Social Media Outsourcing: Complete Guide for Small Businesses

Thinking about letting someone else manage your social media accounts? Many small business owners want results but lack the hours. For them, social media outsourcing is appealing. The question is: is social media outsourcing a path to growth or just another business expense?

You’re posting social media content each week. Likes trickle in, and your social media presence grows slowly. Running social media advertising often feels like wasted dollars. If you’ve wondered whether outsourcing social media could make better use of your time, this guide is for you.

You’ll discover what happens when you outsource social media marketing, what the real social media marketing cost looks like, and whether outsourcing social media management fits your business goals. We’ll cover what works, what to avoid, and how to get the most from every dollar.

Social Media Outsourcing

Social media outsourcing is when a business hires outside professionals, such as agencies or freelancers, to handle their social media accounts. These experts create content, post updates, respond to comments, and track results. Small businesses use social media outsourcing to save time and get expert support without needing to hire a full in-house team.

A. Tasks You Can Outsource

Outsourcing social media management isn’t just about saving time. It allows businesses to access efficiency, specialised expertise, and new ideas. Delegating repetitive social media efforts frees your internal team to focus on strategy development, creativity, and business growth.

1. Content Creation: Producing engaging social media posts, visuals, and short form videos that reflect your brand voice. This includes content creation workflows, editorial calendars, and brand messaging across multiple social media platforms.

2. Scheduling and Posting: Publishing social media content at the best times so posts reach your target audience when engagement is highest.

3. Community Engagement: Building stronger connections by answering messages, responding to social media comments, and turning followers into loyal customers.

4. Advanced Analytics and Reporting: Using data driven content to reveal what works, what needs change, and how to refine your social media strategy.

5.  Social Media Advertising: Running targeted campaigns that drive clicks, conversions, and growth. Outsourcing social media advertising services cover campaign planning, audience targeting, ad creative, budget management, and optimization across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

6. Social Media Monitoring: Tracking brand mentions, competitor activity, and industry discussions across social media channels to safeguard reputation and spark engagement opportunities.

B. In-House vs. Outsourced Social Media

The choice between an in house team and outsourcing social media management affects resources and results. In-house management offers control, while outsourcing your social media provides specialised knowledge, scalability, and cost savings.

Here’s a breakdown to help you decide:

Benefits of Social Media Outsourcing Services

Many small businesses struggle with consistent social media marketing. Choosing social media outsourcing or hiring an outsourced social media manager saves time, reduces costs, and strengthens engagement across social media platforms. With a clear social media strategy, professional social media management services help companies grow their social media presence, reach potential clients, and stay competitive against other agencies.

Here’s how outsourcing social media marketing delivers key benefits for small businesses: 

1. Saves Time: Focus on Business Growth

Managing social media accounts means constant content creation, audience interaction, and strategy updates. Outsourcing social media management lets business owners focus on growth while experts handle day-to-day social media efforts.

2. Cost-Effective: Save on Hiring & Training

An in house team requires salaries, tools, and training. With social media outsourcing, companies hire a skilled social media manager or social media agency at a lower pricing structure. It’s a cost-saving way to maintain social media accounts without heavy overhead.

3. Better Engagement: Build a Strong Community

An outsourced social media manager uses social media tools and creates engaging content for the target audience. Tracking performance metrics boosts brand communication and drives community engagement across multiple social media channels.

4. Improved Strategy: Stay Ahead of Trends

Social media management tools and advanced analytics refine social media campaigns. A social media marketing agency shares valuable insights into upcoming trends, ensuring companies remain competitive with better strategy development and a data driven approach.

5. Risk Management: Protect Brand Reputation

Social media outsourcing services prevent mistakes that hurt brands. A social media marketing agency manages crises, negative customer comments, and protects a brand’s identity while aligning with the business’s values. 

