WE ARE

OUR PROCESS

What Goes into Your Social Media Management with High West Studios?




OUR TEAM

A Powerhouse Team of Specialists Dedicated to Your Brand

OUR SYSTEMS

Keeping You Up and Running with High-Quality Content, On-Time

OUR PROCESS

From Discovery and Onboarding to Strategy Development and Insights

OUR TIME

The Effort to Craft Content that Truly Represents Your Brand at the Highest Level

OUR EQUIPMENT

High-Quality Equipment and Professional Gear for Excellent Content

OUR EXPERIENCE

Countless Hours of Editing, Creating, Planning, and Engaging Means Countless Hours of Learning




OUR TEAM

A Powerhouse Team of Specialists Dedicated to Your Brand

Social media management shouldn’t be boring, predictable, or just another to-do on your list. At High West Studios, we bring energy, creativity, and strategy to the table—backed by a powerhouse team of specialists dedicated to your brand every single month.

Meet your team:

Shannon McGinley

Founder & CEO, making sure every move we make aligns with your brand’s bigger picture.

Matthew Snell

Creative Director, a legend in the creative industry with 15+ years of experience and next-level photography and video skills. Formerly the Marketing Director of Obermeyer, Matt knows how to make brands stand out.

Erin McGinley

Operations Manager, keeping the wheels turning so everything stays on track—meetings, schedules, invoices, and all the nitty-gritty details.

Steph Rupp

Graphic Designer, crafting a custom, cohesive visual identity that makes your brand pop.

Tara Johnston

Social Media Manager, more than just posts, it’s about presence. From managing DMs and comments to strategizing and designing content, your social media manager ensures your brand isn’t just seen—it’s felt. With a hands-on approach to scheduling, engagement, and optimization, we help grow your audience and deepen connection with every post.

Video Editors

Tailoring your content to fit your aesthetic and brand voice, keeping things fresh, polished, and on-brand.

OUR SYSTEMS

Systems That Keep Us Running (and Why That Adds Value)

We don’t just rely on talent—we have a structured system in place to keep things running smoothly and ensure we deliver high-quality content on time. This is one of the reasons we operate at a higher level than your average freelancer.

These tools allow us to function like a well-oiled machine, giving you an experience that feels structured, professional, and stress-free. When you work with us, you're not just getting content—you’re getting a full system designed for long-term success.

Here’s a peek behind the curtain:

Assembly – For content approvals and scheduling, so nothing falls through the cracks.

Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere Pro) – To create top-tier, high-resolution content that makes your brand stand out.

Asana & Slack – Keeping our team organized and on top of deadlines.

HoneyBook – For seamless client onboarding, invoicing, and portals, ensuring a smooth workflow.

Canva – For grid aesthetics and housing branded templates for consistency.

Calendly – To make scheduling calls effortless and efficient.

OUR TIME

What Does the Time Look Like for Social Media Management with Our Team?

Full-time social media management for one client with multiple platforms takes around 50 hours per month, depending on your package.

This includes:

Strategy calls

Research & inspiration

Feed concepts & layouts

Feed design & copywriting

Story concepts & design

Daily engagement

Assembly prep & scheduling

Content filming & editing

For reference, a two-hour shoot typically requires 4–6 hours of editing to meet our quality standards. So, if you ever wonder why something takes time or want to tweak just one thing, know that it takes a dedicated team and significant effort to craft content that truly represents your brand at the highest level.

WE’VE WORKED WITH

Great Brands

like…

OUR EQUIPMENT

What Else Do We Bring to the Table?

Beyond our systems, team, and time, we invest in high-quality equipment—over $60,000 worth of professional gear, including:

Cameras

Lenses

Lights & strobes

Sound equipment

Gimbals & stabilizers

This level of investment ensures that your content isn’t just good—it’s exceptional. We don’t cut corners, and we don’t settle for mediocrity. High West Studios is built on delivering next-level content that positions your brand at the top.

