Small business ideas
New Zealand
Wellington
Social media management

Online and digital Home-basedCreativeRepeat customers

How to start a social media management business in Wellington

Everything you need: what it costs, what you can make, what Wellington asks for, and every step from your first idea to your tenth customer.

Start this business with PressUp

Checked October 2026 In New Zealand dollars 12-minute read

The prices and costs in this guide are estimates for New Zealand: researched US figures converted to New Zealand dollars by price levels. Registration fees and taxes are New Zealand's own.

To startNZ$1.3k–2.9kLean to full setup

Per monthNZ$4.1k–16kOnce established

Profit margin75–90%After tools, insurance and payment fees

First customer2–6 weeksFrom today

DifficultyLearn it by doing, then build a portfolio

From homeYesOr you go to them

01Is it right for you?

A good fit if you love social media and making things that get noticed

Most small businesses know they should post regularly but never find the time. You plan their posts, make the graphics and videos, schedule everything and reply to comments, usually for a monthly fee.

You'll like it if

You already enjoy posting and making content
You notice what makes people stop scrolling
You can write short, punchy captions
You like working with local businesses

Think twice if

You'd rather stay off social media
You don't like being on call for comments
Changing apps and trends frustrate you
You need the same tasks every day

02What it costs

From NZ$1,330 to start

Start lean with the essentials and upgrade as customers come, or set up fully from day one.

Total to startNZ$1,330

What	Cost
LaptopFor editing, planning and reporting	NZ$960
Design and scheduling tools, three monthsFree plans to start; paid design, scheduling and email in the full figure	NZ$0
Insurance, first three monthsProfessional liability, plus general liability in the full figure	NZ$250
Registering your businessFree as a sole trader; more to form a company	NZ$0
Website and marketingWebsite, domain and business cards	NZ$120
Total	NZ$1,330

Once you're running: about NZ$160 a month, plus about 3% of what you earn. Insurance, design and scheduling tools, email and your website every month, plus card or bank fees on each payment.

03What you can make

Work out your own numbers

Move the sliders to match your plans. The chart shows a first year that builds up as word gets around.

Average price per hour NZ$55 NZ$18NZ$200

Hours a week 20 150

Monthly costs NZ$160 NZ$0NZ$640

Typical in Wellington: NZ$35–NZ$100 per hour, 10–30 hours a week once established.

Revenue a month—

Profit a month—

Pays back in—

Your first yearTotal: —

Money inCosts

Side hustleNZ$1.1k–2.5k

2–3 small clients

Full-time, on your ownNZ$4.1k–8.9k

4–8 monthly clients

With helpersNZ$9.6k–16k

Freelancers help with design and video

04Step by step

12 steps to your first customers

Each step says what it costs and how long it takes. Most owners get through them in a few weeks.

1
Build a small portfolio
2–3 weeks Free

Show what you can do before anyone pays you: run your own accounts well, or help a friend's business for a month.
- 3 sample content plans
- Before-and-after examples
- Simple results: reach and follows
2
Pick a niche
2–3 days Free

Restaurants, salons, gyms and home services all need content. Focusing on one makes your work and your pitch stronger.
- One or two kinds of business
- The platforms they use
- Check what competitors post
3
Choose your name
1 day Free

Pick a name that's easy to remember and tag. Make sure no one in Wellington has it, and that the handles are free.
- 3–5 name ideas
- Check the social handles
- Check the domain
Get name ideas for your businessFind a name
4
Register your business in Wellington
1 day to 2 weeks NZ$0–NZ$148

Most owners start as a sole trader; registering a company with the Companies Office keeps business debts separate.
- Start as a sole trader: free
- Register a company: NZ$148.05
5
Get your IRD number
1–5 days Free

Your business's tax number from Inland Revenue, for taxes and banking.
- Register with Inland Revenue
- Open a business bank account
6
Sort out GST
1–3 days Free

You must register for GST once your sales pass NZ$60,000 a year. The rate is 15%.
- Know when to register for GST
- Keep records of income and costs
- Set money aside for income tax
7
Get insured
1–2 days Quotes are free

Insurance protects you if something goes wrong on a job. Get quotes from two or three insurers.
- Professional liability
- General liability
- Cyber liability
8
Set up your tools
1–2 days NZ$960–1.9k

