What to Look for in a Social Media Management Package for Your Business
If you’re shopping for a social media management package, you’re probably not looking for “more posts.” You’re looking for consistency, clarity, and results that make sense for your business. You want someone to run the system, not just fill the feed.
Most packages look similar on the surface. The difference is whether the work is built around decision-making (what your audience needs, what you want them to do, and how social supports that) or built around output (how many posts you get).
Here’s what to look for so you don’t end up paying for a monthly content treadmill that doesn’t move anything forward.
Start with the basics: strategy before volume
A solid social media management service should be able to answer three questions without hand-waving:
Who are we speaking to? (audience segments, not “everyone”)
What do they need to believe to take the next step? (messaging)
What action are we driving? (calls-to-action that match your business model)
If a package skips audience definition and messaging, you’ll get content that’s “fine” and performance that’s vague.
Look for language like:
audience segments and priorities
content themes tied to customer questions
channel roles (what Instagram is for vs Facebook vs LinkedIn)
a cadence you can sustain
The package should include a real content plan (not just “we post 3x/week”)
Posting frequency is not a strategy. A good package includes a content calendar that shows what’s going out, why it matters, and what it’s trying to achieve.
At minimum, you want:
monthly content plan (themes + post types)
draft captions and creative concepts
clear CTAs (book, call, visit, download, inquire)
a simple approval workflow
If you can’t see the plan before it’s posted, you’re not getting management. You’re getting outsourcing.
Content creation: define what “content” actually means
This is where packages get slippery.
A social media marketing package may say “content creation” but mean any of the following:
writing captions only (no design)
templated graphics only (no original photography/video)
posting only (no strategy, no copywriting)
A strong package spells this out in plain terms:
Copywriting: captions, hooks, CTA language, hashtags if relevant
Design: templates vs custom graphics, Canva files included or not
Video: who films, who edits, what formats, how many rounds
Photography: included, optional, or “use what you have”
If it’s unclear, ask: “What exactly will I receive each month?” If they can’t answer cleanly, that’s a sign.
Voice and messaging: you should not sound like a different company
The best social media managers don’t just post. They protect your tone.
Look for:
a voice guide (or at least voice notes and examples)
messaging pillars (what you say on repeat)
proof points (why you’re credible)
a CTA bank (how you ask people to act)
If the package doesn’t include any messaging alignment, expect captions that feel generic even if they’re technically “well-written.”
Community management: decide if you need it, then define it
Community management can be valuable, but it needs clear boundaries.
If included, it should specify:
response time expectations (same day, 24–48 hours, weekdays only)
what they handle vs what gets escalated to you
review monitoring (Google, Yelp, etc.) if relevant
comment moderation guidelines
If it’s not included, that’s fine. You just want it stated clearly so you’re not assuming someone’s “watching the inbox” when no one is.
Publishing and access: you should own your accounts and your assets
This is non-negotiable.
A professional social media management service should:
use your Business Manager / Meta Business Suite access correctly
schedule through approved tools (or platform native tools)
ensure you retain admin access
clarify ownership of creative files (Canva, source files, video edits)
Ask directly:
“Do I own the templates and creative files you make?”
“If we stop working together, do I keep everything?”
Good partners don’t hold your marketing hostage.
Reporting: avoid vanity metrics, demand decision metrics
A monthly report should not be a screenshot collage of likes.
Look for reporting that answers:
What performed and why
What didn’t and why
What we’re changing next month
What results matter for your business (leads, calls, bookings, store visits, email signups)
The goal is learning and iteration, not applause.
Workflow: you’re buying reliability
A good package includes a simple, consistent operating rhythm:
one planning touchpoint per month
one review/approval window
a predictable posting schedule
a clear feedback loop
If the process is chaotic, you’ll feel it immediately. And you’ll end up doing more work, not less.
Pricing: what you’re really paying for
Pricing varies by market and scope, but the biggest driver is what’s included beyond posting.
In general:
Lower-cost packages often cover scheduling + light captions + templates
Mid-range packages include planning, copywriting, design, and reporting
Higher-cost packages include original video, community management, paid support, and deeper strategy
The right question isn’t “What’s the cheapest package?” It’s: “What do we actually need to be consistent and effective?”
Red flags to watch for
If you see these, pause:
“We guarantee X followers” (growth isn’t controllable like that)
no mention of audience or messaging
unclear deliverables (“content” with no definition)
no access/ownership clarity
reporting that focuses only on likes and reach
a process that requires constant chasing, reminders, or emergency edits
A quick checklist to compare social media management packages
Use this to evaluate proposals side-by-side:
Strategy
Audience defined (segments, not generalities)
Messaging pillars and CTAs established
Channel roles and cadence recommended
Production
Monthly content plan/calendar provided
Copywriting included (captions + hooks + CTAs)
Design included (templates vs custom defined)
Video responsibilities defined
Publishing + Ownership
You retain admin access
Scheduling method specified
You own the assets (templates/files) or terms are clear
Management
Community management defined (or explicitly excluded)
Clear approval process
Clear revision limits
Reporting
Monthly insights + next steps
Metrics tied to business outcomes
FAQ
What’s included in a typical social media management package?
Most packages include content planning, caption writing, design (either templates or custom graphics), scheduling/publishing, and basic reporting. Community management and video production are often add-ons.
How many posts per week should a small business publish?
Enough to be consistent without burning out. For many small businesses, 2–3 posts per week with a clear theme and strong CTAs beats daily posting with no plan. The right cadence depends on your audience, sales cycle, and capacity.
Do I need a social media manager or a strategist?
If you already know what to say and just need execution, management is fine. If your messaging is unclear, your offers are messy, or you don’t know who you’re speaking to, start with strategy (or a package that includes real messaging work).
Should social media include paid ads?
Not always. Organic consistency comes first. Paid can amplify what’s already working, but it’s not a substitute for weak messaging, unclear offers, or inconsistent posting.
The bottom line
A strong social media management package delivers more than content. It gives you a system: defined audiences and messaging, a sustainable cadence, consistent execution, and reporting that supports better decisions month over month.
If you’re comparing options and want a second set of eyes, send the scope. We’ll tell you what’s solid, what’s missing, and what will quietly cost you time once production starts.
If you’d rather start from a clean foundation, Istari’s Marketing Foundations package establishes the strategy, messaging, and templates. From there, our monthly retainer keeps the system running with planned content, production, scheduling, and check-ins. Reach out and we’ll recommend the right starting point based on your goals and capacity.