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 now offers automated content creation and posting for $49/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. For more insights, explore our guide on affordable social media management.
Done-For-You Social Media Pricing Overview
| Option | Monthly Cost | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| AI Software (Glow Social) | $49 | 12 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 $49/Month Gets You (AI Software)
Glow Social represents the new category of AI-powered done-for-you software: You can also view our pricing plans to see what works for you.
- 12 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: $49/month
- Total for DIY: $77-112/month + your time
Choosing Based on Your Budget
Under $100/month: Glow Social ($49) 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: $49/month for 12 posts automatically created and published, with 5 minutes of setup. For more on how this automated process works, see our guide on how AI social media posting works.
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. This is especially true when you consider the cost comparison between AI tools and agencies.
Get started at glowsocial.com.
About Glow Social: AI-powered software that automatically creates and publishes 12 custom posts per month to Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok. $49/month, 5-minute setup. glowsocial.com According to HubSpot, social media is a key driver for small business growth.
For a side-by-side comparison, see our ranking of the best affordable done-for-you social media services and learn what freelance managers charge for similar work.