Social Media Consultants: What They Do + Tips to Find One

A social media consultant can help your business build brand awareness and reach more customers. They can cost $2,000 to $10,000 per month. Learn more about what they do and check out the top consultants to hire.

Social media consultants can be a major asset to your business. Whether you have a small team, are looking for a specialized expert, or just want a bit of help, a social media consultant can be the perfect solution.

Throughout this article, we’ll dive deeper into exactly what a social media consultant is, what they do, how to hire one — and eight top options.

What is a social media consultant?

A social media consultant is an individual or agency that offers social media marketing or consulting services for businesses. They’ll typically work with several businesses at a time, helping to improve their social media presence.

What does a social media consultant do?

There are many tasks social media consultants can do for the businesses they work with. A few examples include:

• Creating a social media marketing strategy
• Planning social media campaigns
• Training a social media team
• Managing one or more social media platforms
• Creating and publishing social media content
• Running social media ads
• Launching a new social media platform
• Conducting a social media audit
• Analyzing social media performance
• Measuring social media ROI

If any of these seem like something your business could use help with, consider hiring a social media consultant.

How much do they cost?

The costs for a social media marketing consultant depend on the services you need and whether they’re ongoing. For example, if you’re looking for fixed monthly rates for a specific set of services, expect to pay $2,000 to $10,000 per month. However, if you want to hire a freelancer on a project-by-project basis, expect to spend $50/hr. Then, for one-off projects, costs can go as high as $50,000.

Learn more about the costs of social media marketing management.

8 best social media consultants to consider

To help you find the right social media consultant to hire, we’ve compiled a list of eight amazing options. Read on to learn more about what these agencies have to offer and their top clients.

1. HawkSEM

HawkSEM is an SEM agency that offers services across a number of digital marketing platforms, from SEO and PPC to social media and content marketing. We have a team of experts well-versed in everything digital marketing to ensure nothing but success stories.

Check out our library of case studies to learn more about the results we’ve helped our clients achieve. Like helping Thriftbooks generate a 50% increase in average order value or helping Swimsuits Direct more than double their year-over-year sales revenue.

Services:

• PPC management services
• SEO
• Content marketing
• Paid social media marketing
• Conversion rate optimization
• Ecommerce marketing
• Remarketing

Notable clients:

• Verizon
• Honda
• Nike
• Merrill Lynch

2. Tinuiti

Tinuiti is a performance marketing firm that offers a number of different services for businesses. From commerce and streaming campaigns to paid social and search campaigns, Tinuiti’s goal is to help businesses of all shapes and sizes increase brand awareness, leads, and sales.

As a social media consultant, Tinuiti can help brands improve their online presence on platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and even Reddit. The team uses an omni-channel marketing approach, ensuring they create a cohesive presence across all of your platforms.

Services:

• Commerce
• Streaming campaigns
• Paid media
• Earned and owned media
• Content creation
• Analytics

Notable clients:

• Poppi
• TOMS
• Instacart
• Rack Room Shoes

3. Thrive Agency

Thrive Agency is a digital marketing agency that offers a range of marketing services for startups, small businesses, and big brands. The social media marketing consultant team can help companies increase Twitter impressions, Instagram engagement, Facebook advertising reach, and more.

Services:

• Search engine optimization (SEO)
• PPC marketing
• Link building
• Search engine marketing
• Website design
• Social media marketing
• Reputation management
• eCommerce marketing
• Amazon marketing

Notable clients:

• The Farah Law Firm
• Nationwide Construction
• Western Sport
• Longhorn Investments

4. Wpromote

Wpromote is a digital marketing agency that also offers social media consulting services — among many others. The agency has won a number of awards for their know-how and expertise, and the company has a prominent client base.

Services:

• Paid search
• Paid social
• SEO
• Content marketing
• Email marketing
• Influencer marketing
• Conversion rate optimization
• Reporting and analytics

Notable clients:

• Peacock
• Quickbooks
• Whirlpool
• Samsung

5. MuteSix

MuteSix is a real-time performance marketing agency that offers both marketing and creative services for its clients. Anything from social media marketing to content creation like graphics and copy. MuteSix is a more creative agency, helping new clients in all aspects of their online marketing and not just strategy.

