A social media marketing package is only easy to compare when each provider defines the same work. Look beyond the headline fee or number of posts: check which platforms are included, who creates and approves content, what happens to comments and messages, whether advertising spend is separate, how results are reported, and who controls the business accounts.
Engage24’s current Social Media Marketing service page describes packages with different platform coverage, content cadence, creative, community-management, advertising and reporting inclusions. Its page also states that ad spend is not included in package prices. Use the live page and the written quote as the source of truth for current inclusions and pricing.
What should a social media package specify?
Before comparing prices, ask each provider to describe the same seven areas:
- Platforms and accounts: Which channels are managed, and are the same assets simply cross-posted or adapted for each platform?
- Content output: How many posts, Stories, Reels or other formats are included? Does the fee cover copywriting, design, photography, video editing, scheduling and publishing—or only some of them?
- Community management: Are comments and direct messages monitored? Who replies, what topics must be escalated, and what response hours are covered?
- Paid advertising: Is campaign strategy, setup and optimisation included? Is the media budget paid separately to the platform? Never compare a management fee with a package that includes a different ad budget without separating the two.
- Reporting and meetings: Which platform and website measures are reported, how often, and what decisions will the review help you make?
- Approvals and revisions: Who supplies information and assets, how many review rounds are included, and what happens if feedback or content arrives late?
- Access, ownership and exit: Which business accounts and files remain yours, what access does the provider need, and what will be handed over if the engagement ends?
A short written scope makes these answers comparable. If a quote says “content creation” or “management” without defining the channels, formats, quantities and responsibilities, ask for the detail before signing.
Separate activity from business results
Platform metrics are useful, but they are not all the same as leads or sales. Meta Business Suite Insights can report on organic and paid activity, including views, content interactions and link clicks. Those measures help explain what happened on the platforms; they do not, by themselves, prove that a campaign generated a qualified enquiry.
For website visits, use consistent campaign tags on links and check the resulting sessions and enquiries in your analytics. Google’s URL builder guidance describes utm_source, utm_medium and utm_campaign; keep the values consistent because campaign-tag values are case-sensitive. For example, an organic Instagram link might use utm_source=instagram, utm_medium=organic_social and a clear campaign name. Use a different medium for paid social campaigns.
Ask the provider to separate platform reach and engagement, tagged website visits, and the business outcomes you actually care about—such as completed enquiry forms or booked calls. Agree how those outcomes will be counted before the work starts. Do not treat follower growth, impressions or clicks as a guaranteed sales result.
Keep control of business accounts
The business should remain in control of its own social accounts and advertising assets. Meta explains that a business portfolio owner can share assets with a partner and assign full or partial access for selected tasks. Ask for the minimum access needed to deliver the agreed work rather than sharing personal passwords. Confirm who can approve spending, publish posts, manage people and remove access.
A quick comparison checklist
Before choosing a package, confirm in writing: the platforms and account names; the exact deliverables and content formats for the quoted period; who supplies and produces each asset; whether community replies and paid-campaign management are included; the separate media budget; the reporting schedule and success measures; approval/revision steps; account ownership and access; and the contract, cancellation and handover terms.
Then compare like with like. A lower quote may cover fewer channels or less production; a higher quote may include work you do not need. The right fit is the scope your team can support and the outcomes you can measure—not simply the largest post count.
Frequently asked questions
Does a social media marketing package include the ad budget?
Not necessarily. Check the quote and ask for the media spend to be shown separately from management and production fees. Engage24’s current service page says advertising spend is excluded from its package prices.
How many posts should a small business get?
There is no universal number. Choose a realistic cadence for the platforms, content quality, approvals and team capacity involved. Ask providers to define what counts as a post and which formats are included.
What should I measure each month?
Review platform activity such as views, interactions and link clicks, then distinguish those from tagged website sessions and recorded enquiries or bookings. Choose measures that match the campaign goal and agree their definitions in advance.
Should an agency own my social accounts?
Keep the business in control of its accounts and assets. Grant the provider the access needed for its tasks, and confirm that you can change or remove that access when the work ends.
Compare your options with Engage24
If you are weighing up social media support, review Engage24’s current Social Media Marketing packages and ask for a scope that makes platforms, content, community management, advertising, reporting and account access clear. You can use the page to book a conversation or request a quote.
Sources
- Engage24 Social Media Marketing service page — current service scope, package inclusions and ad-spend note.
- Meta Business Help Center: About Insights in Meta Business Suite — platform reporting measures.
- Meta Business Help Center: Give a partner access to business assets — full and partial access for partners.
- Google Analytics Help: URL builders — UTM campaign parameters and case sensitivity.