What’s inside
- 01 Formation and compliancePlus FTC disclosure, review and CAN-SPAM rules written as a client-work checklist.
- 02 Financial workbookRetainer pricing from hours per deliverable; client profitability and capacity per month.
- 03 Service menuManagement tiers, content packages, ads management and local search, with what each includes.
- 04 Client onboardingAccess checklist using shared logins and a password manager, brand questionnaire, goals.
- 05 Production checklistsContent calendar, approval workflow, posting and comment moderation.
- 06 ProceduresDisclosure check, crisis and negative-comment response, account security, offboarding and access removal.
- 07 Customer documentsRetainer agreement outline, scope of work, change requests, monthly report template, invoice.
- 08 Launch setupYour own Google profile and portfolio, discovery call script, proposal follow-ups.
- 09 First hire or contractorClassification, contractor agreement points, client confidentiality.
- 10 90-day trackerRetainers, churn, hours per client and effective hourly rate.
What this business requires
- Client posts must follow the FTC Endorsement Guides: paid or gifted endorsements need a clear disclosure.
- No fake or bought reviews: the FTC's 2024 rule carries civil penalties per violation.
- Marketing email for clients must follow CAN-SPAM: an opt-out and a physical address in every message.
- Professional liability (errors and omissions) insurance: about $59 a month at the median (Insureon).
Typical insurance
- General liability$30 a month
- Professional liability (E&O)$59 a month
- Cyber$74 a month
Median premiums for this profession from Insureon customer data. Yours depend on your state, limits and history.
Built for your area
Business license, home-occupation rules, whether your state taxes digital or advertising services, and workers' comp. Your Groundwork adviser checks these against official sources and sends your State Page the same business day.
The numbers
Startup cost: under $2,000 for a social media consulting start (Entrepreneur). Priced monthly retainers by deliverable, plus project fees. About 46.3% of new businesses in this sector are still open after five years (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What it doesn’t do
The kit doesn’t judge your specific idea, market or competitors. That is the Groundwork Business Blueprint, and your kit price counts toward a Blueprint ordered within 30 days.
Secure checkout by Stripe. After payment you’ll tell us your city and state, and your Groundwork adviser emails your kit and completed State Page the same business day. General information, not legal, tax or insurance advice; agreements are starting drafts to review with an attorney in your state.
