Outsourcing social media marketing allows businesses to delegate some or all of their marketing tasks to specialized companies that can help boost their brand presence on social platforms. It saves time and effort and lets you focus more on driving your business.
In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about outsourcing social media management. We’ll start with why businesses should consider it, discuss the benefits, and provide tips on how to choose the right agency. Finally, we'll highlight the top five outsourcing social media marketing agencies in 2025.
Table of Contents
- Why Outsource Social Media Management?
- Social Media Management Outsourcing Benefits
- 5 Key Considerations When Outsourcing Social Media Management
- How To Vet an Outsourced Social Media Manager
- 5 Common Mistakes To Avoid in Social Media Management Outsourcing
- Hiring an Agency vs Freelancers: Which Is Better for Social Media Management?
- Top Social Media Management Companies To Outsource Your Project To
- Social Media Management Outsourcing: Final Thoughts
Why Outsource Social Media Management?
While having an active social media presence is essential, the amount of time required to manage your various platforms can be overwhelming. This especially goes for smaller businesses that don't have time to devote an employee solely to social media.
Outsourcing social media marketing to top social media marketing agencies allows you to focus on other things while a team of professionals takes care of your social media platforms. It's a cost-effective way to manage multiple platforms efficiently and effectively, all while reaching your target audience promptly.
Social Media Management Outsourcing Benefits
By outsourcing social media management, companies can save time and resources while ensuring a consistent and effective online presence.
Its other benefits include:
- Allows you to focus on what you do best for your business
- Lets you have more free time to spend however you want
- Gives more control over which types of content to post and when to publish
- Outsourcing offers a broader range of services and expertise.
- Adds more value for your money
- Potentially gain a higher return on your investment
- A social media manager’s experience working with multiple clients brings consistency and best practices.
- Outsourcing offers flexibility in setting deadlines and how quickly each task will be completed.
- Access expert advice on how best to structure your posts to effectively reach your target audience at various stages of the buyer’s journey.
5 Key Considerations When Outsourcing Social Media Management
As we showed, social media management outsourcing is an excellent way for businesses to streamline their online marketing efforts. However, there are five things you should keep in mind to make the most of the right agency or freelancer:
- Set your social media marketing goals
- Decide when and what type of content to post
- Put safety measures and legal precautions in place
- Choose the right social media management tool
- Monitor your social media management tools
1. Set Your Social Media Marketing Goals
This step is important in social media management outsourcing because it helps you create a clear and focused strategy that aligns with your business’s objectives. You need to identify what you want to achieve from your social media efforts, including lead generation, brand awareness, or increasing website traffic.
Focus on SMART goals — Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely. By defining these goals, you can evaluate the success of your campaign, allowing you to allocate resources effectively and adjust your strategy as needed. This also allows you to maximize your investment and get the desired results.
Tommy House, Owner and Creative Director of Tommy House Studios, states: “Choose a partner who understands and aligns with your brand identity and goals. The SMM strategy must resonate with the target audience while staying true to the brand's voice and values. Make sure the relationship is a great fit!”
2. Decide When and What Type of Content to Post
Posting the right content at the right time can make or break your brand. Timing your posts effectively can drive conversions or boost engagement. To determine the best strategy, consider asking these key questions:
- What's the optimal time to post on social media posts?
- Are there certain types of posts that have been more successful than others?
- What kind of content resonates most with your audience?
Ä°rem Altıparmak, Growth Marketing Manager at MWJ, highlights the importance of understanding social media's dynamics compared to algorithms: “With the support of professionals who know your industry, you can increase the quality of content, which is more important than algorithms. High-quality content eats algorithms for breakfast!”
3. Put Safety Measures and Legal Precautions in Place
Protect your business by having a contract and an emergency action plan. It’s essential to have a backup plan in case something goes wrong with your social media manager. For example, if your manager is unexpectedly unavailable, ensure you have someone else on standby to handle urgent tasks.
4. Choose the Right Social Media Management Tool
Social media management tools are valuable even if you outsource the work. You can still use these tools yourself or inform the agency of your preferred platforms. Here are some options:
- Hootsuite is ideal for businesses with multiple social media accounts, as it allows you to manage all of them from one place. Its free version also gives you access to critical features like scheduling posts and communicating with followers.
- Buffer is perfect if you're looking for an easy way to schedule your content ahead of time based on when your audience is online.
- Sprout Social is an ideal social media marketing tool for small businesses who want more advanced features than Hootsuite without spending too much on software.
5. Monitor Your Social Media Management Tools
When the time comes for those posts to go live, it's always a good idea to check back and ensure everything looks right before hitting publish. If you're using an RSS feed from another website or aggregator like Feedly, posts may sometimes be published out of order or not as the creators intended. Monitoring your social media tools and their outcomes is key to ensuring everything runs smoothly.
How To Vet an Outsourced Social Media Manager
Before outsourcing social media management, you should vet the agency before choosing it. It should be qualified for the job and can deliver on expectations.
Haroon Jilani, Founder and CEO of Digital Cauldron, states: “Outsourcing social media management demands a partner deeply versed in audience segmentation, trend analysis, and ROI-driven campaigns. Choose an agency adept at crafting tailored strategies to amplify brand resonance and foster authentic connections.”
Here are a few tips to ensure that an outsourced social media manager can handle your projects:
- Determine what you’re looking for in a social media manager
- Look into the social media manager's history
- Research your hire's references
- Ask how they'll keep you in the loop on progress or issues
- Take advantage of a trial period
1. Determine What You're Looking for in a Social Media Manager
To determine the right candidate, consider the following questions:
- What is the main purpose of your social media manager?
