Social media agencies are companies that specialize in marketing services for social networking sites. These services typically include content creation and management, among others, to help clients succeed in their social media efforts.
Social media platforms present brands with prime marketing opportunities, but it can be difficult to manage a full-time business and venture into the tricky landscape of social networking sites at the same time. Fortunately, with the right social media agency, you can start building your presence online while still focusing on the key aspects of your business.
If you’re planning to venture into social media marketing, keep reading to learn about the best social media agencies in 2024, along with top-notch alternative solutions you should consider.
9+ Best Social Media Agencies in the USA
From content creation to strategy development, the best social media agencies in the USA should offer a range of services that can help you achieve your goals on social networking platforms while also providing solutions specifically tailored to those goals.
With that in mind, we ranked the agencies in the USA based on their services and industry specialization and found that the best social media agencies are:
#1. ICUC Social
ICUC Social is a social media agency known for its versatile marketing solutions and over 19 years of industry expertise. With a multilingual team available all hours of the day to support you, this agency is perfect for brands that want a more hands-on approach to their social media ventures.
Its range of services can help you manage your social media efforts beyond customer acquisition so you can foster stronger relationships with your audience and improve customer retention rates.
According to the agency’s mission statement, its goal is to “remind the world there are humans behind brands online,” which is one of the most important things a business should achieve.
Research by Fritz et al. (2017) in the European Journal of Marketing found that brand authenticity significantly affects brand relationship quality and may even influence a consumer’s behavioral intentions. By working with an agency that shares the goal of humanizing your brand, you can achieve success online.
Main services | Industries |
|---|---|
| Community management | CPG and retail |
| Social media strategy | Gaming |
| Content moderation | Entertainment |
| Social media monitoring | Financial services |
| Digital customer care | Pharma |
| Technology | |
| Hospitality and tourism | |
| Energy | |
| Automotive | |
| Food and beverage |
#2. We Are Social
While its main offices are located in New York City and Los Angeles, We Are Social is a global social media agency with over 19 offices around the world. The agency is renowned for its innovative marketing solutions that are based on a thorough understanding of online culture, ensuring that your strategies are always timely and relevant.
With an international team, We Are Social excels at planning social media campaigns that resonate with audiences from different communities and cultures, helping your brand reach a much wider market.
We Are Social is fully equipped to handle every part of your social media strategy, from creating high-quality content to managing its more technical aspects, making it a great choice for both start-ups and established brands.
| Main services | Industries |
|---|---|
| Social media research | Gaming |
| Social media strategy | Sports |
| Brand planning | E-commerce |
| Creative campaign and concept development | Technology |
| Influencer marketing | Entertainment |
| Social media design and content creation | Fashion |
| Social media management and planning |
#3. The Social Shepherd
The Social Shepherd is a social media marketing agency that specializes in data-driven, targeted campaigns designed to deliver results and maximize return on investment (ROI). In addition to leveraging data and analytics for strategies, the agency also boasts excellent creative solutions to help you craft content with maximum impact.
Because of its approach to social media marketing, this agency is perfect for businesses that are looking to grow their brands exponentially. Regardless of your current goals, the aptly named The Social Shepherd can guide your business to social media success.
| Main services | Industries |
|---|---|
| Platform-specific social media strategies | Fashion |
| Social media management | Consumer goods |
| Community management | Hospitality |
| Social-first content creation | Furniture and home improvement |
| Social listening | Technology |
| Analytics and performance tracking | |
| Paid social media and search campaigns | |
| Influencer marketing | |
| Social media campaigns |
#4. Thrive Agency
Staying true to its name, Thrive Agency is a full-service digital marketing agency that can help your business thrive. Having been in the industry since 2005, the agency has several certifications and awards under its belt, and its expertise in all matters of online marketing is unquestionable.
Thrive Agency isn’t focused solely on social media, though; they specialize in integrating a client’s existing online presence with social networking platforms to gain an advantage over the competition.
