How to Choose the Right Social Media Agency, Plan 30 Days of Posts, and Run Ads on a Budget (2025 Guide)
- Elana Rheinhart
- Oct 15
- 3 min read
Introduction: Why Social Media Strategy Matters More Than Ever
Choosing the right social media agency can make or break your online growth. But it’s not just about outsourcing your posts—it’s about developing a strategy that converts followers into loyal customers. In this guide, we’ll walk through how to select the best agency, build a 30-day content calendar for any industry, and run ads that generate real returns, even on a small budget.
Whether you're a startup, local business, or growing brand, this all-in-one guide from Sol Social Media will help you feel confident about your next move.
1. How to Choose the Right Social Media Agency
1.1 Define Your Goals Before Hiring
Are you looking for:
Brand awareness?
Engagement and community growth?
Lead generation or sales?
A quality agency will ask about your business goals—not just your posting schedule.
1.2 Look for Strategy, Not Just Posting
A true agency partner brings strategy. They’ll provide:
Content planning
Platform insights
Analytics & reporting
Creative direction
🚫 Red flag: Agencies that only “post content” without data or strategy.
1.3 Review Portfolio & Results
Visit a portfolio to see real work and outcomes.Internal Link: Visit the Sol Social Media portfolio to browse past client results
Look for:
✅ Industry variety
✅ Real client growth metrics
✅ Creative style that aligns with your brand voice
1.4 Ask About Reporting and Analytics
A great agency won’t hide data. Ask:
How do you measure success?
Do you offer monthly reports?
What KPIs do you track (engagement, reach, conversions)?
1.5 Communication & Collaboration Style
Your agency should feel like an extension of your team. Ask:
What’s your average response time?
Will I have a dedicated account manager?
What’s your process for approvals?
2. 30-Day Social Media Content Calendar (Works for Any Industry)
Consistency thrives on planning. Here’s a universally adaptable 30-day calendar structure you can implement or request from your agency.
2.1 Weekly Content Themes
2.2 Post Ideas You Can Repeat Monthly
Educational: “3 Mistakes to Avoid When…”
Behind-the-Scenes: Office day, packaging, creative process
Testimonial: Quote graphic or video from a client
Engagement: Polls, “This or That,” Q&A
Promotion: Limited offer, service highlight, booking CTA
Inspirational: Quotes, wins, team highlights
2.3 Pro Tip: Batch & Schedule
Use scheduling tools like Meta Business Suite or Buffer to pre-plan content. Consistency drives brand trust—manual posting is optional with automation.
3. How to Run Social Media Ads on a Budget (With Real ROI)
Social media ads don’t require big budgets. They require strategy.
3.1 Start Small: Test With $5–$15/Day
Begin with a small test budget to identify what works. Scale only after seeing strong engagement or click-throughs.
3.2 Choose the Right Objective
Facebook/Instagram Ad Objectives:
Awareness (Brand Reach)
Traffic (Website Clicks)
Conversion (Leads / Purchases)
3.3 Target Smart, Not Broad
Instead of guessing, use:
Lookalike Audiences
Retargeting (website visitors or IG engagers)
Local audience filters (for service businesses)
3.4 Start With Static & Simple Video Ads
You don’t need cinematic video. High-performing budget ads include:
Customer testimonial graphics
Before/after animations
Short talking-head videos shot on phone
3.5 Track ROI Like a Pro
Success Metrics:
Cost Per Click (CPC)
Click-Through Rate (CTR)
Cost Per Lead or Sale
External Link Example (Authority Resource): Learn more about ad benchmarking from Meta Business:
4. FAQs
Q1: How much does it cost to hire a social media agency?
Most agencies range from $500 to $5,000+ per month depending on content volume, ad management, and strategy depth.
Q2: Should I create content if I hire an agency?
A strong agency will produce content for you. Your role is to approve and provide brand insight.
Q3: How long until I see results?
Most brands see momentum within 60–90 days of consistent content and strategic ads.
5. Final Call: Ready to Grow With a Trusted Social Media Partner?
Working with the right agency isn’t an expense—it’s an investment. At Sol Social Media, we don’t just post content. We build brands.
🚀 From content calendars to budget-friendly ads, we create strategies that convert.
Let’s turn your social media into your most powerful growth channel.




Comments