Social media marketing (SMM) includes the use of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Twitter to promote a brand, product, or service. It concerns creating and sharing content, running paid ad campaigns, engaging with audiences, and analyzing performance data to achieve goals like brand awareness, lead generation, or sales.

Agencies and businesses use SMM to reach target audiences where they spend time online, tailoring messages to fit each platform’s format and user behavior.

An SMM or social media marketing agency is a specialized agency that helps brands build and maintain a strong online presence by creating, managing, and optimizing content and engagement strategies on different online social platforms. Beyond posting content, these agencies work closely with brands to understand their goals, target audience, and industry, creating a tailored social strategy that complements the brand’s overall marketing efforts. 

From content creation and user interaction to data analysis, social media marketing agencies drive brand awareness, boost audience engagement, increase traffic, and ultimately support higher conversions. 

Social media marketing agencies address a range of common challenges their clients face, including: 

• Lack of time or expertise to regularly create high-quality content 
• Inconsistent brand image and messaging 
• Failure to reach the right audience with the right content 
• Struggles with low-quality or negative audience interactions affecting brand reputation 
• Difficulties with adapting to trends and algorithm changes 
• Limited use and understanding of data and metrics leading to unrefined strategies 

A social media marketing company helps businesses grow by selecting the social platforms that best align with the brand’s goals and target audience. Once the right platforms are chosen, the SMM team — which includes strategists, writers, designers, and community managers — develops and implements a data-driven strategy to build a strong online presence. 

Their main services include: 

• Competitive analysis  
  Researching competitors' social media performance to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for differentiation 
• Social media strategy  
  Developing a plan for achieving brand goals on social platforms, including content themes, posting schedules, and engagement tactics 
• Content creation  
  Crafting high-quality visuals, videos, and text to engage target audiences and authentically represent a brand 
• Social media management  
  Overseeing all aspects of a brand’s social presence, from posting and engagement to maintaining a consistent voice across platforms 
• Community management  
  Interacting with followers, responding to comments, and fostering a positive, engaged online community around the brand 
• Social media advertising  
  Running targeted ad campaigns on social networking sites to increase visibility, reach, and conversions 
• Influencer marketing  
  Partnering with relevant influencers to promote the brand and reach a broader audience 
• Analytics and reporting  
  Tracking and analyzing social media metrics to assess performance and adjust strategies as necessary 
• Social listening  
  Monitoring online conversations to understand audience sentiment, perception, trends, and feedback on the brand and its relevance 

Social media marketing agencies offer platform-specific strategies, paid campaigns, influencer partnerships, and industry-focused solutions. They help businesses grow online through targeted content, audience engagement, and data-driven performance tracking.

Common services and subspecializations of social media marketing companies include:

• AI social media marketing
  Uses AI tools to automate post creation, schedule content, and analyze audience data for better engagement.
• B2B social media marketing
  Focuses on lead generation and authority building using LinkedIn, Twitter, and niche communities.
• Enterprise social media marketing
  Manages large-scale campaigns with advanced reporting, content workflows, and cross-department coordination.
• Facebook & Instagram marketing
  Develops content calendars, manages Meta ads, monitors engagement, and builds communities
• TikTok marketing
  Creates short-form video content, runs influencer collaborations, and optimizes trends for reach
• LinkedIn marketing
  Builds executive profiles, runs sponsored lead ads, and shares industry insights for B2B growth
• Twitter (X) marketing
  Handles real-time brand messaging, hashtag trends, and customer interactions
• Pinterest marketing
  Designs visual pins, builds boards, and runs promoted pins for eCommerce and lifestyle brands
• Reddit marketing
  Engages in niche subreddits, runs AMA campaigns, and builds trust with community-focused content
• Snapchat marketing
  Produces ephemeral content, geofilters, and story ads for younger demographics
• Influencer marketing
  Identifies creators, manages partnerships, and tracks influencer content performance
• Restaurant social media marketing
  Promotes menus, events, and reviews on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to drive local foot traffic
• Social media for gamers
  Grows followings on Twitch, Discord, and YouTube; manages sponsorships and clips
• Nonprofit social media marketing
  Builds awareness, donor campaigns, and community engagement across Facebook and Instagram
• Small business social media marketing
  Offers local content, reviews management, and low-cost ad strategies for growth
• Social media consulting
  Audits current efforts, builds strategy playbooks, and trains internal teams 

Popular locations offering these services:

• United States
  • New York
  • Los Angeles
  • Austin
  • Miami
  • Chicago
    
    
• United Kingdom
  • London
    
    
• California Hubs
  • San Francisco
  • San Diego
  • Orange County 

Agencies tailor services by platform, audience, and industry — ranging from fast content creation to full-scale, data-backed campaigns. 

