Social Media · Cork
Social that builds an audience and converts.
Most social media is built around vanity metrics because they are easier to grow than real ones. I do it differently. Organic content, paid amplification, LinkedIn for B2B, and UGC partnerships when the maths supports them.
Four levers, used together when they make sense. Used separately when they do not. Always tied to revenue, not ego.
Realistic timeline
How long it actually takes.
Social is the longest game of the three pillars. Need enquiries this week, run Google Ads instead. Building an audience that compounds, this is where you invest.
Social media marketing timeline
Weeks 1-2
Foundation
Voice, strategy, content pillars locked. First posts live. Ad accounts configured.
ROI InvestingMonth 1
Rhythm
Posting cadence settled. Audience starts engaging. Early ad tests running.
ROI Returns startingMonths 2-3
Patterns emerge
We know what content works and what does not. Paid ads scaled on winning formats.
ROI ProfitableMonth 6
Compounding
Predictable audience growth, regular leads from social, UGC partnerships layered in.
ROI Scaling upMonth 12+
Established channel
Social is doing the work of three salespeople for a fraction of the cost.
ROI CompoundingThe four levers
What "social" actually means here.
Social is not just posting. It is four distinct disciplines that work best when run by the same person. Pick one to start, or run all four. Most clients run two.
Organic social management
Strategy, content calendar, captions, hashtags, posting, community management. Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok where the audience is. The foundation that paid ads amplify.
Best for: Visual businesses, professional services, anyone wanting a long-term branded presence.
Meta ads (Facebook + Instagram)
Paid amplification on the platforms with the deepest targeting. Lead generation campaigns, retargeting, lookalike audiences, conversion-optimised ad sets. Tested ad creatives, not boosted posts.
Best for: Consumer products, services with visual appeal, anyone running offers or promotions.
LinkedIn ads
B2B paid acquisition done properly. Sponsored content, message ads, conversation ads targeted by job title, seniority, company size, or industry. Higher cost per click than Meta, far higher value per lead for B2B.
Best for: B2B services, professional B2C, anyone selling to decision-makers in defined industries.
UGC partnerships
Sourcing, briefing, and managing user-generated content partnerships with creators. Short-form video at a fraction of agency production cost. Content that fuels both organic and paid feeds.
Best for: Consumer brands, hospitality, retail, anyone whose audience trusts peers more than brands.
Platforms
Which platforms I run, and which I will not.
For B2B services, professional B2C, and personal-brand work. The single most valuable platform for most Cork service businesses.
For visual businesses. Hospitality, retail, ecommerce, fitness, beauty. Reels matter more than the grid in 2026.
Not what it was. But for Cork-specific local businesses and older audiences, still worth being on. Lower effort, higher reach in groups.
TikTok (selective)
If your audience is on TikTok and you can shoot vertical video weekly, yes. If not, no. I will not pretend to run TikTok for a business that has no business being on TikTok.
What I will not run.
X (Twitter) is no longer a serious commercial platform for most small businesses in Ireland. Threads is too quiet. Pinterest is a specialist play for specific industries (interiors, weddings, food) and I will refer you to someone better if that is your only fit. Community management at scale (responding to every DM in real time) is outside my scope. I check and respond once a day during business hours.
Pricing
What it costs.
Per-week fees, billed every 4 weeks. Choose the package that fits. Mix and match the levers. Most clients start with one or two and add more once results are clear.
Organic only
From €30
Per week
What's included
- →One platform
- →3 to 5 posts per week
- →Strategy and voice guide
- →Monthly reporting
Best for
Getting started. Single audience.
Organic + paid
From €75
Per week
What's included
- →Two platforms organic
- →Meta OR LinkedIn ad management
- →Weekly content calendar
- →Monthly reporting
Best for
Most Cork SMEs. The sweet spot.
Full social
From €130
Per week
What's included
- →All four levers
- →Organic + Meta + LinkedIn ads
- →UGC partnership management
- →Monthly reporting
Best for
Serious commitment to social as a channel.
UGC and ad spend.
UGC partnerships run one of two ways. Either the creator gets paid a flat fee per piece of content (or a monthly retainer for ongoing work), or they get your product or service gifted to them and take a commission on sales they bring in. Which model makes sense depends on your margin, the creator's audience, and whether you want reach or attributable sales.
Creator fees are billed alongside the management fee, passed through at cost. Typical creator fees run €80 to €250 per piece of content depending on creator size and usage rights. Commission-only deals cost nothing upfront.
Meta and LinkedIn ad spend is separate, paid directly to the platforms. Minimum recommended ad spend: €500/month on Meta, €1,000/month on LinkedIn. Money-back: 90 days for the paid social work, against agreed growth metrics from a locked baseline.
FAQ
Things people ask.
What is a UGC partnership and why would I want one?
UGC (user-generated content) partnerships are arrangements with small creators to make short-form video content for your brand. Lower cost than traditional ad production, more authentic feel, can be used in both organic feeds and paid ads. For a typical Cork SME, a €200 piece of UGC will often outperform a €2,000 professionally shot video on Meta ads.
Flat fee or commission model for UGC?
Both work. Flat fee gives you certainty on cost and predictable content output. Commission gives the creator skin in the game and costs you nothing upfront, but works best when you have a product with strong margins and clear tracking. I will recommend the right model for your situation.
Do you handle the LinkedIn ad creative as well as the strategy?
Yes. Ad copy, targeting setup, audience building, creative direction (still images and short video), and ongoing optimisation. For video creative beyond simple talking-head shots, you would need to provide footage or commission separately.
How much should I budget for Meta ads on top of your fee?
Minimum €500/month to get meaningful data. €1,000 to €2,000/month for most growing businesses. €3,000+/month if you are running multiple campaigns or scaling fast. Below €500 the data is too thin to optimise from properly.
How quickly will I see follower growth?
Slower than most people expect, especially on Instagram and LinkedIn. The first 30 days are foundation work. Real audience growth from month two. Meaningful change by month three. If you are looking to go viral in week one, I am the wrong fit. Anyone promising that is either lying or running TikTok for a 17-year-old.
Do you create photos and videos yourself?
I write captions, source or edit photos you provide, and design simple graphics. Original video and professional photography is either you, or commissioned separately, or UGC partnerships (above). I can recommend videographers and creators if needed.
Can I add Google Ads to this?
Yes. Plenty of clients run search and social together. Real efficiencies to one person managing both. Combined retainers get a 10% discount.
Two ways to start.
Option 1. Book a 20-min call.
We talk. I learn about your business. You learn about how I work. No pitch deck, no pressure. If it is not a fit, I will tell you and point you at someone who is.
Book a callOption 2. Get the free audit.
Tell me your website and your industry. I spend an hour on it and come back with a report telling you exactly where you are leaking enquiries online. No call required. No follow-up unless you want one.
Get the free report