The Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Marketing Agency

Hiring a marketing agency always sounds like the golden ticket. Yeah, it makes sense, because you want to perfect that first impression, and so hiring a professional, well, a group of professionals in this case, is usually a smart move, right? Like, you imagine someone swooping in, sorting everything, and finally giving you that polished brand presence you’ve been craving. In your head, you’re sipping coffee while they’re out there pulling the strings and making magic happen. But then reality sets in.

It’s not always bad, but sometimes, businesses need to deal with some generic blogs, a couple of half-hearted ads, and social posts that could belong to literally anyone. Sometimes, agencies really do offer garbage, and yeah, it’s underwhelming, and you’re left wondering why you bothered. But yeah, that’s the catch. Honestly, outsourcing itself isn’t the issue usually; actually, it’s picking an agency that doesn’t actually care about your business beyond ticking a few boxes.

So before you sign anything, it’s worth asking some pointed questions. But what are some questions you ideally should be asking?

Do They Actually Care About Your Goals?

Sure, they might state it, but there needs to be proof. So, some agencies are obsessed with their to-do list. Like, it might be three posts a week, a monthly newsletter, a handful of ads. And then they’re considered done. Sure, on paper, it looks like progress. In reality, it’s just noise. If you notice all the focus is on their deliverables and none on your bigger picture, that’s a warning sign. The good ones will dig, like a lot of digging.

Can They Build More Than A Pretty Website?

Now, you really need to understand that this is where agencies love to show off. At least, this is what’s expected of them. So, they’ll promise you a gorgeous new site that looks amazing. And yeah, that’s great, but here’s the problem: if it’s just a nice-looking template, then it’s basically digital wallpaper. No, really, it’s true; nice enough at a glance, but totally useless when it comes to converting visitors into customers.

But when it comes to proper websites, they should feel like the heartbeat of your marketing. It should tell your story, make life easy for your audience, and of course, actually do the job of moving people closer to buying. Basically, they know a cheap template won’t be enough.

Do They Ever Push Back?

Honestly, this one separates the serious players from the box-tickers. If an agency just nods along to everything you say, they’re not really invested. The best ones will question you, challenge you, and sometimes tell you things you don’t want to hear. And while that can feel awkward in the moment, it’s a sign they’re thinking. Seriously, you don’t want a “yes” person who just takes your money; you’re not benefiting there.

How Do they Measure Success?

If the only numbers they’re throwing at you are likes and shares, you’re wasting money (big time). Sure, it’s fun to see a few thumbs-up on a post, but unless it connects back to leads, sales, or something that actually helps your business grow, it’s just noise dressed up as results. No, really, it’s as simple as that.

Image Source: Helena Lopes via Unsplash