6. Competitive Advantage: Outshine Your Rivals

A strong social presence improves lead generation and keeps companies ahead of competitors. Outsourcing social media marketing builds a structured social media strategy that aligns with business goals and supports business growth.

7. Scalability and Flexibility: Grow at Your Own Pace

With an outsourced team, companies scale their social media efforts based on need. Whether requiring real estate social media posts, social media advertising, or expansion into various platforms, outsourcing social media adapts to growth. 

Social Media Outsourcing Strategy: How to Do It Right

A strong social media outsourcing strategy protects brand identity while experts manage social media efforts. Whether partnering with a social media agency or hiring a freelancer, clear goals, defined brand voice, and regular performance metrics ensure social media success.

Here’s how to design a social media outsourcing strategy that produces measurable results:

1. Set Social Media Marketing Goals

Before outsourcing social media marketing, define what your company wants from its social media presence. Goals must be clear, measurable, and aligned with overall business growth.

Examples of Smart Goals:

• Boost brand awareness by 30% in six months
• Generate 50+ leads monthly through social media campaigns
• Improve community engagement by responding to all messages in 24 hours
• Drive 20% more website traffic via optimized social media posts

A skilled social media marketing agency adapts its social media strategy to hit these goals using a data driven approach.

2. Choose the Right Outsourcing Model

Different outsourcing social media management models offer unique benefits. Select the model that fits your business needs, budget, and desired social media marketing services.

A. Freelancers

Suitable for small businesses that need a capable social media manager for content creation and social media account management. Affordable, but often lack experience with bigger social media campaigns.

B. Social Media Agency

Best for small businesses looking for full-service social media management, including social media advertising, social media influencer agreement, analytics, and community engagement. More expensive but offers specialized knowledge and platform-specific expertise across various platforms. Agencies typically have dedicated paid social experts who manage complex advertising campaigns and optimize ad spend for maximum return on investment. Partnering with a content repurposing agency can also help businesses maximize the value of their existing content by adapting it for different platforms and formats, further enhancing reach and efficiency.

C. Offshore Social Media Managers

Ideal for small businesses that want cost-effective social media management from dedicated professionals. Offshore managers deliver specialized knowledge at reduced rates while keeping high standards across time zones.

Benefits of Hiring Offshore:

• Lower social media outsourcing cost compared to local agencies
• Access to global talent with diverse skills
• 24/7 social media management across time zones
• Dedicated professionals managing your social media accounts

Considerations:

• Communication may require flexible scheduling across time zones
• Cultural differences may need adjustment for consistent brand communication
• Language skills must match your target audience’s expectations

3. Set Clear Guidelines for Consistency

For effective social media outsourcing, your outsourced team must understand and maintain consistent brand communication.

A. Define Your Brand Voice & Tone

Decide if your brand voice should be professional, friendly, or fun. Keep the tone consistent across all social media channels to protect identity and strengthen social presence.

B. Content Themes to Keep Your Feed Engaging

An outsourced social media manager should know what resonates with your target audience.

• Behind-the-scenes: Highlight your in house team in action.
• Customer testimonials: Share customer comments to build trust.
• Product showcases: Feature best-sellers to drive business growth and lead generation.
• Industry news & tips: Share insights to establish authority.
• Polls & Q&A sessions: Encourage community engagement.
• Giveaways & promotions: Increase reach with engaging content that sparks participation.

C. Posting Frequency

Decide how many social media posts per week are needed across various platforms. Rely on social media management tools like RecurPost to schedule and track social media content.

D. Design Asset Guidelines for Outsourcing

When outsourcing social media design creation, share detailed instructions to keep visuals consistent:

• Brand Colours & Fonts: Include exact codes and approved typography.
• Logo Usage: Provide clear rules for placement, sizing, and spacing in different post types.
• Image Dimensions: Match each social media platform’s requirements for best display.
• Visual Style: Define if your brand is minimalist, bold, or playful.
• Content Templates: Build reusable layouts for quotes, product features, and announcements.
• Approval Process: Set up a workflow where assets get reviewed before publishing, ensuring your outsourced team delivers on-brand results.