This approach is ideal for both small businesses and enterprises looking to improve their website traffic and sales. According to Retail Dive’s data, 67% of consumers research a product online before actually making a purchase. By having a cohesive presence on both search results and social media, you greatly increase your chances of being seen by your target audience.
| Main services | Industries |
|---|---|
| Social media marketing | E-commerce |
| Content marketing | Legal |
| Email marketing | Plumbing |
| Online reputation management | Real estate |
| Search engine optimization | |
| Web design and development |
#5. Ignite Social Media
Ignite Social Media, established in 2007, is “the original” social media agency, the first of its kind in the United States. Since its inception, Ignite has earned the trust of the world’s largest and best-known brands, thanks to the company’s commitment to staying at the forefront of social media marketing with an “always learning” mindset.
Ignite boasts several seasoned teams dedicated to strategy, community management, content production, paid social media, influencer marketing, analytics, and more. The company uses a core team approach to ensure that its clients get expert support in all the areas that make social media work well for brands. This holistic approach has solidified Ignite’s position as a trusted leader and innovator in the field.
| Main services | Industries |
|---|---|
| Social strategy development | Consumer goods |
| Community management | Automotive |
| Influencer marketing | Healthcare & pharmaceuticals |
| Social listening | Technology |
| Reporting & analytics | Retail |
| Crisis management | Financial Services |
#6. LYFE Marketing
LYFE Marketing is renowned for its versatile marketing solutions and focus on small businesses. Aside from its stellar customer service, LYFE Marketing also distinguishes itself from other social media agencies with next-level content creation services, ensuring that all your content on social media aligns with your branding.
As a social media agency for small businesses, LYFE Marketing understands the unique needs and challenges of these types of businesses, allowing it to provide more effective and tailored solutions.
This agency also highlights its short-form video services on its website. Short-form video is currently the best content format for engagement on social media, which means working with an agency that specializes in this content type will ensure the success of your video marketing efforts.
| Main services | Industries |
|---|---|
| Social media marketing | E-commerce |
| Social media advertising | Retail |
| Email marketing | Health and wellness |
| Short video management and advertising | Real estate |
#7. Firebelly
Firebelly is a global social media agency with teams in different locations worldwide. While its industry specialization is primarily food and beverage, Firebelly also has a successful track record in other industries, such as technology and education.
Unlike some social media agencies on this list that cover different aspects of online marketing, Firebelly is wholly focused on social media and aims to help its clients foster meaningful connections with their audience.
With its comprehensive suite of services and deep knowledge of social media marketing, Firebelly’s expertise is sure to benefit businesses in all stages of their social networking journey.
| Main services | Industries |
|---|---|
| Content creation and strategy | Food and beverage |
| Social media management and advertising | Retail |
| Influencer marketing | Health and wellness |
| User-generated content marketing | Technology |
| Entertainment | |
| Education |
#8. Sociallyin
One of the leading social media agencies, Sociallyin’s approach to social media lies in collaboration and curiosity. This strategy has helped them provide quality services and lead clients to success despite the constant changes and varying trends on social media.
Sociallyin specializes in content production and social media strategy, offering tailored solutions to boost brand visibility and engagement. Its wide range of services makes it a great fit for small businesses that want to improve their online presence and bigger brands looking to drive more sales.
| Main services | Industries |
|---|---|
| Social media strategy and management | Sports |
| Community management and listening | Fashion |
| Social media content production | Food and beverage |
| Paid social media advertising | Construction |
| Influencer marketing | Technology |
#9. Ignite Visibility
Ignite Visibility is a premier digital marketing agency renowned for its online expertise. While the company’s social networking solutions are only a part of its full suite of services, its comprehensive approach to social media makes it one of the most effective social media agencies for bigger brands and organizations.
With one company handling every aspect of your online marketing efforts, you can present a more consistent brand image online.
According to a paper by Müller (2008) in the International Journal of Internet Marketing and Advertising, consistency in branding on a website can positively affect the brand attitude of consumers. And, while the research was limited to external websites alone, we can safely assume that the same principles apply to a brand’s image on social media sites as well.
| Main services | Industries |
|---|---|
| Social media marketing and management | Healthcare |
| Digital PR | E-commerce |
| Search engine optimization | Education |
| Inbound marketing | Technology |
| Conversion rate optimization | Hospitality |
#10. Social Media 55
With platform-specific marketing solutions, Social Media 55 is one of the top social media agencies for influencers. Social media platforms will have different formulas for success, and keeping track of everything from image sizes to trending topics while also managing your accounts can be difficult.