Free plans of design and scheduling apps cover your first clients. Upgrade as you add accounts.
- A design app
- A scheduling app
- A shared content calendar
9
Set your prices
1 day Free

Monthly packages by number of platforms and posts are easiest to sell. See the prices below.
- Starter, growth and full service
- A setup fee for new accounts
- A monthly results report
10
Put your business online
1 day Included

Your own site and accounts are your shop window. Show your packages, examples and a way to book a call.
- Website with your packages
- Portfolio examples
- Call booking
Describe your business and PressUp builds your websiteBuild your website
11
Get your first clients
2–6 weeks Free

Walk into local businesses with ideas for their accounts. A free content audit opens doors.
- Offer 10 free audits
- Ask friends who own businesses
- Ask every client for a review
Ask your customers for reviews by email with PressUpSee how
12
Bill and keep track
Ongoing Included

Invoice every month on the same day and keep each client's details in one place.
- Monthly invoices
- Client list
- Renewal reminders
Keep your customers and invoices in one place with PressUpSee how

05Licenses in WGN

What Wellington asks for

Registering, taxes, and what this business needs. Check the details with each authority: rules change.

Start as a sole trader

There's nothing to register: you tell Inland Revenue you're working for yourself.

Inland RevenueFree

Register a company

Reserving the company name and incorporating, including GST. A company also files a yearly annual return, for a fee.

Companies OfficeNZ$148.05once

IRD number

Your business's tax number, for banking and taxes.

Inland RevenueFree

06Equipment

What to buy first

Buy the "must haves" to start. Add the rest when customers pay for them.

LaptopEnough power for photo and short video edits

NZ$960–NZ$1,650Must have

Design app, a yearTemplates, brand kits, video

NZ$0–NZ$200Must have

Scheduling app, a yearFree plan to start, paid as you grow

NZ$0–NZ$310Later

Second screenPlan and edit side by side

NZ$80–NZ$190Later

07Pricing

3 packages that sell

Simple choices make it easy to say yes. Most customers pick the middle one.

Starter

NZ$690 per month · 2 platforms

12 posts a month
Graphics and captions
Monthly report

Growth

NZ$1,350 per month · 3 platforms

20 posts a month
Stories or short videos
Replies to comments and messages
Monthly report and call

Full service

NZ$2,450 per month · Up to 4 platforms

30 posts a month
Everything in Growth
Ad campaigns managed

Monthly management for a small business in WellingtonTypical: NZ$550–NZ$2,750

Average NZ$1,350

NZ$0NZ$910NZ$1.9kNZ$2.8kNZ$3.7k

08First customers

How to get your first customers

You don't need an ad budget. These work for new owners almost everywhere.

Your own accounts

Post for yourself the way you'd post for clients. It's your best proof.

Free

Walk-in audits

Visit local businesses with three quick ideas for their accounts.

Free

Partner with designers and photographers

They meet clients who need regular content and can send them your way.

Partnership

Monthly packages

Clients who see results stay for months: steady income you can plan around.

Repeat income

Reviews

Ask every happy client for a review and a short quote for your site.

With PressUp Reviews

09Your first 30 days

A month from now, you could be open

Week 1

Set up

Choose your name and handles
Register your business
Get insurance quotes

Week 2

Build proof

Make 3 sample content plans
Help one business for a month
Collect simple results

Week 3

Go live

Website with your packages
Set your prices
Set up your tools

Week 4

First clients

Offer 10 free audits
Aim for 2 monthly clients
Ask for reviews

10Questions

Common questions

Do I need a license to manage social media in Wellington?

Usually not. You'll register your business and handle your taxes. In the US, follow the FTC's rules on disclosing paid posts and on fake reviews.

Do I need a marketing degree?

No. Clients care about results and good-looking, steady posts. A small portfolio, even from your own accounts or a friend's business, matters more than a degree.

Who pays for ads?

Usually the client pays the platforms for ad spend directly, and you charge a fee for setting up and running the campaigns.

Can I start part-time?

Yes. Posts can be planned and scheduled ahead, so many managers start with two or three clients around another job.

How many clients can one person handle?

It depends on how many platforms and posts each needs. Time your work for each client for a month before you take on more.

Costs and earnings are estimates from the sources below, checked October 2026. Fees and rules change: confirm with the authorities named in this guide. This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.

Sources