4. Track and Measure Results

Social media outsourcing services must include performance tracking. Trusted social media marketing services use clear performance metrics and KPIs to measure results.

Important Metrics to Monitor

• Engagement rate: Are people interacting with your social media content?
• Follower growth: Is your social media presence expanding?
• Website traffic: Are your social media posts driving visitors to your site?
• Conversion rate: Are your social media efforts turning into sales and boosting business growth?

Top Outsourcing Social Media Management Companies

Choose the right social media outsourcing company based on your business needs, budget, and required platform features. Partnering with reliable social media management services helps small businesses strengthen their online presence and achieve long-term marketing goals.

Finding the Best Social Media Marketing Agency: Top Instagram Marketing Agencies (Global & USA)

For many companies, Instagram marketing is the most powerful way to build community and drive sales. Social media outsourcing with the right social media marketing agency removes daily posting tasks while giving your brand an Instagram presence that grows consistently.

Here are some of the top Instagram marketing agencies in 2025 worth considering:

• The Goat Agency: An influencer-first agency specializing in Instagram creator partnerships. They help brands connect with influencers and scale Instagram campaigns for measurable results.
• Viral Nation: Known for influencer and talent management, this firm builds viral Instagram campaigns that blend creativity with performance marketing.
• Ubiquitous: A major influencer marketing agency delivering high-impact Instagram and TikTok campaigns, backed by strong brand collaborations.
• Fresh Content Society (FCS): A social media agency creating custom Instagram strategies. They handle everything from content creation to feed design and Reels production.
• Sociallyin: A creative social media agency with an “Instagram-first” approach. Specialties include feed planning, visual storytelling, and engagement campaigns that increase followers and brand awareness.
• True North Social: A boutique Instagram marketing agency focused on photography, content creation, and Instagram ads. They’re trusted by small businesses and mid-sized brands to grow organically.
• LYFE Marketing: Specializes in Instagram advertising and social media content for small businesses. Known for cost-effective advertising campaigns that generate leads and sales.
• Obviously: An influencer agency with a massive creator network. They manage Instagram campaigns for global brands and startups, pairing companies with the right creators.
• Firebelly Marketing: Known for authentic Instagram community building. They combine content creation with engagement strategies to make brands stand out visually.
• Brick Media: A social-first agency producing Instagram content rooted in storytelling, authenticity, and audience connection.
• Clicks Talent: A firm sourcing micro-influencers and Instagram creators, ideal for businesses seeking grassroots reach.
• The Influencer Marketing Factory: A creative agency focused on influencer-driven Instagram and TikTok campaigns, helping brands craft content that resonates with younger audiences.

Looking beyond Instagram, consider a full-service social media marketing agency to manage cross-platform social media outsourcing strategy and long-term growth.

A. What to Look for in an Agency or Freelancer

• Experience: Choose partners with a proven track record in social media marketing services, especially in your industry.
• Services Offered: Seek comprehensive solutions such as content creation, scheduling, analytics, and community engagement.
• Pricing: Review their pricing structure to ensure it fits your business needs without reducing quality.
• Client Testimonials: Check success stories and customer comments to measure satisfaction.
• Cultural Fit: Confirm their style and values align with your business’s values.

B. Checklist for Choosing the Right Partner

• Define Your Goals: Clearly state your social media marketing goals to guide your strategy.
• Assess Your Needs: Decide which tasks to outsource social media for, such as content creation or full social media account management.
• Research Potential Partners: Build a list of outsourcing social media management companies or freelancers with industry expertise. Platforms like The Shelf and Agency Vista are useful.
• Request Proposals: Ask for clear proposals covering approach, services, and pricing structure.
• Evaluate Communication: Ensure they communicate effectively and respond quickly.
• Review Contracts: Read terms carefully, focusing on deliverables, timelines, and accountability.
  