- What are their primary responsibilities? (e.g., communicating with customers and potential clients, managing an existing presence on multiple platforms, building new accounts from scratch, or developing content consistently across channels while maintaining consistency)
- How much are you willing to spend for this position?
All these questions will help you pinpoint exactly what you need in a social media manager.
2. Look Into the Social Media Manager's History
When vetting your social media manager, look at three main areas: their history, strategy, and skills. Let's take a closer look at each of these:
- History: Review what they have done in the past, including their social media work, projects, and case studies.
- What kind of content does their company produce?
- How often do they post? What are the results of their work?
- How has their work impacted the business overall?
- Strategy: Your next step should be looking into your potential partner's techniques and approaches for managing your presence online.
- How do they plan to represent you across different platforms?
- How would they approach setting up a new account, such as on Instagram?
- How will they handle scheduling and promoting posts?
- Skills: The next step is to evaluate the social media manager’s past work, including samples, client handling, and strengths, to determine their skillset and expertise. For example, if you need to outsource content writing, ensure the agency or manager offers that service.
3. Research Your Hire's References
Ask your social media manager for at least three references — and be sure to contact them all. This will give you valuable insights into the candidate’s background and experience, as well as how others view their work.
Consider these questions:
- How long have they been working in the field? If they're new, do they have enough relevant experience?
- What do they do well? What are their strengths?
- Why do previous employers recommend them?
- What were the results of their previous projects?
4. Ask How They'll Keep You in the Loop on Progress or Issues
You'll need an open line of communication between you and your SMM team so that you know how things are going. For this relationship to work, both parties need to understand the value of their work and how it contributes to achieving business goals.
You'll also want to assess their communication skills. So, ask yourself:
- Do they respond quickly?
- Are they easy to get a hold of when you need them urgently?
- Can they clearly explain their strategies?
If your outsourced social media manager is challenging to communicate with, this problem will likely increase as your business grows.
Donald Kim, CEO & Founder of Optimized Webmedia, emphasizes another crucial aspect of SMM outsourcing: “Businesses should be aware of how they will measure progress and success. A good social media manager should know how and what to measure. You should outline, clarify, and measure key performance indicators such as impressions, engagements, link clicks, and video views.”
5. Take Advantage of a Trial Period
The best way to know if the social media outsourcing process is worth it is to try it. This is where a trial period comes in. A trial period can last anywhere from a few weeks to a month. It will give you an idea of how well the outsourcing agency fits in with your company culture, how fast it works, and what results it can deliver.
During the trial period, check whether the company adheres to all contract stipulations. A contract should be ready before beginning any work on your account(s). It should include:
- Tasks during each phase (e.g., creating a content calendar)
- Timeframe of completion (e.g., weekly)
- Any goals for growth or engagement during specific periods (e.g., increase followers by 100 per week)
5 Common Mistakes To Avoid in Social Media Management Outsourcing
When outsourcing social media management, there are a few common mistakes to avoid:
- Not asking for references: Always ask for references from previous clients. Consider this a red flag if an agency or freelancer hesitates to provide connections.
- Forgetting the contract: A contract should outline the details of your agreement, including who will do what work and how much it will cost. Ensure everyone understands what they're signing up for and what they can expect from their relationship with the other party — in this case, your social media manager.
- Not overseeing your social media manager: If your partner is not providing the quality of work you expect, you should address it immediately so they can adjust accordingly.
- Hiring an agency that doesn’t specialize in your niche: The best agencies specialize in a specific niche, like financial planning or real estate. General agencies can handle any business, but it’s best if you can find specialized outsourcing social media marketing experts.
- Not having a clear outline of tasks: If you don't set expectations for your goals, it could lead to poor results and miscommunication.
Hiring an Agency vs Freelancers: Which Is Better for Social Media Management?
Hiring a social media marketing company or individual freelancer means that you get expert advice and guidance from someone who specializes in your industry.
They will help you create engaging content and manage your accounts daily, so they run smoothly without wasting too much of your time.
Both have pros and cons—and it's essential to consider the unique needs of your business when making the decision.
Here's how to know which is better for your needs.
1. Agency
Agencies are like one-stop shops for social media management. They have a team of people who manage multiple accounts, handling crucial day-to-day tasks, including strategy development, content creation, community management, analytics, performance monitoring, ad management, and more.
Agencies can tap into experts with several years of experience to gain insights into best practices. They take any applicable tips to help your brand’s channels.
Regarding social media management outsourcing, agencies are also more consistent and reliable. Even if the point person for your brand is out of the office or on vacation, another expert can step in to maintain your brand’s momentum.
Working with a social media marketing agency can cost anywhere from $50 to $500 monthly. However, these social media marketing costs vary depending on their service level, team size, and budget.
If increased convenience, expertise, and consistency are more important factors for your business than cost, then an agency may be worth considering.
2. Freelancers
Freelancers work remotely, so when you outsource social media marketing to a freelancer, there’s no need to provide office space or require in-person meetings. The benefits of hiring freelancers for your social media efforts include the ability to work alone or as part of a team, flexibility, and the speed with which you can get results.
You'll have control over how much time they spend working on your account, which is especially important if you manage multiple accounts for different clients.
Freelancers are typically cheaper than agencies because they don't require salaries or benefits. However, additional costs, like equipment rental or purchase, may be associated with working remotely. Hiring freelancers may be the way to go if cost is a key factor for you.
Top Social Media Management Companies To Outsource Your Project To
Before we wrap up, let’s go over the top five social media management outsourcing companies today:
1. Excal Design

