How to Start a Social Media Marketing Agency?

An SMMA (social media marketing agency) helps businesses grow online. It’s a service-based business that works with companies that need help running their social pages. When you’re starting a social media marketing agency, you offer services like posting content, running ads, making graphics, replying to comments, and tracking results. Dentists, local clinics, and other small businesses need this help. They are busy with their work and don’t always have time to post or run ads. That’s where your agency comes in.

Let’s walk through it all and tell you how to start a social media marketing agency and how to succeed.

What is an SMMA?

SMMA stands for social media marketing agency. It’s a business that helps other businesses get seen online. It runs their Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and sometimes TikTok. It creates posts, videos, and ads. It makes sure people are engaging, liking, sharing, or messaging.

The agency handles everything from writing captions to scheduling posts to answering DMs. If a dental office hires you, you help them show up more online. You help them get reviews, bring in new patients, and look more professional on the internet.

If you are starting a social media marketing agency, you can run it by one person or a full team. Some work from home, and some have offices. It’s flexible, but the goal is always the same: help clients grow using social media.

The Role of a Social Media Manager

A social media manager in Phoenix, Arizona is the person who does the work inside the agency. If you are just starting a social media marketing agency, you might be the manager at first. Later, you can hire others.

This person creates and plans content. They write short and clear captions. They pick the right hashtags. They know when to post and which platform works best for each client. They also answer comments and messages, track how the posts are doing, and make reports to show results.

If something isn’t working, they fix it. If something is working great, they do more of it. Social media managers are creative, organized, and good at talking online. This role is one of the most important parts of a social media marketing agency.

Steps of Starting a Social Media Marketing Agency

If you’re starting a social media marketing agency, forget the vague motivational talk. This is how it’s done:

1. Pick a Niche and Get Specific

Don’t try to help everyone. Pick one industry. Go deep, not wide.

• Dentists
• Chiropractors
• Local gyms
• Restaurants
• Lawyers

Learn how to speak their language. When you do it, you win their trust.

Example niche statement that’s clear and sells:

“We help local dentists get 30+ new patients a month using Instagram and paid ads.”

2. Choose Your Services

Start small, deliver well, and build from there. You don’t need to offer everything. Choose services based on what gets results.

• Monthly content creation (photos, videos, graphics)
• Captions + hashtag research
• Content scheduling
• Paid ad campaign setup and management
• Monthly performance reports
• Community management (replying to DMs/comments)
• Short-form video creation (Reels, TikToks)
• Email marketing (optional add-on)

Note: Don’t list services just to look big when starting a social media marketing agency. Pick what solves your niche’s biggest problems.

3. Know What It Costs to Start

You don’t need a lot of money, but it’s not free either. Here’s a basic startup budget range:

When you are starting a social media marketing agency, you need a realistic startup range: $500 – $1,500. You can go lower if you DIY most of it. You don’t need a fancy office. A laptop, Wi-Fi, and Google Docs work fine.

4. Set Your Pricing

Don’t guess, and get to know the market. Here’s what other small agencies charge:

Add-ons:

• Paid Ads Management: +$300–$1,000/month (not including ad spend)
• Community Management: +$200–$500/month
• Email Campaigns: +$500–$1,000/month

Charge monthly and get paid upfront. You can use Stripe or ACH. No one likes chasing invoices.

5. Build Your Offer (Make It Make Sense)

An offer is not just a list of services. It’s a result.

Bad offer:

“10 social posts, 5 reels, 1 report, 3 stories per week”

Good offer:

“We help dental clinics book 25–40 new patients/month by turning their Instagram into a lead machine.”

You’re not selling content. You’re selling outcomes.

6. Create a Simple Website and Brand

You don’t need to win design awards. You need to convert.

• Use a clean layout with 3 core pages: Home, Services, Contact
• Show a real photo of you or your team
• Add a clear CTA button (“Book a Free Call”)
• Put your niche front and center on the homepage.

Your Tools: WordPress, Webflow, Carrd, Wix (keep it under $30/month)

7. Find Your First 3 Clients

Do NOT run Facebook ads yet. You’d better start with:

• Friends and family who own businesses
• Cold DMs and emails to local businesses
• Your own network: people who know you and trust you
• LinkedIn posts showing your work
• Posting daily on your own Instagram

Offer a free strategy call. Show them their broken funnel. Then pitch the fix.

If you’re good, referrals will follow.

8. Deliver Real Results

You don’t need to go viral. You need to bring value. Focus on these KPIs:

• Leads generated
• Reach and engagement growth
• Click-through rate (for ads)
• Conversions (calls booked, forms filled)

Send a short report every month. Highlight wins. Be honest about what didn’t work.

Use simple tools:

• Google Sheets (reporting)
• Canva (graphics)
• Buffer/Later (scheduling)
• Meta Ads Manager (for paid campaigns)

9. Systemize and Scale

Once you hit 5+ clients:

• Hire a virtual assistant for content scheduling
• Bring in a freelancer for design or copy
• Build SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) so others can follow your workflow
• Use Notion or ClickUp to organize projects.

Then:

• Raise your prices
• Niche down even harder
• Offer higher-level strategy or consulting

10. Keep It Legal and Clean

Even when you’re starting a social media marketing agency from home, don’t skip this part:

• Register an LLC or legal entity
• Get a business bank account
• Use basic contracts (get them signed via DocuSign or PandaDoc)
• Send invoices through Stripe, QuickBooks, or Bonsai.

Remember. Starting a social media marketing agency means building a real business. Run it like one.

Best Social Media Marketing Agency in Phoenix, Arizona

If starting a social media marketing agency is not in your plans, but you need help with social media, Wise Advertisement is the local agency in Phoenix to call!

We know how to grow your presence online. Our team is based in Phoenix and works closely with businesses just like yours. We help with content, SEO, paid ads, email marketing, and much more.

If you want real results and a team that understands your business, reach out today. Let’s talk about your goals and get started with a FREE consultation.

Starting a Social Media Management Business: Let’s Recap

Starting a social media marketing agency is a great way to help others and build a solid business. If you pick a clear niche, offer real value, and show up consistently, you can do very well. The need for this kind of service is growing every day. Local businesses want help. They need better posts, better ads, and better results.

With a plan, some simple tools, and the right attitude, you can build something strong. Keep learning. Keep helping others. That’s how you grow a real business that lasts.

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