Social media management packages: 3 tiers that sell
How to package your services so small business owners can say yes fast. Example Starter, Growth and Premium tiers with 2026 price ranges, add-ons and rules.
Most freelancers do best with 3 packages: Starter (1–2 platforms, about 12 posts, ~$500–$900/mo), Growth (2 platforms, more video, ~$1,000–$1,800/mo) and Premium (content shoot, ads management, ~$2,000+/mo plus ad spend). Price each from the hours it takes, sell monthly with a 3-month minimum, and keep extras as add-ons.
Why packages beat custom quotes
Most pages ranking for this are agencies selling their own packages, which are useful to see but not written for you. If you’re a freelancer, packages do 3 things for you:
- Faster yes: owners compare 3 clear options instead of waiting for a custom quote.
- No scope creep: every package says exactly what’s in and out.
- Easy upgrades: Starter clients move to Growth when results show.
The 3-tier package example
| Starter | Growth | Premium | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Small local businesses getting consistent | Businesses ready to grow | Busy, higher-value businesses |
| Platforms | 1–2 | 2 | 2–3 |
| Posts / month | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| Short videos / month | 4 | 8 | 12 |
| Engagement | Replies Mon–Fri | Replies Mon–Fri + proactive engagement | Daily replies + community building |
| Content shoot | — | Every other month | Monthly on-site shoot |
| Ads management | — | — | Included (client pays ad spend) |
| Reporting | 1-page monthly report | Report + 15-min call | Report + monthly strategy call |
| Price range | $500–$900/mo | $1,000–$1,800/mo | $2,000+/mo |
Ranges are starting points based on published 2025–2026 freelancer rates. Set your own from your hours using the calculator in how much to charge for social media management.
Add-ons (charged on top)
| Add-on | Typical way to charge |
|---|---|
| Extra platform | Flat monthly fee per platform |
| Paid ads management | Flat fee or 10–20% of ad spend |
| Extra content shoot | Per shoot |
| Profile setup or rebrand | One-time fee |
| Rush requests (under 48 hours) | Surcharge, often 25–50% |
Get the packages already priced
The Client Getting System includes the pricing workbook with all 3 packages and add-ons pre-built, the clients-needed math, plus the proposal and contract to sell them.
- 40 copy-and-paste scripts (DM, email, walk-in, follow-ups, replies)
- Lead tracker that scores every business for you
- Free audit + proposal templates, call script
- Contract, onboarding form and pricing workbook
- Run It With Claude guide (Claude finds the leads)
One payment · Instant download · Works with free Claude
How to build your own packages
- Start with Starter. Count the hours for one client (planning, posts, video, replies, report, calls). About 20–25 hours is typical.
- Price it: hours × your hourly rate + tools.
- Build Growth by adding the thing clients ask for most (usually more video), not just more posts.
- Build Premium around a bigger outcome: shoots, ads, strategy calls.
- Write what’s NOT included in each one. That line saves you more than any price increase.
How to present them
- Show packages after a discovery call, inside your proposal, not on a cold message.
- Recommend one tier: “Based on what you told me, Growth fits.” Owners like a recommendation.
- Put the scope and price in the contract word for word.
- Starting out with no clients? Offer just Starter at first. See how to get your first client.
Packaging mistakes
- “Unlimited” anything. Unlimited revisions or posts means unlimited hours.
- Per-post pricing as packages. It turns you into a content vending machine.
- Too many tiers. 3 is plenty. 5 makes people delay.
- Ad spend inside your fee. The client pays the platform directly.
- No minimum term. Results take time. Use 3 months.
FAQ
What is a social media management package?
A fixed monthly bundle of services, such as platforms, posts, videos, engagement and reporting, sold at a set price so clients know exactly what they get.
How much should social media packages cost?
For freelancers, published 2025–2026 ranges run roughly $500 to $2,500 a month. A common setup is Starter around $500–$900, Growth $1,000–$1,800 and Premium $2,000 or more.
How many packages should I offer?
Three. It’s enough choice without confusing small business owners, and it gives clients room to upgrade.
What should be included in a basic social media package?
1–2 platforms, about 12 posts and 4 short videos a month, replies on weekdays, and a 1-page monthly report.
Should ads be part of a social media package?
Ads management can be in a top tier or an add-on, but the ad budget itself should always be paid by the client directly to the platform.
Keep reading
Sources
- HeyOrca, Social media pricing report (survey of 100+ agency and freelance social media managers, 2024)
- Cloud Campaign, Social media management pricing guide (July 2025)
General information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Results depend on your effort and market. See our earnings disclaimer.