. Why do social media advertising costs vary so much between platforms?

Social media advertising costs vary based on the platform, target audience, competition, and ad type. For example, LinkedIn ads cost more than Facebook ads due to the business-focused audience. Understanding the cost of social media advertising helps you choose platforms that give the best return for your specific goals.