  Now, let’s review the top 3 outsourcing social media management companies or platforms that help businesses execute effective social media outsourcing strategies.

1. RecurPost

RecurPost is a leading social media management tool for small business owners who need to manage multiple social media accounts easily. It supports social media outsourcing strategies by simplifying content automation and keeping a strong social media presence without daily manual effort.

A. Features

Content Libraries: Save and reuse top-performing social media content for efficient social media outsourcing workflows.

AI-Powered Scheduling: Automates bulk social media posting for stronger audience engagement.

Detailed Analytics: Provide actionable insights into social media campaigns for better results.

B. Pricing

Free plan available. Paid plans begin at $25/month, making it a cost-effective option for small businesses using social media outsourcing services.

2. Hootsuite

Hootsuite is a veteran social media management platform that simplifies scheduling, monitoring, and analytics. It’s a top choice for businesses managing multiple social media channels. As part of a social media outsourcing strategy, it helps save time and deliver measurable results.

A. Features

Bulk Scheduling: Plan posts across various platforms at once.

Customizable Reports: Share analytics that track performance metrics.

Campaign Management: Run social media campaigns efficiently, from planning to reporting.

B. Pricing

Free plan available. Paid plans begin at $99/month, often used by companies with larger social media efforts.

3. Sprout Social

Sprout Social  is an all-in-one social media management tool covering every aspect of a social media strategy. Its Employee Advocacy feature stands out by letting staff share curated social media content, extending reach beyond brand channels.

A. Features

Social Listening Tools: Monitor brand mentions and industry trends for improved community engagement.

Advanced Analytics: Access in-depth reports with actionable data driven insights.

Post Tagging: Categorize social media posts to measure performance across themes or campaigns.

B. Pricing

Free trial available. Paid plans start at $199/month, generally chosen by agencies and outsourced teams handling complex social media outsourcing services.

Social Media Outsourcing Costs – What to Expect?

Many small businesses prioritize affordable social media management. Knowing the true social media outsourcing costs is vital for budget planning. Proper budget allocation ensures quality social media outsourcing services without overspending.

1. Factors Affecting Cost

Several factors influence social media outsourcing costs:

• Scope of Services: Full packages including social media strategy, content creation, posting, and analytics cost more than basic support.
• Number of Social Media Platforms: Managing multiple social media channels raises workload and expenses.
• Experience & Specialized Expertise: A skilled social media agency or freelancer with proven results may charge higher fees.
• Frequency of Social Media Posts: More frequent posting means additional content creation and higher costs.

2. Hidden Costs to Watch Out For

Be aware of potential hidden expenses in outsourcing social media management:

• Setup Fees: Initial account setup or onboarding charges.
• Ad Spend: Paid social media advertising is usually separate from management fees.
• Premium Content Creation: Professional graphics, video, or short form videos may add extra costs.
• Tool Subscriptions: Charges for analytics or scheduling software may be passed on to clients.

Conclusion

Social media outsourcing for small businesses saves time, reduces stress, and boosts efficiency. By outsourcing social media efforts like content creation, engagement, and strategy, companies let professionals handle growth when in-house management becomes overwhelming. This approach strengthens audience connection while protecting brand consistency.

The right social media outsourcing services help businesses expand their online presence and achieve strong results without hiring a full-time team.

Outsourcing social media management provides flexibility, expert support, and scalability for occasional help or full comprehensive strategy. This lets small businesses focus on business growth while specialists manage all social media operations.

Outsourcing can help your business reach wider audiences and maintain a competitive advantage.

FAQs on Social Media Outsourcing

Debbie Moran

Debbie Moran is a Digital marketing strategist with 5+ years of experience producing advertising for brands and helping leaders showcase their brand to the correct audience. She has been a part of RecurPost since 2019 and handles all the activities required to grow our brand’s online presence.