DIY social media vs done-for-you: which is right for you?
An honest comparison for small business owners deciding whether to post themselves or pay someone to do it. Last updated October 2026.
Should I do my own social media or pay someone?
Doing it yourself costs the least in money but the most in time: planning, designing, writing and posting usually takes a few hours every week, and it is the first thing to slip when you are busy. A done-for-you service like Socially Active costs £150 to £350 + VAT a month, and a team designs, writes and publishes branded posts for you to approve. DIY suits owners who enjoy it and have the time. Done-for-you suits owners who want to look consistently active without thinking about it.
Side by side
| Do it yourself | Done-for-you (Socially Active) | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | Free tools, or a paid scheduler | £150 to £350 + VAT |
| Your time | A few hours a week | A few minutes a month to approve |
| Design | Templates you adapt yourself | Designed to your brand by our team |
| Consistency | Depends on how busy you are | Every week, on schedule |
| Platforms | Whatever you have time for | Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Google, every post |
| Control | Total | You approve every post |
When each makes sense.
Do it yourself if…
- You enjoy creating content and have a few hours a week
- You want to show up personally on video, every day
- Your budget is very tight and your time is free
Choose done-for-you if…
- Your feed has gone quiet because you are busy
- You want a professional, branded look every time
- You would rather spend your time on customers
The middle ground: some owners do both. We keep a steady base of branded posts going, and they add their own stories and videos when they can. If LinkedIn is your main channel, our sister product Compelite Studio helps you write your own posts faster.
Socially Active plans. All prices + VAT.
Active
One post a week. The minimum to look open for business.
- 1 branded post a week
- 4 placements a week across 4 platforms
- Written for your business, designed to your brand
- You approve everything first
- Monthly performance summary
Today: £300 + VAT (set-up + first month). Then £150 + VAT a month.
Active Plus
Two posts a week. Enough that people notice you’re busy.
- 2 branded posts a week
- 8 placements a week across 4 platforms
- Written for your business, designed to your brand
- You approve everything first
- Monthly performance summary
Today: £500 + VAT (set-up + first month). Then £250 + VAT a month.
Always On
Three posts a week. Never a quiet week on your feed.
- 3 branded posts a week
- 12 placements a week across 4 platforms
- Written for your business, designed to your brand
- You approve everything first
- Monthly performance summary
Today: £700 + VAT (set-up + first month). Then £350 + VAT a month.
The one-off set-up fee is the same as one month. It covers building your brand kit, tidying your profiles, setting up your upload link and scheduling, and planning your first month. 3-month minimum, then rolling monthly with 30 days’ notice. All prices + VAT.
DIY or done-for-you: your questions.
Is it worth paying someone to do my social media?
If your feed has gone quiet, usually yes. Customers check you out online before they get in touch, and an inactive profile can make a busy business look closed. For £150 + VAT a month, Socially Active keeps you posting every week on four platforms.
What free tools can I use to do it myself?
Canva for design, Meta Business Suite for scheduling Facebook and Instagram posts, and your Google Business Profile, which is free and matters most for local search.
How long does it take to do your own social media?
For a small business posting a few times a week, planning, designing, writing and scheduling typically takes a few hours a week, and more when you are starting from scratch.
Can I switch from DIY to done-for-you later?
Yes. You keep full ownership of your accounts and we pick up from wherever you are. Plans have a 3-month minimum, then roll monthly.
More guides: all guides · cost guide · by industry · areas we cover
Get your evenings back.
Pick a plan and sign up online in about ten minutes. Your first posts usually go live within two weeks.
Questions first? That’s fine.
Book a 15-minute call, or email [email protected].