OUR EXPERIENCE

Why Does Social Media Management Cost So Much?

We like our clients to understand that hiring us often costs the same or less than bringing on a full-time employee—without the added expenses of benefits, training, or managing a single person. Believe it or not, social media management is a full-time job.

We dedicate countless hours to editing, creating, planning, and engaging on your account. Unlike a single full-time employee who might get stretched thin, we are a team of seven specialists, each mastering their own area. Instead of relying on one person to juggle everything, you get a powerhouse team with the expertise, systems, and time to make your brand exceptional.

When Would Our Team Be the Right Fit for You?

If you’re looking to turn your social media into a powerhouse marketing machine, we’re the agency for you. We don’t do cookie-cutter solutions—everything we create is tailored to your brand.

We’re selective about who we work with because we invest in our clients just as much as they invest in us. If we don’t think we’re the right fit for you (or vice versa), we’ll be upfront about it. Our goal? To work with brands that are ready to go all in and see real, measurable results.

What is organic marketing vs. paid marketing?

We get it—ROI is important. But there’s a big difference between organic and paid marketing. Social media management and content creation fall under organic marketing, which means we’re building a community around your brand through intentional posts, a solid content strategy, and consistent engagement. It’s a long game, but it’s how you create real, loyal followers who actually care about what you do.

With organic marketing, we focus on metrics like reach, engagement, watch time, shares, and saves—things that build trust and visibility over time. If you’re looking for more immediate conversions, we recommend pairing organic efforts with a paid ad campaign. With paid marketing, we can:

  • Track user behavior with website pixels

  • Target custom audiences based on previous interactions

  • Focus on specific areas, demographics, or interests

  • Set clear KPIs like website visits, newsletter sign-ups, purchases, or follower growth

Organic marketing is about long-term brand building, while paid marketing gets you faster, more direct results. If you’re ready to scale, we can help you integrate both strategies for maximum impact.

OUR PROCESS

From Discovery and Onboarding to Strategy Development and Success

01 What Happens Before You Sign Up?

  1. Discovery Call – Chat with Shannon (our Founder) to get all your questions answered and see if we’re a good match.

  2. Custom Proposal – You’ll get three package options tailored to your brand’s needs.

  3. Commitment Time – Once you pick your package, you’ll sign your contract, drop a deposit, and we’re off to the races.

  4. Onboarding Timeline – Expect a four-week onboarding period to get everything dialed in before we launch.

02 What Happens Once You Sign Up?

  • Onboarding Questionnaire – We’ll collect all your brand assets (logos, photos, videos, brand guide, etc.).

  • Strategy Call – A deep dive with Shannon and Matt to go over everything and plan your first content shoot.

  • Content Shoot Scheduling – We book your shoot and start building out your social strategy.

  • Strategy Development (Weeks 1–3):

    • UVP (Unique Value Proposition) development

    • Grid aesthetic, layout and inspiration (curated by our Graphic Designer Steph)

    • Social profile optimization

    • Engagement manager onboarding

    • Video editor briefing

    • Articulation of the role of each key social channel

    • Brand tone of voice

    • Competitor analysis and problem/solution of offerings

    • Digital marketing activity recommendations

    • Hashtag, keyword, and activity analysis

    • Audience analysis and target customer description

    • Content marketing funnel design and customer activation cycle

    • Customer journey and where social plays a role

    • Social media campaign timeline

    • Platform-specific implementation

    • Breakdown of content themes into content needs based on social media channels

    • SMART goal breakdown for the next 4 quarters with target key metrics

    • Content Shoot - A curated shoot with a production timeline with our team that includes professional equipment, scripting and direction. This shoot will serve as your content for the launch of your campaign and will be the length specified in your chosen package.

