How much time does managing a social media agency take?

Key takeaways

To manage a social media agency well takes about 2 to 3 hours a week in month one and around 1 hour a week once the routine settles, as a GBL working rule. The time goes on onboarding, approvals, supplying photos and a monthly review. A single approver keeps it low.

• Plan on about 2 to 3 hours a week in month one.
• Expect around 1 hour a week once the routine settles.
• Approvals and photos take most of the client's time.
• One named approver halves the back and forth.

Why does an agency still need your time?

An agency can write, design and post, but it cannot know what happened in your business this week. Your input on offers, jobs, customer questions and approvals is what makes content specific. Some time is essential; the aim is to make it short and regular.

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How much time does it take each week?

As a GBL working rule, plan on 2 to 3 hours a week in month one for onboarding, access and feedback, falling to around 1 hour a week from month two or three. Busy launches or campaigns add time. Your own figure depends on approvals and how much content you supply.

• Month one: about 2 to 3 hours a week.
• Settled routine: around 1 hour a week.
• Launches and campaigns: more for a few weeks.
• Monthly review: 30 to 60 minutes.

What is the time spent on?

Most client time goes on four things: approving the content calendar, sending photos and news, answering questions the agency cannot, and the monthly review. Messages that need the owner, such as quote requests, also need passing on quickly.

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How do you keep the time low?

Name one approver, approve the month's calendar in one sitting, share photos through a folder weekly and answer questions in writing. Agree which posts can go live without approval, such as routine reminders, so only important content waits for you.

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When does an agency take too much of your time?

If you are still spending several hours a week after three months, something is wrong: unclear briefs, too many revisions or weekly calls that do not need to happen. Raise it at the monthly review. Taking the work off your hands is a large part of what you are paying for.

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What does this look like in practice?

A pattern we see with UK owner-managed businesses: in month one the owner sends voice notes and photos daily, and by month three it is a weekly folder and a monthly call. Global Bridge Labs (GBL) aims for a routine where the owner approves once a month and only hears from us when a decision is needed.

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Client time checklist

Set these up early.

• One approver and a deputy.
• Monthly calendar approval slot.
• Shared photo folder, filled weekly.
• Posts that can go live without approval.
• Monthly review, 30 to 60 minutes.

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Next step

Tell us how much time you can give each week. We will design the routine around it.