Social media marketing agencies can be categorized based on their services and platform specializations: 

• Consulting agencies
  Advise and create strategies for effective social media account management 
• Campaign management agencies
  Plan social media campaigns, run ads, and track success metrics 
• Publishing agencies
  Post content on social media, ensuring optimal timing, audience targeting, and brand integration 
• Content creation agencies
  Produce original, high-quality content 
• Community management agencies
  Engage with potential and existing customers, addressing queries, and fostering loyalty 
• Full-service agencies
  Comprehensive services that cover the above specialties 

Additionally, companies that manage social media can be differentiated by their platform expertise. Some provide strategies for the most popular social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, while others specialize in niche platforms like Medium or Twitch.

Social media marketing connects businesses with billions of users across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Twitter, and other social media platforms. According to statistics, as of 2025, over 63% of the global population uses social media, spending more than two hours per day on average.  

Studies show that 73% of marketers report increased website traffic, 65% generate leads, and 52% attribute sales growth to social media. Platforms offer advanced targeting options — by age, location, interests, and behavior — allowing brands to reach the right audience with precision. 

Beyond visibility, social media builds trust and loyalty. Brands that engage directly with followers see higher retention, and 60% of consumers trust influencer recommendations over traditional ads. Social also plays a key role in reputation management and customer support. 

For business owners, social media marketing offers a high-ROI, low-barrier channel that supports growth, strengthens brand presence, and delivers measurable impact across the customer journey. 

Social media marketing companies charge from $15 to over $120 per hour, depending on their experience. Other common pricing structures include fixed monthly fees and per-project fees. 

Aside from experience, SMM costs differ depending on these considerations:  

• Agency’s location  
• Services required  
• Brand and business type  
• Platforms used  
• Content type 
• Advertising rates 
• Influencer targeting 

The top 50 social media marketing agencies on DesignRush charge an average of $105 per hour. 20.8% of these service providers accommodate smaller projects with budgets below $1,000, making them accessible to startups and emerging brands. Meanwhile, 1.8% cater to high-budget clients, requiring a minimum spend of $50,000 for data-driven campaigns, advanced analytics, in-depth brand alignment strategies, and accelerated digital growth.  

Social media marketing helps businesses grow by increasing visibility, engaging customers, and driving revenue. It serves as a direct communication channel between brands and consumers, enabling real-time feedback, relationship building, and brand trust.

It plays a key role in lead generation, customer acquisition, and retention. Businesses use social platforms to promote products, run targeted ads, and guide users through the sales funnel. Social media also supports brand positioning and competitive differentiation by showcasing values, culture, and expertise.

Yes, social media marketing companies can help with content creation. Staffed with writing, graphic design, photography, and videography professionals, they produce captivating content that resonates with target audiences across various platforms. 

Moreover, social media marketing companies can help you determine which type of content resonates the best with the platform’s audience. Here is what to post on the most popular platforms: 

• Facebook
  Videos and curated content 
• Instagram
  High-resolution photos, quotes, and stories 
• Twitter
  News, blog posts, and GIFs 
• LinkedIn
  Job listings, company news, and professional content 
• Pinterest
  Infographics and step-by-step guides

You should hire a social media marketing company to leverage its strategy and content creation expertise, gain access to specialized tools and analytics, and improve your brand's presence and engagement on various social media platforms.  

When you hire social media marketing professionals, you: 

• Get access to deep expertise in customizing SMM strategies for holistic brand growth across channels 
• Ensure a steady stream of high-quality content that builds trust and resonates with your audience 
• Track performance metrics through accurate insights and meaningful reports so you achieve better results from optimized campaigns 
• Experience the flexibility of scaling campaigns up or down based on needs and budget without the hassle of managing additional in-house staff 
• Swiftly handle potential crises or reputation issues 

Success Story 

Our agency experts chose the following case study to showcase the real benefits of working with a professional social media advertising agency: 

• Challenge: Perfumious, an online fragrance retailer, sought to boost brand awareness amid high competition and declining sales. Its social media presence lacked effective engagement and needed a visual uplift and content overhaul to stand out. 
• Solution: Effeect redesigned the brand's social media profiles with aesthetic and engaging content, curated posts, and unique campaigns. The agency also integrated email marketing to enhance customer retention and brand retention. 
• Results: Thanks to Effeect's SMM initiatives, the client experienced: 
  • 45% more qualified leads 
  • 35% higher post-engagement rate 
  • 300% surge in unique visitors 
  • 200% sales boost 

A reputable social media agency has the expertise to produce high-performing content, the right talent to craft and enhance graphics, premium tools to schedule posts in advance, experience in running successful campaigns, and a focus on data and metrics. It should also actively utilize social media platforms to promote its own company and establish connections with clients. 

