Running a small business is no small feat—you’re juggling sales, customer service, finances, and oh yeah… marketing. It’s no wonder many business owners feel overwhelmed when it comes to promoting their businesses online. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to do it all yourself. There are different types of marketing pros out there to help, but knowing who does what—and how much they cost—can save you time, money, and headaches.

Let’s break it down in simple terms.

Social Media Manager

Think of a Social Media Manager as the person steering the ship on your Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and beyond. They:

Create a content strategy (what to post and when)
Write captions and engage with your audience
Track analytics to see what’s working
Keep your social media consistent and professional

Cost: $$ (Mid-range)
Worth it? If you want consistent posting, someone to handle engagement, and professional content without you stressing over it—yes, it’s worth the investment.

Content Creator

A Content Creator is all about the visuals and words that fill your website, blog, or social media. They:

Write blog posts or articles
Take photos and videos
Design eye-catching graphics
Create content that educates or entertains your audience

Cost: $–$$ (Lower to mid-range, depending on skill)
Worth it? If you can handle posting but struggle to create good-looking content or videos, this is money well spent.

Marketing Company

Hiring a marketing company is like getting the whole team: social media pros, ad managers, SEO experts, graphic designers, and sometimes even copywriters—all in one package. They:

Build and run ad campaigns
Manage your entire online presence
Handle branding and design
Offer strategic marketing plans for growth

Cost: $$$ (Higher)
Worth it? If you want a hands-off approach and have the budget, a marketing company can take care of everything for you. Perfect for growing businesses ready to scale.

Graphic Designer

A Graphic Designer makes things look amazing. They:

Design your logo, branding, and marketing materials
Create social media templates
Make your website and print materials visually appealing

Cost: $–$$ (Lower to mid-range; project-based pricing is common)
Worth it? Yes—especially for logos, branding, and templates you can reuse. A one-time investment in good design goes a long way.

SEO Specialist

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization (helping people find you on Google). They:

Optimize your website so it shows up in search results
Research keywords your customers are searching for
Help drive more organic traffic to your site

Cost: $$–$$$ (Mid to higher range)
Worth it? Only if your business relies on people finding you through Google searches—like local services or e-commerce.

Email Marketing Specialist

Emails are not dead! These specialists:

Write and design email campaigns
Build your email list
Help you stay connected with customers through newsletters and promotions

Cost: $–$$ (Lower to mid-range)
Worth it? If you have an email list (or want to build one) and want to stay top-of-mind with customers, this can be a very affordable way to get repeat business.

How to Decide Where to Spend Your Money

Small budgets: Start with a Content Creator or Graphic Designer for good visuals and consistent branding.

Medium budgets: Add a Social Media Manager to take daily posting and engagement off your plate.

Bigger budgets: Consider an SEO Specialist or full Marketing Company for long-term growth and strategy.

The right fit depends on your goals, budget, and how hands-off you want to be and not all companies fit into just one of these categories. Some businesses, like my own, offer multiple marketing options from social media management to graphic design and SEO assistance. The most important part is understanding which marketing you need for your business and finding the right person or company for you.

Who Should You Hire? A Simple Guide to Marketing Help for Small Businesses