Services:

• Search engine marketing
• Social media marketing
• Video marketing
• SMS marketing
• Content creation
• Graphic design
• Copywriting

Notable clients:

• Disney
• GNC
• Fender
• Magic Spoon

6. ROI Revolution

ROI Revolution is a digital marketing agency with a heavy focus on, as I’m sure you could guess, ROI (or return on investment). The agency has over 20 years of experience helping its target audience grow their businesses and online presences.

This social media consultant puts a heavy emphasis on full-funnel social media advertising across a number of platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Clients can also get help with full-service Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest management — not just ads.

Services:

• Conversion rate optimization
• Paid search
• Search engine optimization (SEO)
• Social media advertising
• Retail media services

Notable clients:

• Lenovo
• Puma
• Batteries & Bulbs
• Berkley

7. Silverback Strategies

Silverback Strategies is a digital performance marketing agency that helps business owners create effective online presences across a number of digital channels. Their social media offerings range from paid advertising to tracking metrics and reporting, ensuring their clients get the full scope of their performance.

Services:

• Paid search
• Paid social
• SEO
• Content marketing
• Conversion rate optimization
• Analytics & reporting

Notable clients:

• LexisNexis
• Strayer University
• Mattress Warehouse
• Blackboard

8. WebFX

WebFX is a digital marketing agency focusing on driving revenue through its tactics and strategies. This social media consultancy offers a wide range of services all across the board, from content and social media marketing to user experience and interactivity.

Services:

• SEO
• Lead generation
• Digital marketing
• Page speed optimization
• PPC management
• Social media advertising
• Ecommerce marketing
• Digital intelligence & social listening
• Conversion rate optimization
• User experience testing
• Email marketing
• Website design
• Graphic design
• Social media management
• Video marketing

Notable clients:

• Wrangler
• Jiffy Lube
• Subway
• Verizon

What to look for in a social media consultant

Considering hiring a social media consultant for your business’s needs? There are many reasons to consider looking for external help. But let’s talk about what a successful social media consultant should bring to the table — and how to find the right one for your business.

Before we get any further, though, let’s hear from Gauri Manglik, CEO and Co-Founder at Instrumentl. Manglik says, “When I’m evaluating the effectiveness of a social media consultant for my business, I look for three things.”

Those three things are:

• Experience: If a consultant has been in the industry for more than five years and has worked on projects with companies similar to yours, that’s a good sign.
• Results: Has the consultant done what they said they’d do? Did their work achieve the goals you discussed at the beginning of your partnership? If not, why not?
• Communication skills: Does the consultant understand how to communicate effectively with your company? Are they able to translate your business goals into digital terms?

Now let’s dig a little deeper.

Take a look at the consultant’s portfolio

When you first find a potential consultant to work with, look at their portfolio and past projects.

Isaac Bullen, Director of Marketing at 3WH, explains, “Examine the candidates’ portfolios or follow accounts where you know the consultant is working. Take some time to observe the social communication of those accounts to determine whether it aligns with your preferences, interests, or liking.”

Then, after identifying what appeals to you, invite the candidate for further conversation and assess whether your thoughts and your product align with the consultant’s ideas.

More than that, make sure the consultant has proven results with past clients — especially past clients in your industry. Which brings us to our next point.

Make sure the consultant knows your industry

Sometimes someone can be a social media expert but not be the right consultant for you because they’re not as familiar with your industry. Working with a contractor who’s well-versed in your industry — and has a track record of success — can be a great indicator of how they’ll do for your business.

For example, ecommerce companies need a specialist that’s well-versed in the ecommerce industry. Diana Zheng, Head of Marketing at Canadian ecommerce giant Stallion Express explains how expertise in their industry was key when hiring for a social media consultant job.

Zheng says, “One of the most important things we needed to look for is an in-depth knowledge of eCommerce, a proven track record of results, and the ability to adjust strategies to changing market dynamics. Transparency and open communication were key to our working together.”

