What’s a Reasonable Budget for Social Media Marketing in 2025? (Hint: It’s NOT $3,000/Month)

Let’s talk money—specifically how much you should be spending on social media marketing as a small business.

You’ve probably asked yourself (or typed into Google at 2 a.m.): How much should I budget for social media help? Is $1,000/month normal for basic services? Am I getting ripped off or just behind?

Well, friend... grab your coffee and your calculator—because we’re about to break it down without the agency fluff.

First, Let’s Talk “Typical” Agency Budgets

Most traditional marketing agencies will pitch you a “starter” package in the $1,000–$3,000/month range.Here’s what that usually includes:

• A content calendar

• 4–8 social posts per month

• Stock images + templated graphics

• Some light community management

• A PDF report you’ll probably never read

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And the worst part? Many of them lock you into long-term contracts, so even if it’s not working... you’re stuck.

So What’s Actually Reasonable for Small Businesses?

If you’re a small business, solopreneur, non-profit, or just getting started—dropping $3,000/month is not reasonable.Not unless they’re delivering serious results: growth, engagement, leads, and conversions.

A realistic budget for professional, consistent social media management should be in the $370–$700/month range depending on your needs.

At this price point, you can expect:

✅ Strategic content tailored to your business

✅ Consistent posting (weekly or bi-weekly)

✅ Real audience engagement

✅ Support from someone who understands your market

✅ Transparency—no “mystery metrics” or buzzword bingo

Why We Built Social Media Solutions for Small Business, BC

Because let’s be honest: agencies price out the people who need marketing the most.

At Social Media Solutions, we’ve flipped the script:

🚫 No retainers

🚫 No gatekeeping strategy

🚫 No overpriced PDFs pretending to be results

Instead, we offer:

✔️ Plans starting at just $370 CAD/month

✔️ Real content strategy, custom visuals, and bilingual support

✔️ Monthly reports that make sense

✔️ A team that gets small biz energy (because we’re one too)

And the cherry on top? No contracts. Stay because it works—not because you’re trapped.

🚨 The Hidden Costs of Overpaying for Social Media

If you’re paying over $1,000/month and still doing half the work yourself, it’s time to rethink.

You're not just wasting money. You're wasting:

🕒 Time (you could spend running your biz)

📉 Growth (your brand deserves to show up strong)

💸 Energy (hello, burnout)

You deserve better.You deserve support that scales with your business—not ahead of it.

✅ What Should You Budget?

Here’s a helpful breakdown to keep in your back pocket:

Monthly Budget	What You Can Expect
$0–$200	DIY tools (like Canva + schedulers), minimal support
$300–$700	Boutique agencies (like us!) offering custom, quality work
$1,000+	Mid-sized agencies, typically templated content
$3,000+	Corporate-level retainers, often overkill for small biz

✨ Final Thoughts: Invest Smart, Not Hard

Social media marketing isn’t a luxury anymore—it’s how customers find you, trust you, and choose you.

But it shouldn’t cost the same as a mortgage.

So what’s a reasonable budget? One that gives you clarity, creativity, and consistency—without crushing your cash flow.

📣 Want to see how far $370/month can take you?

👉 DM us for a FREE feed audit or📩 Visit socialcommunicationssolutions.com

Let’s ditch the overpriced nonsense and build something that actually works—for you.