‍What Does a Social Media Marketing Agency Actually Do?

Let’s clear something up straight away.

A social media marketing agency doesn’t just:

• post a few graphics
• write captions
• reply to comments
• “keep your Instagram ticking over”

If that’s all you’re getting, you’re not getting marketing - you’re getting admin.

In 2025, a good social media marketing agency plays a much bigger role in business growth. And if you’re a business owner wondering whether you actually need one, this blog gives you a straight answer.

No jargon. No fluff. Just the reality.

First Things First: Social Media ≠ Marketing

Posting on social media is not the same as marketing on social media.

Marketing is about:

• attracting the right audience
• building trust over time
• influencing decisions
• driving enquiries or sales
• supporting wider business goals

Anyone can post.
Very few businesses post strategically.

That’s where a proper agency comes in.

So… What Does a Social Media Marketing Agency Actually Do?

A good agency doesn’t just “manage accounts”.
It builds a system around your business.

Here’s what that looks like in practice.

1. Strategy

Before anything gets posted, a real agency starts with strategy.

This includes:

• understanding your business goals
• identifying your target audience
• choosing the right platforms (not all of them)
• defining your tone of voice
• setting clear objectives

According to HubSpot, businesses with a documented marketing strategy are over 3x more likely to report success than those without one.

That’s not luck - that’s planning.

2. Content Planning

One of the most common things we hear at Evolve My Media is:

“We never know what to post.”

A social media marketing agency removes that problem completely.

Content planning usually includes:

• clear content pillars (education, proof, personality, offers)
• post ideas tied to business goals
• consistency across platforms
• balance between value and promotion

This turns social media from a daily stress into a structured system.

3. Content Creation

This isn’t about Canva templates and stock photos.

Good agencies focus on:

• short-form video
• real people
• behind-the-scenes content
• talking-to-camera clips
• testimonials and proof

According to Hootsuite, content featuring real people consistently outperforms overly polished content on engagement.

In other words: authentic beats perfect.

4. Posting, Scheduling & Consistency

Consistency is where most businesses fall down - not effort.

An agency ensures:

• content goes out regularly
• timing is optimised
• messaging stays consistent
• brand voice doesn’t drift

Not posting every day - posting well and consistently.

5. Paid Ads & Amplification

Organic content builds trust.
Paid ads create scale.

A social media marketing agency should:

• identify when ads are actually needed
• turn high-performing content into ads
• target the right audiences
• manage budgets properly
• optimise performance over time

According to Wordstream, most small businesses spend between £500–£3,000 per month on paid social - which is why understanding the cost of social media marketing really matters.

Bad ads waste money.
Good ads accelerate what’s already working.

Real Example: How We Helped Cousins Furniture Celebrate 40 Years

Talking about strategy is one thing - seeing it work is another.

A great example of what a social media marketing agency actually does is our work with Cousins Furniture, supporting their 40th anniversary campaign.

This wasn’t about selling a product.
It was about celebrating a milestone and telling a story - properly.

The Challenge

Cousins Furniture wanted:

• content that marked a major brand milestone
• a campaign that felt personal, not corporate
• strong engagement during the anniversary period
• increased visibility without losing brand identity

They didn’t need more posts.
They needed a clear, story-led campaign.

Our Approach

Instead of random posting, we built a focused storytelling strategy.

This included:

• a clear narrative around the 40-year journey
• short-form video content featuring real people
• behind-the-scenes footage to add authenticity
• captions designed to spark connection, not just likes
• paid social to amplify the strongest organic content

Every piece of content had a purpose - whether that was awareness, engagement or reach.

The Outcome

The campaign:

• significantly increased visibility during the anniversary period
• drove strong engagement across social platforms
• reinforced Cousins Furniture’s brand personality
• connected emotionally with both existing and new audiences

Not viral-for-the-sake-of-it.
Relevant, timely and effective.

Why This Matters

This is what a social media marketing agency should be doing:

• building campaigns, not just posts
• tying content to real business moments
• using storytelling to create connection
• amplifying what works with paid ads
• focusing on outcomes, not vanity metrics

That’s the difference between being active on social media and using social media to grow a business.

What a Social Media Marketing Agency Does Not Do

A good agency won’t:

• promise overnight results
• chase every trend
• post for the sake of it
• be on every platform
• use generic, copy-and-paste content

If it sounds too good to be true - it usually is.

Do Small Businesses Actually Need a Social Media Agency?

Not always - but often sooner than they think.

DIY can work early on.
It usually breaks down when:

• time becomes limited
• consistency drops
• results plateau
• growth feels unpredictable

This is when support stops being a “nice to have” and starts becoming a growth tool.

Key Takeaways (Worth Saving)

• A social media marketing agency builds strategy, not just posts
• Content should support business goals, not vanity metrics
• Organic builds trust, paid creates scale
• Consistency beats frequency
• Results come from systems, not guesswork

FAQs: Social Media Marketing Agencies

What’s the difference between social media management and marketing?
Management is posting. Marketing is strategy, growth and results.

How much does a social media marketing agency cost?
The cost of social media marketing typically ranges from £500–£3,000+ per month, depending on scope and goals.

How long does it take to see results?
Most businesses see clearer momentum within 3–6 months when strategy and consistency are in place.

Where Evolve My Media Fits In

At Evolve My Media, we don’t just “run social accounts”.

We help businesses across Shrewsbury, Shropshire and the wider UK:

• build social strategies that actually make sense
• create content people genuinely care about
• use paid ads properly
• turn attention into enquiries
• grow online without the overwhelm

Our focus is simple:
👉 less noise, clearer strategy, better results.

📞 Wondering If an Agency Is Right for You?

If you’re questioning whether your social media is actually doing anything for your business, it’s probably time for a conversation.

➡️ Book a free discovery call with Evolve My Media
We’ll show you what’s working, what’s missing, and what support would actually help.

‍