Free Social Media Management SOW Template

For social media managers handling content creation, scheduling, and community management.

Typical fee: $1,500 – $5,000/monthTimeline: 3-month minimum engagementSections: 9
Social MediaContent CreationInstagramLinkedInCommunity

When to use this template

Social media management is one of the most scope-creep-prone service types. Clients add platforms, request additional posts, ask for ad management, and expect 24/7 responses. This template draws clear lines on platforms, post counts, response times, and what community management actually includes.

1

Project Overview

Sets the context, parties, and purpose. This is the first thing a client reads and the last thing they remember.

This Statement of Work governs the social media management services provided by [Agency Name] ("Agency") to [Client Name] ("Client"). The Agency will create, schedule, and publish content across the agreed platforms, manage community interactions during agreed business hours, and provide monthly performance reporting. This SOW defines exact deliverable counts, response time commitments, and scope boundaries. All work outside this scope requires a signed Change Order.

2

Scope of Work

The complete list of what you will deliver. If it is not listed here, you are not obligated to do it.

  • Content strategy session at the start of each month to align on themes, priorities, and upcoming campaigns
  • Creation and scheduling of [X] posts per month across [Platforms: Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook / TikTok]
  • Content formats: [specify: static graphics, carousels, short-form video, stories, etc.]
  • Copywriting for all captions, including hashtag research and CTA optimisation
  • Branded graphic design for all static content using approved brand assets
  • Content calendar shared with Client for approval five (5) business days before scheduled publication
  • Community management: responding to comments and DMs on agreed platforms within [X] business hours (business hours: Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm [timezone])
  • Monthly analytics report: reach, impressions, engagement rate, follower growth, and top-performing content
  • Monthly performance call (up to 30 minutes) to review results and plan the following month
3

Out of Scope

Equally important as scope. Explicitly naming exclusions kills the "I thought that was included" conversation.

  • Paid social media advertising or boosted posts (use Digital Marketing template)
  • Content creation for platforms not listed above
  • Photography or videography production — Client supplies raw media assets
  • Crisis communications, PR, or reputation management
  • Influencer research, outreach, or management
  • Community management outside agreed business hours or response time windows
  • Responding to reviews on Google, Yelp, Trustpilot, or other review platforms
  • Blog posts, email newsletters, or any content not published on the agreed platforms
  • Posts beyond the agreed monthly count — additional posts are Change Orders
  • Any account management or content creation not explicitly listed above
4

Timeline & Milestones

Commitments on both sides. Milestones keep projects moving and give you a paper trail when clients cause delays.

  1. Week 1Account access, brand asset handoff, and onboarding call
  2. Day 5Month 1 content calendar delivered for approval
  3. Day 8Content calendar approved by Client
  4. Week 2First posts scheduled and live
  5. End of Month 1Month 1 report and performance call
  6. MonthlyOngoing: monthly content calendar, reporting, and call
5

Revision Policy

The most violated clause in any SOW. Define exactly what a revision is, how many are included, and what extra costs.

The content calendar is shared for approval five (5) business days before the first scheduled post. Client may request changes to up to 20% of scheduled content within two (2) business days of receiving the calendar. Requests to change approved content after this window, or changes to more than 20% of the calendar, are Change Orders. Each piece of content includes one (1) round of copy revisions and one (1) round of design revisions.

6

Payment Terms

Protect your cash flow. Late payment clauses and upfront deposits are non-negotiable for sustainable agencies.

Monthly retainer: $[Amount]/month, invoiced on the 1st of each month and payable within ten (10) business days. Minimum engagement: [X] months. Early termination requires thirty (30) days' written notice. Content scheduled for the current month remains the Client's to publish upon termination. No refunds are issued for partial months. Overdue invoices suspend all services including scheduled content until the balance is cleared.

7

Change Order Policy

The scope creep firewall. Every out-of-scope request routes through here — no exceptions.

Additional posts, new platforms, paid media management, photography, or any other work not listed in this SOW requires a written Change Order. Urgent requests — content needed within 24 hours — include a 25% rush surcharge. The Agency will not publish out-of-scope content without a signed Change Order.

8

Assumptions & Dependencies

Shift responsibility for inputs to the client. If they don't deliver, the timeline moves.

  • Client will provide admin access to all agreed social media accounts within five (5) business days of signing
  • Client will supply brand assets: logo files, brand colours, fonts, and a library of approved images/videos
  • A single Client contact will review and approve content calendars — multiple conflicting approvers are not included in this scope
  • Client will provide briefings for campaign-specific content (product launches, events, promotions) at least ten (10) business days before the required publish date
  • The Agency is not responsible for platform algorithm changes, organic reach fluctuations, or platform outages
  • Performance benchmarks are based on industry averages and are not guaranteed outcomes
9

Acceptance Criteria

Define "done" before you start. Silence-equals-acceptance clauses prevent endless feedback loops.

Monthly deliverables are accepted when the content calendar is approved and posts are published as scheduled. Monthly reports are accepted when delivered and not disputed within five (5) business days. The engagement is complete upon expiry of the agreed term or written mutual agreement. All published content, analytics access, and account credentials remain with the Client.

Frequently asked questions

Should I include paid ads in a social media management SOW?

No — paid ads and organic social are different services with different skill sets and billing models. Use the Digital Marketing template for paid and keep this separate.

What counts as "community management"?

Define it explicitly. This template scopes it as responding to comments and DMs within business hours. Anything beyond that — crisis management, review responses, 24/7 coverage — is a change order.

How do I handle urgent content requests?

The change order policy includes a 25% rush surcharge for content needed within 24 hours. Make sure this is explicit so clients understand the cost of last-minute requests.

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Free Social Media Management Statement of Work Template — ScopeShield | ScopeShield