A social media consultant helps businesses develop, execute, and optimize social media strategies. Costs typically range from $2,000-$10,000 per month — find out if you should hire one in this guide.

For many brands, social media channels are the best way to connect with their audience.

But even the most robust in-house teams can struggle to build a strategy that clicks.

This is where a social media consultant can help.

These digital marketing experts partner with businesses to build a unique strategy their team can use to guide their efforts more effectively.

Learn more about what social media consultants do, pricing, and when to hire one in this complete guide.

What is a social media consultant?

A social media consultant is an individual or agency that specializes in building custom strategies for brands across social media platforms.

They help businesses improve brand awareness, engagement, lead generation, and sales through strategic planning, content recommendations, auditing existing social media accounts, and performance analysis.

What does a social media consultant do?

A social media consultant helps businesses develop, execute, and optimize social media strategies to reach their target audience, strengthen their social media presence, and achieve measurable marketing goals.

Key responsibilities include:

Unlike social media managers — whose responsibilities involve the day-to-day management of posting content and ongoing project management for social media campaigns — consultants focus on high-level strategy to help businesses get on the right track.

How much do social media consultants cost?

The costs for a social media marketing consultant depend on factors like the experience of the individual or agency, the competitiveness of your industry, and the scope of work.

For example, if you’re looking to have a consultant on retainer, you could expect to pay a fixed monthly rate of between $2,000 and $10,000 per month.

However, if you want to hire a freelancer on a project-by-project basis, expect to spend $50/hr. For larger one-off projects, costs can reach $50,000 or more.

8 social media consultant partners to consider

To help you find the right social media consultant to hire, we’ve compiled a list of eight top-tier options.

1. Tinuiti

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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 omnichannel 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

2. Thrive Agency

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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 X 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

3. HawkSEM

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HawkSEM (hey, that’s us!) is a team of digital marketing experts who offer a full suite of marketing services — from SEO and PPC to content marketing and social media consulting.

Check out our library of case studies to learn more about the results we’ve helped our clients achieve.

Services:

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

Notable clients:

  • Verizon
  • Honda
  • Nike
  • Merrill Lynch

4. Wpromote

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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

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MuteSix is a real-time performance marketing agency that offers both marketing and creative services for its clients.

They partner on projects ranging 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

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ROI Revolution is a digital marketing agency with over 20 years of experience helping its target audience grow their business and online presence.

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

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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 and reporting

Notable clients:

  • LexisNexis
  • Strayer University
  • Mattress Warehouse
  • Blackboard

8. WebFX

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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 and 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 external help.

Here’s what a successful social media consultant should bring to the table:

1. Proven results

When you first find a potential consultant to work with, look at their portfolio and past projects to show that their strategies are effective.

Isaac Bullen, Director of Marketing at 3WH, also recommends reviewing the candidates’ portfolios or following 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,” says Bullen.

2. Industry experience

A contractor with experience in your industry will better understand the nuances, market trends, and roadblocks specific to your business.

“One of the most important things we 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,” says Diana Zheng, Head of Marketing at Canadian ecommerce giant Stallion Express.

3. Platform expertise

Instead of an all-around social media consultant, you might look for a strategist who focuses on a single social network that you want to ramp up.

This is exactly what Natalia Dávila Merlo, content marketing manager at Ling Ltd., says her team did.

“We were trying to have a single social media manager manage four different channels simultaneously, and it wasn’t working,” says Merlo. “None of our channels were growing.”

They analyzed engagement across platforms and determined YouTube had the highest likelihood of generating a return on investment.

After hiring a YouTube specialist, their YouTube channel views increased by 668%.  “This is because we now have a content strategy and someone who knows the ins and outs of YouTube SEO,” says Merlo.

4. Strategic thinking

A skilled social media consultant brings a fresh perspective, innovative strategies, and a deep understanding of analytics — which are essential in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Mark Voronov, co-founder and CEO at SocialPlug, explains how hiring the right social media expert played a crucial role 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,” Voronov says.

When 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.

“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,” says John Pennypacker, VP of Sales & Marketing at Deep Cognition.

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
  • You want to test new platforms
  • You’re launching a new product, service, or campaign
  • You want access to more tools

The takeaway

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 being 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.

This article has been updated and was originally published in July 2024.

Chloe West

Chloe West

Chloe West is a digital marketer and freelance writer focusing on topics surrounding social media, content, and digital marketing. She's based in Charleston, SC. When she's not working, you'll find her reading a book or watering her plants.