How do I invoice for social media management services?

Invoice based on your service structure—monthly retainer, per-post pricing, or campaign-based. Include platform details, content deliverables, posting schedule, engagement activities, and any ad spend pass-through. Break down services clearly so clients understand value.

Should I charge separately for content creation vs. posting?

Yes, many social media managers separate content creation (photography, graphics, copywriting) from community management and posting. This transparency helps clients understand where their budget goes and makes it easier to adjust services.

How do I handle paid advertising budgets?

Keep ad spend separate from management fees. Many managers mark up ad spend 10-20% or charge a flat management fee on top. Always clearly show the ad spend pass-through and your management fee separately.

What should I include in a social media retainer invoice?

Include: platforms covered, number of posts per platform, stories/reels quota, engagement hours, reporting deliverables, and any extras like hashtag research or influencer outreach. Make the scope clear to prevent scope creep.

Social Media Invoice Template

Professional Social Media Invoice Template

Streamline your social media billing with our comprehensive invoice template designed for content creators and social media managers.

Free to use

Professional design

Instant download

Everything You Need for Social Media Manager Invoicing

Our social media manager invoice template includes all the features you need to create professional invoices and get paid faster.

Campaign Tracking

Track and bill for individual social media campaigns across multiple platforms.

Content Package Billing

Bill for content packages including posts, stories, reels, and engagement.

Platform-Specific Itemization

Itemize work by platform: Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Facebook, X/Twitter.

Performance Metrics Integration

Include performance metrics and analytics reporting in your invoices.

Recurring Retainer Support

Set up recurring monthly retainer invoices for ongoing social media management.

Ad Spend Pass-Through

Track and bill advertising spend separately from management fees.

Complete Guide to Social Media Manager Invoicing

As a social media manager or content creator, you help brands build their online presence, engage audiences, and drive business results through social platforms. From content creation to community management, your work requires creativity, strategy, and consistent execution. Professional invoicing ensures you're paid fairly for your social media expertise, clearly communicates the value you deliver, and helps build long-term client relationships. This guide covers everything social media professionals need to know about invoicing.

$1,500-$5,000/month (retainer)

Average Social Media Manager Rate

Monthly in advance

Standard Payment Terms

28%

Experience Late Payments

Essential Elements of a Social Media Invoice

Business Information: Your name/agency, address, phone, email, and your own social handles.
Client Details: Client company name, billing contact, address, and accounts managed.
Invoice Details: Invoice number, issue date, billing period, and due date.
Service Period: The month or campaign period this invoice covers.
Platform Breakdown: List each platform managed: Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, etc.
Content Deliverables: Number of posts, stories, reels, videos delivered per platform.
Management Hours: Community management, engagement, and monitoring hours.
Ad Spend (if applicable): Paid advertising budget managed, shown separately from fees.
Additional Services: Influencer outreach, hashtag research, analytics reports.
Performance Summary: Optional: Key metrics achieved during the billing period.
Subtotal, Taxes, Total: Clear breakdown of all services and final amount due.
Payment Terms: Due date, accepted payment methods, and late payment policy.

Social Media Invoicing Best Practices

Define Scope Clearly: Specify exactly what's included: platforms, post frequency, content types, engagement hours.
Separate Content and Management: Bill content creation separately from community management for transparency.
Document Ad Spend Separately: Never mix ad spend with your fees. Show clear pass-through and management fees.
Include Performance Highlights: Add key metrics to show value: follower growth, engagement rates, reach.
Invoice Monthly in Advance: For retainers, invoice at the start of each month before work begins.
Track Extra Requests: Document and bill for out-of-scope requests like extra posts or rush content.
Specify Platform Deliverables: Break down content by platform so clients see exactly what they're getting.
Include Revision Limits: Specify included revisions. Bill additional rounds at an hourly rate.
Keep Content Calendars: Maintain records of all content created and posted for reference.
Report on Results: Include or attach monthly analytics reports to demonstrate value.

Social Media Pricing Guide

Social media management pricing varies by scope, platforms, and content volume:

Monthly Retainers:

Basic (1-2 platforms, 12 posts/month): $500-$1,500/month
Standard (2-3 platforms, 20 posts/month): $1,500-$3,000/month
Premium (3-4 platforms, 30+ posts/month): $3,000-$7,000/month
Enterprise/Agency: $7,000-$15,000+/month

Per-Post Pricing:

Simple graphic post: $50-$150
Carousel/multi-image: $100-$250
Video/Reel: $150-$500
Long-form video: $300-$1,000

Hourly Rates:

Junior SMM: $25-$50/hour
Experienced SMM: $50-$100/hour
Strategy/Consulting: $100-$200/hour

Additional Services:

Ad management: 10-20% of spend or $500-$2,000/month
Influencer outreach: $500-$2,000/campaign
Monthly analytics report: $200-$500
Content photography: $300-$1,000/session

Standard Payment Terms for Social Media Managers

Recommended payment terms for social media services:

For Monthly Retainers:

Invoice at start of each month
Payment due before work begins
Net 7-15 terms typical
Auto-pay or credit card on file preferred

For Project/Campaign Work:

50% deposit before start
50% upon completion
Or: 100% upfront for smaller projects

For Content Packages:

Payment before content creation
Revisions included in package
Additional content at per-piece rates

Ad Spend:

Client pays ad platform directly, OR
Pass-through with management fee
Payment before ad campaigns launch

Late Payment:

Grace period: 3-5 days
Late fee: 1.5% per month or $25 minimum
Work pauses at 15+ days overdue
Content/posting stops until paid

Common Social Media Invoicing Mistakes to Avoid

Vague Scope Definition: Always specify platforms, post frequency, content types, and engagement hours clearly.
Mixing Ad Spend with Fees: Keep advertising budgets completely separate from your management fees.
Not Billing for Extras: Track and invoice out-of-scope requests like extra posts or last-minute changes.
Unlimited Revisions: Specify revision limits. Endless changes eat into your profitability.
Invoicing After the Fact: Invoice monthly in advance for retainers, not after work is done.
No Performance Documentation: Track and report metrics. This proves your value and justifies your rates.
Missing Platform Details: Break down deliverables by platform so clients understand what they're paying for.
Poor Scope Creep Management: When clients ask for more, document it and send a change order.
Not Requiring Timely Approvals: Build approval deadlines into contracts. Delays cost you time.
Weak Payment Enforcement: Don't continue posting for non-paying clients. Pause work until paid.