Social media managers send quotes when a prospect asks for pricing after a discovery call, before a retainer begins, or when a client wants a one-time project like an audit or campaign. Clients typically compare your quote against other freelancers and agencies, so it should show exactly which platforms, how many posts, and what reporting is included.
When to use estimates: Use estimates to provide project quotes and get client approval before starting work. Once approved, convert your estimate to an invoice with one click to collect payment.
Create an invoice for payment collection
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Invoice_1001_Client_2026-10-14.pdf
Name each platform included and confirm the client owns the accounts and gives you admin access, not a shared password.
State posts per week, stories, Reels or short videos, and carousels. This is the main source of scope creep if left vague.
Clarify whether you shoot or design content, edit client footage, or work only with assets the client supplies, and how late asset delivery is handled.
Say whether you reply to comments and DMs, how often, and during what hours, so the client does not expect round-the-clock monitoring.
Define how many revision rounds are included and how long the client has to approve content before it is posted or rescheduled.
List the report frequency, metrics covered, and any monthly calls so clients know what accountability to expect.
Separate your management fee from ad spend, stock licenses, and software that the client pays for or reimburses.
| Service | Priced | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly social media management or consulting | per hour | $35-100 |
| Monthly retainer, one platform, 3 posts per week with light engagement | per month | $500-1,200 |
| Monthly retainer, 2-3 platforms, 4-5 posts per week plus community management and reporting | per month | $1,000-3,000 |
| Social media audit and strategy document | flat fee | $400-2,000 |
| Short-form video editing (Reels, TikTok, Shorts) | per video | $50-250 |
| Paid social ad management (Meta, TikTok, LinkedIn) | per month or % of ad spend | $400-1,500 or 10-20% |
| Content calendar and caption batch | per month of content | $250-800 |
| Account setup and profile optimization | flat fee per platform | $150-500 |
Typical US ranges. Rates vary by region, experience, and job size.
Presenting a basic, standard, and expanded package lets clients choose a scope instead of negotiating your rate. Keep the middle tier as the one you actually want to sell.
Add up strategy, content creation, scheduling, engagement, reporting, and client communication for a typical month. A retainer that looks fine per post may be too low once all the unseen work is counted.
Onboarding includes brand research, account audits, competitor review, and a first content calendar. A one-time setup fee covers this upfront work and filters out clients who are not committed.
Quote validity of 14 to 30 days is typical, and a three-month minimum is common for retainers because social media results take time to build.
A short review of the client's current accounts is a reasonable way to win work, but a full audit with recommendations is a paid deliverable. Keep free reviews brief and offer the detailed audit as a separate priced service that can be credited toward a retainer.
Not by itself in most cases. A quote states your proposed price and scope, but you should pair it with a signed agreement covering term, payment, ownership of content, and cancellation. Many managers combine the quote and agreement into one document the client signs.
Reduce scope instead of the rate. Cut a platform, lower the number of posts, or remove video and reporting. Discounting the same work trains clients to expect more for less and makes it harder to raise prices later.
Issue a revised quote for the new scope before starting any extra work. Adding a platform, increasing post frequency, or launching a paid campaign should each update the monthly fee, with the change confirmed in writing.
Use the Social Media Manager invoice template to bill the client, or convert this estimate once it's approved.
Social Media Manager invoice template