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How much does social media marketing cost in India?

5 min read

Social media management in India typically costs about twenty thousand to a lakh rupees a month, depending on how many platforms you run, how much content you need, and whether video and paid social are included. Content-heavy or video-led plans sit at the higher end, and any paid ad budget is separate from the management fee.

When a brand asks us this, the number they have in their head is usually based on a friend paying ten thousand a month for a few posts. That exists, and so does a lakh-a-month video-led programme. The difference is not markup, it is how much actually gets made.

What the fee covers

A social retainer usually covers strategy, content creation, posting, community management and reporting. The price moves with how many platforms you run and how much original content, especially video, you need each month.

Content is the cost driver

Static posts are cheap to produce. Reels, shoots and UGC are not, because they take real production effort, and they are also what performs now. A plan that leans on video will cost more, and usually earn more.

Paid is a separate line

Managing organic social is different from running paid social ads. If you want boosted posts or full Meta campaigns, the ad budget and the work to manage it are costed separately. See our social media and AI video work.

Key takeaways

India retainers run roughly twenty thousand to a lakh a month
Video and UGC-heavy plans cost more to produce
Organic management and paid ad budget are separate
Price tracks platforms, content volume and production

What the fee covers

What a social retainer actually pays for.

The monthly fee is not just posting. Here is everything it covers.

Strategy

A plan tied to business goals.

Content creation

Reels, UGC and posts made in-house.

Posting & community

Publishing and replying, consistently.

Paid boost

Budget behind the best content.

Reporting

Results in plain language.

Frequently asked questions

Does the fee include ad spend?

No. Management fees cover the work. Any paid boosting or ad campaigns use a separate ad budget you set.

Why is video more expensive than posts?

Reels, UGC and product films take shooting and editing effort that static posts do not. They also tend to perform better, which is why plans lean on them.

How many posts should I get a month?

Consistency and quality beat raw volume. A realistic cadence you can sustain works better than a flood of low-effort posts.

Which platforms do I actually need?

Wherever your buyers are, usually Instagram first for consumer brands, with Facebook and others as support. Focus beats spreading thin.

Can I just do it in-house?

You can, if you have the time and a content person. Many brands outsource because consistent, high-quality content is harder to sustain than it looks.

What results should I expect from social?

Brand building and engagement over months, plus quicker action from paid social. Judge it on business results, not follower count.

Do you make the content or just schedule it?

We make it, reels, UGC and posts, not just schedule what you hand over.

Is a cheaper freelancer enough?

Sometimes, for basic posting. For content that performs and a strategy tied to results, a team usually delivers more.

How soon will I see results?

Content momentum builds over a few months; paid social can drive quicker action. We set both expectations upfront.

How do I start with Blue Ocean?

Start with a free growth audit. A senior strategist reads your numbers and tells you where the next win is, before you commit to anything.