When prospective client contacts me to learn about the social media marketing services I offer, the question on their minds is – what’s this going to cost? Sometimes when they find out my fee, they are taken aback. So I did a little research to find out what other companies are charging for social media marketing services. It was my turn to be taken aback!
One company has a generic proposal for Package A starting at $4,000 per month for marketing on three social media channels. You can learn more about their services here.
Mark Collier has done a couple of blog posts in the past about the cost of social media. His post for the costs in 2012 are interesting. He reached out to some friends and consultants that offer Social Media marketing services to their clients who gave him their rates so he could provide the most accurate price information. His results for a Social Media Strategy Audit showed that most charge anywhere from $5,000 – $10,000. More results can be found here.
Another company provides this table of their pricing.
Finally, there is the Peace of Mind Package provided by HavePresence.com. Their pricing just to update Facebook and Twitter is $995 a month and if you want updates on other social media platforms, you’re looking at $1,995 a month!
So what does it cost for social media marketing services? It depends on who you choose. These are just a few of the many choices I found doing a Google search. As you can see, the fees can range from $995 per month for a few updates on Facebook and Twitter to up to $4,000 per month or more!
Next time a prospect asks me why I charge so much, I’m going to refer them to this blog post and tell them the question they really need to ask is why do these companies charge so much. I charge what I do because I know the work involved and also want to keep my rates affordable for my clients.
More important than pricing is finding a social media consultant that you can trust and that will work with you to determine the best strategies for your specific needs. Be sure to ask for references and find out if they are reliable and responsive.
Great article Sue! I have offered a fixed fee package yet as most of my clients are happy with a per time rate. It is astonishing what some companies charge for these tasks.
Thank you Claire! I like how you offer a fixed fee package. That seems to be the best choice all around!