- Location: Chicago, IL
- Average Hourly Rate: On inquiry
- Expertise: Branding, 360-degree Digital Services, Logo Design, Graphic Design...
Excal Design Inc. is one of the top branding agencies in Chicago specializing in branding and digital marketing. It provides full-scale digital services, including social media management.
Other services include:
- Strategic planning
- Web design
- Experience design
- Cross-media design
- Creative solutions
- Brand consulting
Since 1994, the agency's mission has been to create end-to-end brand experiences for businesses through design and other value-added services. The company can help with growth hacking and achieving optimum brand value, whether your company is a startup or an established business.
2. J Drake Web Design

- Location: N. Chesterfield, VA
- Average Hourly Rate: $100
- Expertise: Social Media Marketing, Branding, 360-degree Digital Services, Small Business Branding...
J Drake Web Design is a company that builds problem-facing solutions for its clients, from creating a brand identity or a logo to rebuilding a website for established businesses. The agency begins by researching and discovering its clients' brands and checking their industry to identify the company's UVP.
Then, J Drake Web Design develops and deploys the plan into action so that the client’s audience can experience the brand positively and meaningfully while retaining the unique solution that works for the company within their parameters and budgets.
3. Redbear

- Location: Orange County, CA
- Average Hourly Rate: $150
- Expertise: Branding, Search Engine Marketing, SEO
Redbear Marketing is an award-winning digital agency that partners with brands seeking transformative business results. With its experience in advanced digital marketing and advertising technologies, it provides services and consulting in SEO, social media branding, reputation management, data strategy, content marketing, ad buying, and analytics.
The agency believes in a holistic approach where all aspects of its clients' teams work together. It doesn't matter if the clients are developing a digital ad campaign or producing a commercial; everyone must be on the same page and working together.
4. CIS Agency

- Location: Grand Rapids, MI
- Average Hourly Rate: $50
- Expertise: Social Media Marketing, Digital Marketing, Branding, SEO...
CIS Agency understands that a business image is one of the most valuable assets to its clients and is critical in achieving their short and long-term goals. The agency has experience working with various national and international companies in different industries.
Whether its clients need to create their website or want ongoing monthly support to maximize web traffic, CIS Agency has the tools, relationships, and expertise to provide everything. From website development to marketing services that perfectly reflect any business, CIS Agency can do it all.
5. Bubbly Creative

- Location: 120 Washington Street Suite 202 Salem, MA 01970, Salem, Massachusetts 01970, United States
- Average Hourly Rate: $150/hr
- Expertise: 360° Digital Services, Digital Strategy, Branding, Small Business Branding...
Bubbly Creative is an agency that acknowledges that digital marketing and content marketing drive traffic to websites, inform decisions, provide value, and build awareness and credibility for brands and organizations. The agency helps clients find their brand purpose and mission, as well as assisting them in constructing a brand voice that captures the imagination of their qualified audience.
Bubbly has the passion and expertise their clients need to find their true voice while creating a cohesive social media strategy, threading creative, exciting content throughout the website, social profiles, email marketing, marketing materials, and blogs.
Social Media Management Outsourcing: Final Thoughts
Social media management outsourcing is a great way to free up your time and ensure you get the most out of your social media content strategy.
But, as Raissa Santana, Content Strategist at Ocupe Digital, highlights: “An eagerness to learn is essential within an outsourced team: If they are an extension of you, they must truly comprehend your business. Technicalities in managing social media are undeniably highly desired but won't do without everyone being deeply invested in embodying your purpose or values.”
Consider what you want from your social media strategy and how to achieve those goals best and then look for the social media outsourcing option that suits your business the most. Working with a freelancer or a top social media marketing agency that fits your needs can help promote your brand effectively across all platforms.