Other qualities that make a good social media agency include: 

• Team of creatives and social media experts 
• Ability to adjust campaigns based on real-time data 
• Fluency in the latest digital tools, technologies, and trends 
• Track record of successful campaigns 
• Measurable reports 
• Transparent pricing 
• Strong online presence

To choose the best social media marketing company, follow these steps:  

1. Define your goals 
   Clarify the short- and long-term goals you intend to achieve with social media marketing. Are you looking to build brand awareness, increase engagement, drive traffic, or convert followers into paying customers? 
2. Set a realistic budget 
   Establish a budget that aligns with the project scope and desired results to balance affordability with service quality. Understand that costs vary based on campaign duration, content needs, and targeted audience reach. 
3. Research and gather recommendations 
   Begin your search by checking reputable agency directories such as DesignRush. Look for agencies with positive reviews in industry publications. Compile a list of potential partners that cater to businesses similar to yours. 
4. Review reputation and experience 
   Look into the agency’s background, including how long it's worked in social media marketing and any recognitions it's earned. Client feedback and online reviews offer valuable insights into the agency's reliability and ability to deliver results. 
5. Evaluate portfolios and case studies 
   Examine the portfolios to get a glimpse of their experience and campaigns. Check for examples that showcase strong branding, high engagement, and measurable results. These can reveal social media marketing agencies’ strengths and creative approach. 
6. Assess SMM expertise 
   Ensure the agency has a deep knowledge of platform algorithms, ad targeting, content trends, and audience behaviors. It's essential for building effective strategies that resonate with your target demographic. 
7. Consider agency size and resources 
   Depending on the complexity of your social media goals, decide whether a large firm or a boutique agency would be a better fit. Smaller agencies often provide personalized attention, while larger ones may have a wider range of in-house specialists for managing multiple channels or complex campaigns. 
8. Shortlist and reach out 
   Narrow down your list to agencies that meet your criteria and initiate contact. A well-prepared social media request for proposal (RFP) will help clarify their ability to address your needs and allow you to compare their approaches. 
9. Evaluate proposals and meet with agencies 
   Review proposals for their strategic and creative insights, then arrange interviews to gauge each agency’s understanding of your brand. 
10. Discuss expected ROI 
    Ask each agency about the expected ROI and how they measure success on social media. A transparent discussion about costs, past performance, and the methods used to achieve results will help ensure your investment is worthwhile. 
11. Make a decision 
    Choose a social media marketing agency that matches your needs, budget, and personality. The right SMM partner will bring expertise, innovation, and a unique approach to driving your social media success. 

Contact us if you have trouble finding the best social media marketing company for your brand. We will help you find the right provider for your business needs — completely free. Visit our Marketplace for more information. 

To find the best social media marketing agency on DesignRush that fits your budget, use our filters. You can sort agencies by budget range, from $1,000 to over $50,000, and refine your search based on hourly rates.

We present a comprehensive overview of agency profiles so you can compare your options by location, areas of expertise, ratings, and team size. A well-rounded assessment will help you find the ideal partner for your brand’s social media growth. 

Social media marketing offers measurable business value across multiple areas. Key benefits include: 

• Increased brand awareness
  Social platforms quickly expose businesses to large audiences. Over 4.8 billion people use social media globally, which makes it a cost-effective way to build recognition.
• Targeted advertising
  Platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and TikTok allow precise audience targeting by interests, behavior, location, and demographics, which improves ad relevance and ROI.
• Higher website traffic and sales
  Social campaigns and posts drive users to landing pages and e-commerce stores. 73% of marketers say social media increases website visits, and over half report direct sales gains.
• Stronger customer engagement
  Social media enables real-time interaction. Brands can respond to questions, comments, and reviews, boosting customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Improved customer insights
  Social platforms provide analytics on user behavior, preferences, and sentiment. Businesses use this data to refine content, messaging, and product strategies.
• Cost efficiency
  Compared to traditional media, social marketing offers high returns with low entry costs, making it accessible for startups and small businesses.
• Competitive advantage
  Brands that are active and strategic on social media can outpace slower competitors — especially in trend adoption, influencer partnerships, and community building.

