i should probably charge more but… it’s a startup.
Beginners Pre-Agreement Checklist: Startup Social Media Manager Questions
💸 Proposed Rate & Scope:
$1,500–$2,000 flat for a full 6–12 week social media strategy, scoped at 20–30 hours max (effective hourly rate: $60–$75/hr).
OR: $45/hr for 20–30 hrs/week to create the strategy, execute planning, and manage posting.
What’s the hourly rate you can afford? (In my experience, $45–$70/hr is typical for strategy, content creation, influencer coordination, copywriting, content planning, posting, and light analytics.)
How many hours per week are expected?
Can you send a new contract?
What do you specifically mean by "social media management"? Strategy, posting, content creation, engagement, analytics, influencer outreach, ect? I can write a list of responsibilities depending on hours—this is easier to assess after the strategy is built.
Can I set up a Shopify store to connect Amazon FBA to TikTok Shop & Instagram Shop? (This is the key to success—impulse buying on TikTok & IG Shop is huge for Amazon-linked products.)
Can we agree on a 6–12 week launch plan?
Week 1: I’ll need 5–7 business days to lock in:
Brand strategy
Target audience
Voice & tone
Platforms
Content pillars
→ Delivered in a presentation. $45/hr with a cap of 20–30 hours.How many products are available to send to influencers for UGC?
Is there a budget for boosting posts? ($100–$500/month ideal, especially for launch traction)
Will I have access to a content scheduling tool (e.g., Metricool, Later, Sprout)?
Will I eventually receive a dedicated phone for managing content, DMs, and tools?
Can I work remote/hybrid while building the plan?
Who approves content, and what’s the feedback/approval process?
What’s the turnaround time for approvals or edits?
What’s the process for handling negative feedback or PR issues?
Will I have access to product knowledge, brand claims, FAQs, etc. to answer DMs/comments?
Will I be solely responsible for filming/editing, or will there be creative support? To be determined after the plan is finalized.
Are there specific goals or KPIs tied to social? (Sales, views, follower growth?)
Can we agree that I’ll need creative autonomy day-to-day to keep things agile and on-brand?
I work best when I have creative freedom within the brand voice—we can always review the strategy and bounce ideas together, but day-to-day execution needs autonomy if we want this to grow quickly and authentically.