Social Media 55 stands out for its ability to provide highly customized services to clients, ensuring that every campaign fits perfectly with your branding and goals on social media. It also excels at connecting brands with their audiences through targeted campaigns and audience segmentation, helping you boost brand awareness and drive engagement.
| Main services | Industries |
|---|---|
| Social media management and advertising | Real estate |
| Influencer marketing | Healthcare |
| Platform-specific marketing (Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, LinkedIn) | Hospitality |
| Automotive | |
| Fashion | |
| E-commerce | |
| Non-profit |
#11. Umbrella
Umbrella is a dynamic digital agency focused on creating stunning visual content and digital marketing strategies that elevate your brands on social media.
In addition to its expertise in content creation, the agency boasts a thorough understanding of influencer marketing and can craft marketing campaigns that allow you to leverage collaborations for maximum engagement and impact.
With its unique approach to social media marketing, Umbrella is another excellent social media agency for influencers who are looking to build a community around their branding.
| Main services | Industries |
|---|---|
| Brand development | Fashion |
| Content production | Lifestyle |
| Social media marketing | Beauty |
| Digital marketing | Hospitality |
| Influencer marketing | Entertainment |
| Collaborations | |
| Analytics and reporting |
4 Crucial Benefits of Hiring Social Media Agencies
Whether you are a small business just starting out or an established organization, there are several benefits you can get from working with social media agencies for your online marketing efforts, such as:
#1. Expert Insights
Casual social media use significantly differs from social media marketing, which is why hiring social media agencies that are experts on this subject matter is crucial for your success.
Aside from their professional services, agencies have invaluable experience and years of trial and error in finding what works best for different industries, ensuring that your strategies are fully optimized.
#2. Access to Tools and Resources
From in-depth analytics platforms to social listening tools, social media agencies have access to advanced resources that can help you achieve your brand goals. These tools can help you create more targeted content, measure social media KPIs, and schedule posts to boost your discoverability online.
Rather than subscribing to each of these software solutions and then taking the time to learn how to use each one individually, you can simply let a social media agency do all the heavy lifting for you.
#3. Time Savings and Efficiency
Regardless of whether you are managing multiple social media accounts or just focusing on one platform, working with social media agencies can help you save time and improve efficiency.
From creating content to planning posting schedules, there are several tasks you need to accomplish to succeed on social media. By delegating these responsibilities to an agency, you can ensure consistency in the quality of your content and posting times without detracting from the core operations of your business.
#4. Better Chances of Success
Hiring a social media agency will help you stay focused on your objectives, significantly improving your chances of success. Many businesses venture into social media without a clear plan and get easily swayed by the current social media trends and other gimmicks, which can lead to disaster.
Social media agencies, on the other hand, outline your strategy clearly and ensure that every piece of content published or interaction made online is done to help your objectives. Plus, they frequently monitor your performance online and adjust your campaign in real time to ensure that it is continuously optimized.
How to Choose the Right Social Media Agency for You in 4 Steps
To choose the right social media agency, you need to identify your objectives, consider your budget, and do research and head-to-head comparisons.
The social media agency you choose can make or break your venture into social networking platforms, so it’s important to be selective.
Rather than simply hiring the company that everyone else is working with, here are four steps you can follow to ensure that you are choosing the right agency for your business:
#1. Identify Your Objectives
Identifying your objectives is the first step to finding the right social media agency. By knowing what you want to achieve on social media, you can find an agency that specializes in that specific service.
The common goals that businesses strive for include:
- Improving brand awareness
- Generating leads
- Driving conversions
- Boosting engagement
Remember, not all agencies offer the same services or will have the same level of expertise, so define your objectives first, and then you’ll be able to find a social media agency that can effectively meet your needs and help you achieve your desired goals.
#2. Conduct Thorough Research
After defining your business goals, you can start researching potential social media agencies. If you don’t have a list of agencies yet, you can review our ranking above for some ideas or create your own ranking.
