Does your social media agency subcontract the work?

Key takeaways

Many social media agencies subcontract some work to freelancers or offshore teams, especially design, video editing and scheduling. That is normal and can keep fees lower. What matters is disclosure, quality control and data protection: you should know who handles your accounts and data, and the agency stays responsible for the work.

• Subcontracting design and editing is common.
• It can keep fees lower.
• Ask who handles your accounts and data.
• The agency stays responsible for quality.

Why do agencies subcontract?

To add specialist skills such as video or animation without hiring, to handle busy periods and to lower production costs through offshore teams. Some agencies are mostly account managers with a network of freelancers; others do almost everything in-house.

• Social media agency pricing in the UK
• White-label social media management: what agencies pay

Does subcontracting affect price?

It can lower it: outsourced design at £25–£40 an hour costs less than in-house agency time at £75–£100. But some agencies subcontract cheaply and still charge full rates. Ask how the work is split and whether the price reflects it.

• Outsourced design: £25–£40 an hour.
• Agency blended time: £75–£100 an hour.
• Ask how work is split.
• Check the price reflects the model.

• social media outsourcing UK vs Sri Lanka

What should you ask about data?

If subcontractors access your accounts or customer data, the agency needs your authorisation for sub-processors under UK GDPR, written contracts with them and safeguards for transfers outside the UK. Ask for a list of sub-processors and how access is controlled.

When is subcontracting a problem?

When it is hidden, when quality varies month to month as freelancers change, or when shared passwords pass between people you have never heard of. Openly managed subcontracting with consistent people is usually fine.

What does this look like in practice?

Global Bridge Labs (GBL) is open that delivery happens in Sri Lanka with a UK-facing lead. In practice, telling clients who does what, and giving each person their own access, usually builds more trust than hiding the model.

• See client work
• Social Media Marketing for UK businesses

Subcontracting checklist

• Ask who does design, video and posting.
• Ask for a list of sub-processors.
• Require individual access, not shared passwords.
• Check quality stays consistent.
• Confirm the agency is responsible for all work.

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Next step

Ask your agency who touched your account last month. If they cannot say, ask why.