    • Content Post-Production - After your shoot your content will go into the editing bay which includes, downloading all files which can take hours, clipping video files to find the best shots, selecting all photos that will make the final cut, editing all photos within our desired feed aesthetic, coloring all raw video files within our feed aesthetic, editing all photos (this can take upwards of 4 hours), sending your videos off to our editors (this process can take up to a week)

    • Static Feed and Story Design – While our content team works their magic, our design and social team is hard at work curating your static post and story designs. Steph, our designer, will review your brand guidelines and spend a week creating templates and designs for your social campaign. Then, our team takes these designs and adds original content, diving into the detailed process of designing your static posts and stories for the campaign launch. This process can take up to 16 hours every month.

    • Strategy Review – At the end of the month, we’ll go over your full strategy and campaign plan before launch.

03 What Happens Once You're a Client?

Here’s what working with us looks like every month:

  • Monthly Strategy Call – A check-in with Shannon and Matt to review what’s working, what’s next, and where we’re headed.

  • Content Calendar Planning – You’ll get a questionnaire each month to make sure we’re covering anything specific you want included.

  • Monthly Content Shoot – Locked in based on your package.

  • Content Approval – A week before the new month starts, you’ll get a preview of your feed via our content management platform to review and approve.

  • Performance Insights – A deep dive into what’s working, what’s not, and what’s next on the roadmap.

SEE THE LATEST

Our Recent and Fascinating Portfolio Works

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes—as long as your monthly questionnaire is completed and your monthly or quarterly content shoots are scheduled. High West is committed to delivering everything outlined in your package, but we rely on timely input and scheduling from our clients to make that happen.

    If a shoot isn’t scheduled or we don’t receive direction, High West is not responsible for missed deliverables. Consistent communication and planning ensure you get the full value of your services!

  • That’s up to you! If you want us to manage your messages, we’ll create a game plan and train your engagement manager to handle them just how you like.

  • It definitely helps! If you don’t have one, we can create one for you (because Steph needs a solid foundation to make your brand look amazing).

  • While we’ve accommodated quick-turn clients in the past, we don’t do that anymore. Rushing the process leads to subpar results, burnt-out teams, and unhappy clients. We take the time to do things right because your success is our priority.

  • If going viral is your #1 goal, we’re probably not the agency for you. We focus on building brand awareness, trust, and engagement—not chasing trends for short-lived attention. Our content is designed to resonate with your audience and create long-term success, not just quick hits. Some posts may gain traction, but our priority is making content that actually serves your brand.

  • Your input is essential to making your marketing as effective as possible. While we bring the strategy and execution, you’re the expert on your business and industry. That’s why we send out monthly questionnaires—to ensure we’re highlighting what’s most important to you. If these aren’t filled out, we’ll still create content, but it may not align with what you truly want to feature.

    We also offer monthly strategy calls to keep things on track. It’s up to you to schedule these and come prepared. Without your input, we’re left guessing, and marketing works best when it’s a collaboration. Staying organized and proactive will help us create content that truly represents your business and drives results.

  • With organic social media management, you’ll start seeing solid progress around three months, with even stronger results after six. Organic marketing focuses on community-building and long-term brand growth, so it takes time to refine what works for your industry and, more importantly, your brand. We continuously analyze performance, test new strategies, and expand on what resonates with your audience.

    If you’re looking for faster results, we can explore paid advertising to complement your organic efforts. However, if you’re expecting instant success without incorporating paid strategies, we’re probably not the right fit. Social media isn’t a quick fix—it’s about consistency, strategy, and trust-building to create lasting growth.

  • We’re all about building long-term, collaborative relationships. If you’re expecting overnight success or unrealistic ROI, we’ll be upfront with you. Mismatched expectations lead to frustration on both sides, and that’s not how we roll.

    We also don’t do well with micromanagement or constant last-minute changes. We have strategy calls and questionnaires in place for a reason—to keep things organized and efficient. If last-minute requests, constant check-ins, or rushed changes are your style, we might not be the best fit. We do have fees in place for last-minute revisions or calls because our team’s time and energy are valuable, just like yours.