How much does social media management cost in India? (2026 guide)
What decides the price of social media management in India, how agencies charge, and what to ask so the quote has no surprises.
By Udyansh Gulati, Founder & Creative Director · · 2 min read
There is no single price for social media management in India, because two brands that both say “we need Instagram” can need very different amounts of work. What you pay is decided by how much is made, how it is made, and how often. This guide explains each part so you can read any quote.
What decides the price
- Platforms: one platform costs less than Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube together.
- Volume: how many posts, carousels, stories and reels a month.
- Reels and video: a reel that is edited from stock and your photos costs less than one that is scripted, shot and edited. Shoots add crew, location and a day of work.
- Design effort: simple templates versus fully designed posts and carousels.
- Community management: replying to comments and messages, and how quickly.
- Strategy and reporting: planning the month, and a report on what worked.
- Paid promotion: ad spend is paid to the platform and is separate from the agency fee.
How agencies charge
- A monthly retainer: a fixed fee for a fixed list of deliverables. Best for steady, ongoing work.
- A package: a retainer with a menu (for example, a set number of posts and reels).
- A project fee: for a launch, a campaign or a shoot with a start and an end.
- A percentage of ad spend: common for paid work, usually on top of the retainer.
Questions to ask before you agree
- What exactly is included each month? Ask for the list: number of posts, reels, stories, and who writes the captions.
- Is a shoot included, or is it extra? If extra, how is it priced?
- How many rounds of changes do I get?
- Who replies to comments and messages, and within what time?
- What do you report, and when?
- Is ad spend separate, and what is the management fee on top?
- How long is the contract, and what is the notice period?
Cheap is expensive when it is inconsistent
Social media rewards steady work. A feed that posts well for a month and goes quiet for two does less than a modest plan kept up for a year. When comparing quotes, compare what is delivered, not only the number at the bottom. A low price that leaves out reels, replies and reporting is rarely the cheaper option.
How we quote
We scope it from your brief and give a fixed quote before anything starts, listing exactly what is included. See what we do on our social media marketing page, or send us your brief.