Choosing the Right Social Media Marketing Agency

Your story matters. Your strategy should too. Let’s make sure your content actually works for your business. ✨

Social media has the power to make your brand visible, memorable, and magnetic. But for small business owners? It can also feel like another full-time job. Between caption writing, content creation, reels editing, and keeping up with the algorithm—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, stuck, or like you're just posting for the sake of it.

The right social media marketing agency changes everything. It helps you get clear on your goals, show up consistently, and make every post count—without burning out or losing your voice along the way.

But finding the right fit isn’t just about budget or aesthetics. It’s about values, communication, and strategy. You deserve a partner who not only understands digital marketing—but understands *you*.

Start with Why You Need a Social Media Marketing Agency 💭

Before you look outward for support, take a moment to look inward. What are you hoping social media will actually do for your business? More leads? More brand awareness? More community? More conversions?

Set SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. When you know your destination, it’s much easier to find the right agency to guide the journey. A good agency doesn’t just execute. They help you clarify, evolve, and expand your marketing goals along the way.

Know What You Need (and What You Don’t)🎯

Social media support can come in many forms—from one-off strategy sessions to full-service monthly management. Think about your current capacity. Do you have a content bank already? Do you want to be involved in writing, or prefer handing it off completely? Do you need help with video editing, or just the strategy behind it?

Be honest about your time, energy, and budget. This not only helps you find the right fit, but helps your agency deliver the best results possible.

Vet Their Online Presence 🔍

A social media agency’s own feed tells you everything you need to know. Are they consistent? Creative? Do they share value? Do they interact with their own community? If their content feels aligned with the type of marketing you want—great sign.

Dig a little deeper into their tone, their testimonials, and their case studies. Have they worked with businesses similar to yours in size, industry, or style? Have they helped clients get results beyond just followers—like conversions, inquiries, or meaningful engagement?

Look Beyond the Portfolio 📁

The visuals are important—but not the whole story. Ask to see behind-the-scenes: What strategy informed those posts? What metrics did they use to measure success? How did they shift or pivot when something didn’t work?

Great marketing isn’t just about looking good—it’s about *knowing what works* and *why*. Make sure your agency can speak confidently about the data, the creative process, and the real results they’re aiming for.

Ask the Right Questions 💬

The discovery call is your chance to get curious. Here are a few powerful questions to ask:

• What does your onboarding process look like?
• How do you tailor strategy to a client’s specific goals?
• What tools or systems do you use for planning and communication?
• How do you measure ROI, and what metrics will we track together?
• What does your reporting process look like?

Red Flags to Watch For 🚩

A few things that should make you pause: guaranteed overnight results, vague proposals, inflexible contracts, poor communication, or no clear process. If it feels pushy, overly salesy, or unclear—it’s probably not the right fit.

Make Sure They Track What Matters 📊

Vanity metrics (like followers or likes) are nice—but they aren’t the whole picture. Your agency should help you track deeper impact: reach, saves, website clicks, leads, conversions, customer lifetime value, and more.

The right agency helps you understand what’s working, what’s not, and what’s worth your time and budget. They’ll translate data into action steps—and make sure your content is moving the needle.

Trust the Vibe 💡

The best marketing partnerships are collaborative, supportive, and energising. Do you feel heard? Do you feel excited? Do you feel like they “get” your brand and your goals? If yes—amazing.

Your social media agency shouldn’t just be a vendor. They should be your partner, your strategist, and your sounding board. You’re trusting them with your brand’s voice—make sure that voice is in good hands.

Let’s Build Something Meaningful 🌿

At Seventeen Social, we help female-founded small businesses craft social media strategies that feel aligned, effective, and empowering. We believe in storytelling over shouting. Strategy over guesswork. Connection over clicks.

Whether you're launching something new or ready to hand off your socials entirely—we're here to help you show up with confidence and clarity.

💬 Ready to explore what it looks like to work together? Let’s chat. We’d love to be part of your journey.