To measure success, Zheng’s team tracked engagement rates, follower growth, and, most importantly, the consultant’s effect on their funnel. The consultant’s efforts exceeded their marketing objectives and resulted in a significant ROI.

“One of their best examples was overcoming a seasonal marketing obstacle,” Zheng continues.
The consultant devised a targeted social media campaign to get around the obstacle. Not only did this demonstrate their strategic thinking, but it also showed how adaptable and agile they are in today’s digital world.”

Stallion Express likely wouldn’t have gotten the same results if they hadn’t hired someone so experienced in their industry.

Find an expert in a specific channel

Instead of an all-around social media consultant, you might be looking to hire a strategist that focuses on a single social network that you really want to ramp up. This is exactly what Natalia Dávila Merlo, Content Marketing Manager at Ling Ltd., explains her team did.

Merlo says, “Each social media channel has its own unique requirements, and therefore you really need a dedicated person to be responsible for each channel. We were trying to have a single social media manager manage four different channels simultaneously. And it wasn’t working. None of our channels were growing.”

So they analyzed which channel had the most engagement and would most likely generate a return on investment. The answer was YouTube.

As a result of this analysis, Merlo’s team brought in a YouTube specialist. This consultant helped to grow a dozen other channels to success, including her own channel related to language and travel.

“With our YouTube channel, hiring a social media consultant has seen the channel views increase by 668%,” continues Merlo. “This is because we now have a content strategy and someone who knows the ins and outs of YouTube SEO.”

Hire a consultant with more than just social media skills

Finally, look for a consultant that has more than just an understanding of social media strategy, algorithms, and implementation. Having additional skills means they can bring even more to the table for your business.

Mark Voronov, Co-Founder & CEO at SocialPlug, shared that hiring a social media consultant was a pivotal decision for his company. In Voronov’s words, “The key factors in evaluating the effectiveness of a social media consultant included their understanding of our brand ethos, innovative content strategies, and data-driven approach to audience targeting.”

The consultant’s ability to do more than just social media marketing solidified their place as an essential contractor for the company.

Voronov continues, “One specific example where our social media consultant played a crucial role was in overcoming the challenge of reaching a new demographic segment. They conducted thorough market research and implemented a targeted campaign that resonated with the new audience, resulting in a 30% increase in our engagement rates within that group.”

The experience taught Voronov’s team that a skilled social media consultant does more than just manage social media accounts. They bring a fresh perspective, innovative strategies, and a deep understanding of analytics, which are essential in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Signs it’s time to hire a social media consultant

Think it’s time to bring a social media consultant on board? There are several signs it could be time.

John Pennypacker, VP of Sales & Marketing at Deep Cognition, says “If you’re trying to grow your online following or increase engagement on your social channels but struggle, it may be time to bring in a professional.”

Kate Ross, Hair and Beauty Specialist at Irresistible Me, agrees, saying, “We decided to hire a professional when we noticed that our online growth wasn’t improving, even though we were trying our best.”

And the decision panned out beautifully. Ross continues, “Our consultant revamped our social media strategy with fresh content ideas, better engagement tactics, and a more targeted approach to our audience. The results were clear: increased follower engagement, more website traffic, and higher conversion rates.”

Here are a few more signs it’s time to hire a social media consultant.

• You’re not getting the results you want with your existing in-house staff.
• You need a wider skill set than you currently have on your team.
• Your existing team has enough on their plate and you want to test out new platforms.
• You’re launching a new product, service, or campaign and you want to improve your chances of success.
• You want additional help with creating and posting content.
• The pricing of bringing in external help makes more sense than hiring a full-time employee.
• You aren’t being consistent enough in your social media posting schedule.
• You want access to the social media consultant’s arsenal of tools.
• Your team doesn’t have the time to keep up with new trends.

The takeaway

A proper social media strategy along with execution is key. Finding the right consultant for your business who understands your target audience, the competitive landscape and how to position your business as an industry thought leader, is crucial to be successful.

If that sounds like what you’re looking for, HawkSEM is at your service. Learn more about how our team of experts can improve your online presence through paid social media ads and other key strategies. Get in touch with an expert today.