Done-for-you social media management typically costs $300-3,000 per month when you hire a freelancer or agency. AI-powered software like Glow Social (see our affordable social media management service and complete done-for-you guide) now offers automated content creation and posting for $99/month—bringing done-for-you pricing down to what DIY tools used to cost.
This guide breaks down what you get at each price point so you can budget appropriately.
Done-For-You Social Media Pricing Overview
| Option | Monthly Cost | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| AI Software (Glow Social) | $99 | 20 posts/month, auto-published to 4 platforms |
| Freelancer (Basic) | $300-500 | 8-12 posts/month, 2-3 platforms, basic graphics |
| Freelancer (Comprehensive) | $500-1,000 | 15-20 posts/month, engagement, analytics |
| Agency (Small Business) | $1,000-2,000 | 20+ posts/month, strategy, reporting |
| Agency (Full Service) | $2,500-5,000+ | Content, ads, community management, dedicated team |
What $99/Month Gets You (AI Software)
Glow Social represents the new category of AI-powered done-for-you software:
- 20 custom posts per month created automatically
- Publishing to Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok
- 5-minute setup (answer questions about your business)
- No content calendar to manage
- No graphics to create
- No scheduling decisions
What you don't get: Human judgment, real-time engagement, trending topic coverage, custom strategy calls.
Best for: Small businesses who want consistent posting without the cost of hiring.
What $300-500/Month Gets You (Freelancer)
A basic freelance social media manager package typically includes:
- 8-12 posts per month
- Coverage of 2-3 platforms
- Basic graphics (usually Canva-created)
- Content calendar planning
- Monthly check-in call
What you don't get: Engagement/community management, paid advertising, comprehensive strategy.
Best for: Businesses wanting human creativity at a reasonable price point.
What $500-1,000/Month Gets You (Comprehensive Freelancer)
Higher-end freelancers add:
- 15-20 posts per month
- Story creation and management
- Basic comment monitoring and engagement
- Monthly analytics reporting
- More polished graphics and occasional video content
Best for: Businesses that need some engagement management and more content volume.
What $1,000-3,000/Month Gets You (Agency)
Social media agencies provide team-based service:
- 20-30+ posts per month
- Full strategy development
- Professional graphics and video content
- Community management
- Comprehensive analytics and reporting
- Dedicated account manager
What you might also get: Paid advertising management, influencer coordination, crisis management.
Best for: Larger businesses with marketing budget and need for comprehensive support.
Hidden Costs to Consider
Beyond the sticker price, factor in:
Your time:
- DIY tools: 5-10 hours/month
- AI software (Glow Social): 5 minutes setup, minimal ongoing
- Freelancer: 1-2 hours/month for calls and approvals
- Agency: 1-2 hours/month for meetings and reviews
Hiring costs:
- Finding a good freelancer: 5-10 hours of interviews and trials
- Onboarding: 3-5 hours explaining your business
- If they leave: Repeat the process
DIY tool stack:
- Scheduling tool: $15-50/month
- Design tool: $13/month
- AI writing tool: $99/month
- Total for DIY: $77-112/month + your time
Choosing Based on Your Budget
Under $100/month: Glow Social ($99) or DIY with free tools and significant time investment
$100-300/month: Limited options—DIY tools or very basic freelance packages
$300-500/month: Entry-level freelancer or Glow Social + premium DIY tools for extra content
$500-1,000/month: Comprehensive freelancer support
$1,000+/month: Agency-level service
Where Glow Social Fits
Glow Social fills a gap that didn't exist until recently: done-for-you output at software prices.
Previously, your options were:
- Free/cheap: Do it yourself
- $300+/month: Hire someone
Now there's a middle option: $99/month for 12 posts automatically created and published, with 5 minutes of setup.
It won't replace a full agency or a dedicated social media manager. But for small businesses who just need consistent posting without the time or budget for hiring, it's a legitimate option.
Get started at glowsocial.com.
About Glow Social: Done-for-you software that automatically creates and publishes 20 custom posts per month to Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok. $99/month, 5-minute setup. glowsocial.com
