What your first month with a social media agency pays for

Key takeaways

Your first month with a social media agency pays mostly for set-up: access, research, a plan, templates and the first posts. Fewer posts may go live than in later months. Across our client work, the first measurable result usually arrives within 3 to 4 weeks.

• Month one is mostly set-up: access, research, plan and templates.
• Fewer posts may go live in month one than later.
• The first measurable result often arrives within 3 to 4 weeks.
• Your input in week one decides how fast things move.

What happens in the first month?

The first month covers onboarding: getting access to accounts, an audit of what exists, research into your customers and competitors, a short plan, brand templates and the first batch of posts. By the end, there should be a calendar for month two and a baseline to measure against.

• Social media agency pricing in the UK
• Social media agency set-up fees: what is reasonable?

What does the first month cost?

Some agencies charge a separate set-up fee, others build set-up into the first month's retainer. Either way, the first month carries more hours than later months. Ask whether the first month's fee includes set-up and what will be delivered by the end of it.

• Social media agency trial periods: what a fair test is

What should you supply in week one?

Supply access, brand files and knowledge in week one. Delays here push everything back. A 60-minute call with the owner about customers, offers and common questions gives the agency more useful material than any amount of desk research.

• Admin access to each account, in your business's name.
• Logo, colours, fonts and recent photos.
• Your best customers and most common questions.
• Offers, events and dates for the next three months.

What should you see by the end of month one?

By the end of month one you should see a short plan, templates, a content calendar for month two, the first posts live and a baseline of current numbers. If you have none of these after four weeks, ask why.

• What is included in a social media retainer?

What should you not expect in month one?

Do not expect large follower growth or a flood of enquiries in the first month. The agency is learning your business and building the base. Early signals are reliable posting, faster replies and content that looks like your business rather than a template.

• How long does social media take to work?

What does this look like in practice?

A pattern we see with UK clients: the businesses that send access and photos in the first few days see their first posts go live quickly and their first measurable result sooner. Global Bridge Labs (GBL) runs a short onboarding call and a checklist so week one is not spent waiting.

• See client work
• Social Media Marketing for UK businesses

First month checklist

Agree these before month one starts.

• What month one delivers, in writing.
• Whether set-up is in the fee or separate.
• Access and files you will send in week one.
• Date of the first review.
• Baseline numbers to measure against.

• How much time does managing a social media agency take?
• The cost of a bad social media agency

Next step

Tell us your channels and when you want to start. We will send the first-month plan and what we need from you.