But before adding an agency to the list, be sure to check all their available information online first. This means that you shouldn’t be limiting your research to search results or their Google Business Profile alone.
To gain a clearer understanding of what each social media agency can offer, here are some additional sites you can check out:
- Social media platforms. Any reputable agency advertising its expertise on social media should have a considerable presence on these platforms as well. During your research, you can check the agency’s reviews, their level of activity on the platform, the actual quality of their content, and their engagement rates, among other things.
- External review websites. Most social media agencies will have client testimonials on their website. However, these can easily be faked. To gain a better understanding of the quality of their services, it’s best to turn to an external site like Yelp or Better Business Bureau.
- LinkedIn pages. Lastly, you can check the agency’s LinkedIn company page to learn more about its branding, employees, and background. Seeing how a social media agency presents itself on a professional platform like LinkedIn can help you determine whether they are the right fit for your business.
#3. Compare Potential Agencies
The next step is to compare potential agencies based on their services and expertise on social media. One way to do this is by reviewing their case studies. These are examples of their work with previous clients and can give you a glimpse into what they can offer.
Aside from their portfolio, it’s also important to know if an agency outsources any of their work. While most of them likely do, this can be a deal-breaker for some brands that prefer working with only one team.
Lastly, make sure your chosen social media agency can handle all the tasks you need for your strategy. Some agencies focus on one area, like content creation alone, while others offer more comprehensive solutions encompassing all aspects of your social media strategy.
#4. Consider Your Budget
Once you have a list of promising agencies, you can narrow your options further by considering your budget and available resources. Pricing for social media agencies can largely vary, and these are often only available upon request.
While you may be tempted to hire an agency with the most affordable pricing options, especially if you are just starting out, remember that you get what you pay for. It’s much better to invest in a social media agency that can help you achieve the desired results rather than compromise on quality and end up with ineffective strategies.
3 Excellent Alternatives to Social Media Agencies
While social media agencies definitely bring a lot to the table, they are not a necessity, and there are other alternatives you can try before hiring a team to do the work for you.
Agencies can be quite expensive and often require a long-term commitment, which means they may not be the best option for businesses that lack the resources or just want to explore their options.
In that case, here are three superb alternatives to consider:
#1. Publer
Publer is a complete social media scheduling tool that can automate a lot of the processes involved in social media management.
Our platform comes with several features to match the capabilities of a social media agency, such as:
- AI Assist tool for content creation
- VistaCreate and Canva integrations for visual content
- Analytics tool for monitoring social media performance
- Auto-scheduling to streamline content posting
- Competitor analysis to keep track of the competition
- Explore tab to stay updated on the latest industry news and trends
You can even collaborate with your team on a dedicated workspace and connect accounts from over 12 different social networking platforms and websites to make it easier to coordinate your social media efforts.
#2. WordPress
According to data from W3Techs, WordPress is used by over 43.3% of all websites online, and there’s a good reason to use it for your business as well. With its customizable features and a wide variety of plugins, even those who aren’t tech-savvy will be able to create an SEO-optimized website on WordPress with ease.
While being on social networking sites can help with brand awareness, a website will allow you to capitalize on this to generate leads and conversions. You can even connect WordPress to Publer to ensure a more cohesive brand image online.
#3. Google Analytics
Publer already has a comprehensive analytics feature that can help you monitor some WordPress metrics, but you can supplement this with Google Analytics for a more in-depth view of your current performance.
Google Analytics can track clicks, impressions, and the source of website traffic so you can adjust your strategy accordingly and allocate your resources more effectively.
Key Takeaways
- Some of the best social media agencies in the USA to work with are ICUC Social for its extensive experience, We Are Social for its global expertise, and The Social Shepherd for its results-driven approach.
- When you hire a social media agency, you can gain access to expert insights and tools, enjoy great time savings and efficiency, and have a better chance of success on social media.
- When choosing a social media agency for your business, it’s important to first define your objectives, conduct thorough research, compare potential agencies, and consider your budget.
- If social media agencies don’t fit with your budget or goals, you can manage your social media strategy on your own by leveraging tools like Publer, WordPress, and Google Analytics.
Ervin Kalemi
