How to Choose an XHS Agency in Singapore: 12 Questions to Ask
Short answer: A good XHS (小红书) agency in Singapore, whether Start Media or another team, should write in native Chinese, plan every note around real Xiaohongshu searches, have its own network of local creators, report on saves and enquiries rather than likes, and give you full ownership of your account. Ask for examples of accounts they run now, a clear monthly price, and what happens if you stop working together.
Key takeaways
XHS works like a search engine, so the agency must show you its keyword plan, not just a posting calendar.
Native Chinese copywriting is essential. Translated captions rarely rank.
A local KOC network lets the agency arrange store visits quickly.
Typical XHS account management in Singapore costs SGD 1,600–2,500 a month for 6–15 notes (Start Media pricing, October 2026).
Walk away from any agency that promises follower numbers or sells fake engagement.
Why choosing the right XHS agency matters
Xiaohongshu (小红书, also called Little Red Book or RedNote) rewards consistency and trust. A wrong start costs more than money: generic notes, fake engagement or a poorly verified account can hold back your account for months. The questions below help you compare agencies fairly, including us.
12 questions to ask an XHS agency
About their experience
1. Which XHS accounts do you run right now? Ask to see live accounts and notes, not only a slide deck.
2. Who will write my notes? Look for a native Chinese copywriter who understands Singapore, not a translator.
3. How long have you worked on Xiaohongshu? The platform's rules and search behaviour change often. Hands-on experience matters.
About strategy
4. What will my customers search for? A good agency comes back with real search terms, such as 新加坡美食推荐 or your neighbourhood plus category, and the top notes for each.
5. How do you plan each note? Each note should target one search term, with a clear cover, title and honest caption.
6. Can you set up and verify my business account? Ask about Blue V (蓝V) verification and who owns the login. See our Blue V guide.
About creators
7. Do you have your own KOC network in Singapore? Store visits by several local creators usually do more for search than one big influencer post. Read KOC vs KOL marketing.
8. Do you check creator notes before they go live? Every note should be reviewed for accuracy and disclosure.
About results and terms
9. What will you report each month? Ask for reach, saves, comments, private messages and enquiries, plus next month's plan.
10. How much does it cost, and what is included? Get the number of notes, photo and video shoots, replies and boosting in writing.
11. Who owns the account and content? You should own the account, the login and every photo and video.
12. What is the minimum contract? Search traffic builds over two to three months, so a short trial is fair, but you should not be locked in for a year.
Red flags to watch for
Guaranteed followers or "going viral". No honest agency can promise this.
Fake likes, saves or comments. Xiaohongshu removes fake engagement and can limit accounts that use it.
Captions that read like translated English. This usually means there is no native Chinese copywriter.
No access to your own account. Keep the login in your company's name.
Reports full of likes but no enquiries. Likes alone do not pay rent.
How much should an XHS agency cost in Singapore?
Prices vary by scope. At Start Media (prices updated October 2026):
XHS account management: usually SGD 1,600–2,500 a month for 6–15 notes.
KOC store visit campaigns: from SGD 2,000, plus the product or service you give creators.
WeChat Channels (视频号): from about SGD 2,000 a month, plus SGD 600 a year for Blue V verification.
For a wider comparison, see our XHS account management cost guide and our overview of Xiaohongshu agencies in Singapore.
How Start Media answers these questions
Start Media is a Singapore XHS agency founded in 2022 by Dawn, who has 8 years on Xiaohongshu and has trained 1,000+ students.
Team: a strategist, native Chinese copywriter, photographer and videographer, and account manager.
Creators: 100+ Singapore-based XHS KOCs with 1K to 50K followers, plus KOLs above 50K.
Ownership: your account is set up and verified in your business's name.
Reporting: monthly reach, saves, comments and enquiries, plus next month's plan.
Results: for Treasure Paradise (饱藏), monthly revenue grew about 10–15% month on month during the engagement and was around 50% higher after three months (client-reported).
Learn more about our XHS account management and KOC store visits.
FAQ
What does an XHS agency do?
An XHS agency sets up and verifies your Xiaohongshu business account, researches keywords, writes and posts notes in Chinese, arranges creator visits, replies to comments and reports results.
How do I know if an XHS agency is good?
Ask to see accounts they run now, check that a native Chinese copywriter writes the notes, and make sure they report on saves and enquiries, not only likes.
Is a Singapore-based XHS agency better than one in China?
For a business serving customers in Singapore, a local agency can film on site, arrange local creator visits and understand Singapore search terms. A China-based agency may suit brands targeting customers in mainland China.
How long should I give an XHS agency?
Give it at least two to three months. Search traffic on Xiaohongshu builds as more notes are indexed and saved.
Comparing agencies now? Get a free XHS account review and see how we would approach your account.
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