When hiring social media marketing agencies, watch out for the following red flags to avoid wasting time and resources: 

• Metrics without strategy explanation 
  Agencies that flaunt vanity metrics (like follower counts or post-engagement rates) and can't explain how these translate into your specific goals should raise concerns. 
• Overuse of generic content templates 
  If an agency’s portfolio or proposal is filled with overly generalized templates that could apply to any brand, it’s a red flag. Avoid agencies that don’t discuss creating custom, brand-aligned visuals and messaging. 
• One-size-fits-all platform approach 
  Be wary of agencies that mindlessly treat Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok in the same way and, in turn, fail to tailor their strategies depending on the platform's specific audience and requirements. 
• Minimal transparency on reporting frequency and depth 
  Veer from firms that promise "regular updates" but can’t provide a clear, consistent reporting structure to keep you informed. 
• Instant result guarantee 
  Social media growth and ROI require consistent effort and authentic engagement over time. Avoid agencies that promise rapid follower growth, viral posts, or immediate conversions, as these claims often signal unethical methods or a lack of realistic planning. 
• No mention of testing and optimization 
  If an agency doesn’t discuss A/B testing content, experimenting with different ad formats, or refining based on analytics, it may lack the strategic depth needed for long-term success. 
• Unfamiliarity with emerging trends 
  Agencies that rely only on basic tactics like hashtag usage or frequent posting without any mention of current or upcoming trends could be behind the times. Ask them about recent shifts (e.g., new platform features, trending content formats) to gauge their awareness of where social media is heading. 
• Push for long contracts with limited flexibility 
  Be cautious if an agency pushes for long-term contracts with restrictive termination clauses. 

The key success metrics in social media marketing are as follows: 

• Engagement rate 
  The users' interaction level with your content, including likes, comments, shares, and saves 
• Reach 
  The number of unique users who are exposed to your content 
• Impressions 
  How many times your content is displayed in front of viewers, regardless of clicks 
• Follower growth rate 
  Your audience growth, indicating interest in your brand 
• Sentiment analysis 
  The tone of user comments and mentions that suggests content effectiveness, brand visibility, and perception 
• Click-through rate (CTR) 
  The percentage of people who click on a link, call-to-action (CTA), or ad in your post 
• Conversion rate 
  The percentage of users who complete a desired action (purchase, sign-up, download) after engaging with your content 
• Return on investment (ROI) 
  The revenue generated compared with the total cost of social media campaigns 
• Customer satisfaction 
  Social feedback based on direct audience interactions and responses 

The key questions you should ask a potential social media marketing partner include its background, services and processes, and the project. 

Its Relevant Background 

1. How long have you provided social media marketing services? Which social media tactics do you have experience in (e.g., strategy, daily management, community management, dedicated campaigns, cross-platform campaigns, influencer marketing, etc.)?  
2. What social media platforms do you specialize in? How do you stay up-to-date with the latest social media features, algorithms, and trends?  
3. What clients have you worked with in the past? Can you provide references from past clients, particularly those in a similar industry or with similar goals?  
4. What were some of your most successful projects?  
5. What projects have you worked on that didn’t produce the results you desired? What did you learn from those campaigns and initiatives? 

Its Services and Processes 

1. How do you identify the goals, demographics, and strategies for each social platform and campaign?   
2. How do you determine the right channels, trends, and influencers for our brand?  
3. What tools do you use for daily social media and community management?  
4. What programs do you use to track analytics? Will we have access to those tools as well? 

Relevant to Your Project 

1. How will you determine timelines and deliverables for our project?  
2. Which aspects of social media management are handled in-house? What, if any, are outsourced? Do you have a team of designers or videographers on hand to create images, graphics, and social videos?  
3. Which team members will be dedicated to our account or project? What are their areas of expertise?  
4. Will our social media strategy be fully customized to our brand, or do you use templated approaches?  
5. How many drafts will you provide for each project?  
6. How much involvement is required from our team? What kind of collaboration do you expect?  
7. How do you prefer to communicate? How many meetings will we have each week/month?  
8. How often will you report to us on campaign success? What metrics will be included in each report?  
9. What tangible results can we expect from our collaboration regarding engagement, reach, leads, etc.? What is considered a strong performance on the major platforms?  
10. What is your pay structure like? Are there any additional fees we should be aware of? 

The best social media marketing agencies in the US are: 

1. SmartSites 
   • 5.0 stars on DesignRush (51 reviews) 
   • 4.9 stars on Google (678 reviews) 
   • Top clients: Audi New Rochelle, Diamond Home Sales, HUND Denmark, Porsche Brooklyn 
2. Aimers 
   • 4.9 stars on DesignRush (17 reviews) 
   • Top clients: Automattic, Mixpanel, SaaStr, Originality.ai 
3. Joseph Studios 
   • 4.9 stars on DesignRush (20 reviews) 
   • 5.0 stars on Google (22 reviews) 
   • Top clients: Rolex, Babel, Delta Air Lines, Sight and Sound Gallery 
4. Intero Digital 
   • 4.9 stars on DesignRush (25 reviews) 
   • 4.8 stars on Google (225 reviews) 
   • Top clients: Jaguar, University of Colorado, Ace Hardware, Land Rover 
5. Disruptive Advertising 
   • 4.9 stars on DesignRush (42 reviews) 
   • 4.7 stars on Google (301 reviews) 
   • Top clients: Adobe, Diesel Power Gear, Fandango, Conoco Phillips