According to Sprout Social, over 5.17 billion use social media in 2024. No wonder, millions of business owners are using popular social media platforms to talk about their products and services. But doing the same requires a strong command on social media, deep knowhow of content, and a lot of time. A lot of business owners don’t have that and that’s why social media marketing agencies are in demand.
The rise of social media marketing brings an opportunity for a lot of aspiring entrepreneurs to achieve remarkable growth in this under-tapped segment. But starting a social media agency is no cakewalk. That is why Upreports – a leading social media marketing agency of India – decided to write an extensive guide explaining everything you need to know about starting your own social media marketing agency!
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you to launch your SM firm.
Step 1: Get familiar with social
Before starting an agency, you need to know the ins and outs of social media marketing. Learn about different social media platforms, how they work, popular marketing strategies, industry trends, and social media advertising.
Free resources are available on platforms like HubSpot Academy, Google Digital Garage, and even specific courses on LinkedIn Learning. Complete some online certifications as well. This may take some time but this is important to accomplish if you want to deliver quality social media work to future clients.
Step 2: Identify Your Niche
Niche helps you focus your efforts in terms of client acquisition and stand out in a crowded social media market. Your niche could be based on industry ( fashion, technology) or the type of service you provide (content creation, paid advertising). A niche is a specific area of interest or expertise that you can focus on and create content around. So, find your niche before starting a social media marketing agency!
Step 3: Develop Your Brand
Your agency’s brand is crucial because it represents your identity and values. Decide on a:
- Business name
- Launch a website
- Get a logo
- Set up social media profiles
These elements should appeal to your target market and reflect the professionalism and uniqueness of your services. Brand building also includes building your agency name on popular channels (Quora, Reddit, Google).
Step 4: Build Your Portfolio
You won’t start a social media marketing agency overnight. You’ll need to start building a strong portfolio to attract clients. If you’re new, you might need to do some initial work for free or at a reduced rate to build this portfolio. This is fine in the first couple of months. Try to work for NGOs, local business organizations, and charities to get the name out there. Do amazing work to attract eyeballs and publish your portfolio on your website and job portals!
Step 5: Legalize Your Business
If you are really serious about launching a social media agency and want to close big ticket clients, we recommend registering your business. This involves choosing a business structure (like LLC, corporation, or sole proprietorship), registering the business name, and obtaining any necessary licenses or permits. This can be postponed as well if you want to test waters before going all out!
Step 6: Set Your Pricing
As you grow, you’ll be able to charge more and adjust your business margins but to begin with, you need to be reasonable with monthly packages and one-time costs. Research what others in the industry are charging and consider your expertise level. Pricing can always be adjusted as you grow, but having a clear initial pricing structure is important for negotiating with potential clients.
Step 7: Create a Marketing Plan
Use your skills to market your new social media marketing company. Develop a strategy that includes:
- Social media marketing
- Content marketing
- Paid advertising
- Referral
- Branding
You need to create a business plan to lead your decision-making as an agency owner. Also, you need a financial foundation to get started and continue operating.
Step 8: Launch Your Website
Every social media marketing agency needs a professional website. We have already signaled toward this above but let’s spend some more time on this. Your social media agency website should showcase your:
- Services
- Portfolio
- Contact information
- Location
- Terms and conditions
- Testimonials
Use tools like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace to build a cool website. Drop us a message if you need help with that!
Step 9: Use Social Media
Since you’re starting a social media agency, your presence on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter should be strong. Use these platforms to share your expertise, engage with your audience, and promote your business. Focus on video content and knowledge sharing to prove your expertise. This is how you start a winning social media marketing agency!
Recommended reading:
HTTP status list for SEO
On-page SEO and everything it includes
Social media marketing facts and stats
Basics of social media marketing
Step 10: Hire someone
Once your agency starts taking off, you won’t be able to manage client communications, project management, billing, content creation, and growth on your own. So, keep an eye out for good social media talent. Hire someone young and savvy for your new social marketing firm! Don’t try to do it all on your own unless you want to burnout!
Step 11: Gather Feedback and Scale
Regular feedback from clients will help you improve and grow your business. As you establish your social media agency, consider offering new services based on demand and your areas of expertise. This will help you identify areas where you can improve as well as demonstrate that you value their opinions.
Step 12: Run Ads
Once your agency is up and running, it’s a good idea to start advertising your services. Use online ads on platforms like Facebook, Google, and Instagram to reach potential clients. Running ads can help you target specific types of businesses or industries that would benefit from your services, increasing your visibility and attracting more clients to help your agency grow.
Step 13: Create Content
Creating content is crucial for showcasing your expertise and engaging with potential clients. Develop a variety of content like blog posts, videos, infographics, and social media updates that reflect your knowledge and the value of your services. You can also utilize the content your followers, and customers create for you. This is the way to launch a successful social media marketing firm!
Step 14: Get Projects
New social media agencies can acquire projects from a lot of places. Reach out to potential clients through emails, social media, bidding sites, cold calling, and networking events. Show them how your services can benefit their business. You can also use platforms like LinkedIn and Catalant to connect with businesses that might need your help.
Step 14: Get an Outsourcing Partner
Your social media partner will bring in a lot of new opportunities and nurturing them all won’t be possible without an outsourcing partner. Join hands with an experienced digital marketing agency like Upreports to gain access of talented professionals that can handle graphics, videos, SEO, branding, and paid ads when work becomes too much. Drop us an email to talk about this!
Start Your Social Media Marketing Agency
Starting your own social media marketing agency involves a mix of creativity, strategic planning, and continuous learning. Social media marketing is necessary for any business that wants to stand out. Your competition is using social media to reach new customers, so it’s time for you to enhance your efforts. By following these steps and staying committed to your goals, you can build a successful agency that helps businesses thrive in the digital world.
Got any queries to ask? Send them to hello@upreports.com and have them answered by our social media experts!
Learn about our most popular digital marketing services:
Brand building services in India
Content creation services in India