At some point, most small business owners reach the same conclusion: social media matters, we are not keeping on top of it, and something needs to change. The next thought is usually to hire someone. A dedicated person, fully focused on the job, who can take it all off your hands.
It sounds logical. In practice, for the vast majority of small businesses, it is one of the most expensive solutions to a problem that does not require it.
What a social media manager actually costs
According to current salary data, a junior social media executive in the UK earns between £22,000 and £26,000 per year. A more experienced hire with a solid track record will cost you £28,000 to £35,000. Then add employer National Insurance, pension contributions, annual leave, sick pay, equipment, and the time and cost of recruiting in the first place.
By the time you have factored everything in, a full-time social media hire costs a small business somewhere in the region of £30,000 to £45,000 per year. For a business turning over £200,000 or £300,000, that is a significant proportion of your revenue dedicated to one person doing one job.
And what do you actually need?
Here is the honest question worth asking: does your small business need someone working on social media full time?
For most small businesses, the answer is no. What you need is a consistent presence, good-looking content, posts going out regularly on the right platforms, and someone keeping an eye on comments and messages. That does not require 37.5 hours a week. It requires a well-run process and a team who know what they are doing.
The agency alternative: better, but still pricey
Traditional marketing agencies offer social media management as part of their services, and the quality is often good. But the pricing reflects their overheads. Entry-level social media packages from established agencies typically start at £500 per month, with many charging £800 to £1,500 for anything beyond a basic service.
That is a sensible option for larger businesses with bigger marketing budgets. For a small business watching every pound, it is still a significant outlay for something that should not have to cost that much.
A better fit for small businesses
The good news is that the market has caught up with what small businesses actually need. Specialist, affordable social media providers offer fully managed services at a fraction of the cost of an in-house hire or a traditional agency, without cutting corners on quality.
At 99social, plans start from £99 plus VAT per month. You get custom content, professional graphic design, regular posting, and a dedicated account manager. No recruitment headaches, no salary overheads, no long-term contracts. Just consistent, professional social media at a price that makes sense for a small business.
The takeaway
A full-time social media manager is a great investment when the time is right. For most small businesses, that time is not now. The smarter move is to get the results you need at a cost that works for the stage your business is actually at.
Ready to hand it over? Find out more about our affordable social media management and get started today.
Before making any decision, it’s worth understanding the real cost of managing your own social media to compare all your options properly.
Back to BlogReady to grow your social presence?
We handle your social media so you don't have to. From just £99 per month, we create content, schedule posts, and grow your audience, letting you focus on running your business.
