What’s My Social Media Budget?

Sep 15

Let’s be honest — this is the part no one talks about clearly.

You want to invest in social media.
You know you need content.
You’re ready to show up consistently.
But when it comes to budgeting, all you get are vague answers like:

“It depends.”
“There’s no one-size-fits-all.”
“It’s an investment.”

Okay… but how much are we actually talking?

If you're a business owner in Windsor, Hamilton, Detroit, or Toronto — here’s a breakdown of how to set a realistic social media budget, based on where you're at and where you're trying to go.

Start With This: What’s the Role of Social in Your Business?

Ask yourself:

Is social media your main source of leads?
Is it supporting a product or service launch?
Do you need it to drive real revenue or just build visibility?
Are you managing it in-house or outsourcing it?

Your answers shape how much you should budget — because strategy, execution, and ROI expectations all change depending on the goal.

What You Might Spend (Ballpark Ranges for Small Businesses)

Here’s what we typically see in the Windsor, Hamilton, Toronto, and Detroit markets:

DIY / Solopreneur Setup

$0–$100/month
→ You’re doing it all yourself.
→ Cost includes tools (like Canva Pro, Metricool, Later, etc.)

Pros: Low cost
Cons: High time commitment, slow growth

Freelancer / Light Support

$300–$800/month
→ Basic posts, light strategy, visuals, and scheduling
→ Often limited analytics, no deeper content planning

Great for: Newer businesses or low-maintenance brands

Agency or Done-for-You Support

$1,200–$3,500+/month
→ Full strategy, custom content, Reels, captions, analytics, and optimization
→ Often includes content calendars, brand tone development, and conversion-focused planning

Best for: Service providers, local businesses, or product brands who need hands-off support with real ROI

Bonus Costs to Consider

Ad Spend → If you're running Meta or Google Ads
Photography or Videography → Content shoots to elevate visuals
Templates or Systems → Pre-built content calendars, Notion templates, or content libraries
Training or Consulting → Strategy intensives or 1:1 coaching if you're DIYing with guidance

These aren’t always “musts” — but they often lead to faster, stronger results.

What We Tell Our Clients at Buttered Branding

We’ve worked with clients in all four cities — Windsor, Toronto, Hamilton, and Detroit — and the one thing we always say is:

Your social budget should match your goals.

If you want social to build trust, drive leads, and convert clients — treat it like a growth channel, not a side project.

We’ll help you:

Set a realistic monthly or quarterly budget
Prioritize the services that actually move the needle
Adjust as your business grows

Whether you’re ready for full done-for-you support or want to start with strategy + systems, we’ll help you make it make sense.

Want a Social Strategy That Fits Your Budget — Not Just Your Feed?

Book a discovery call and we’ll help you figure out what to invest in now, what to wait on, and what will give you the highest return for your business.