We’ve all been there. You feel like you’re paying a lot of money for something but can’t seem to figure out what your agency actually does for you. They occasionally send emails and make post content, but nothing seems to be working to your advantage.
After some time passes, you find yourself getting less-and-less traffic. You’re frustrated with the lack of results. If this sounds familiar, then maybe it’s time to consider firing your current marketing agency?
But since this is a crucial decision for your business, it’s important that you decide based on facts and not just solely on your gut feelings. To help you decide whether it’s already time to part ways, here’s 12 signs to look out for.
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You’re Rarely on the Same Page
Your marketing agency is supposed to help you grow your brand, but if they’re not on the same page as you when it comes to promoting your business it can lead to problems.
Are you often not seeing eye-to-eye in terms of strategy or goals? If there seems to be a disconnect between how they perceive your brand and what you actually do, then maybe it’s time for a change. A marketing agency that is not able to fully showcase your brand to customers in the best light possible is not worth the investment.
They’re Not as Transparent as You Expected
One of the best ways to determine whether or not your marketing agency is a good fit is by evaluating how transparent they are. Do they share relevant information with you, letting you know exactly what’s happening and why? Or do they hide things that might affect your business in a negative way?
Reports are a crucial measurement of a marketing strategy. Most especially if you are paying for a marketing agency to do all the work for you. If your current marketing agency fails to provide you with unfiltered access to analytics, you should be worried.
It’s your marketing agency’s obligation to provide you with regular reporting and make suggestions based on the data. If that’s not being done, it’s a big red flag.
They Constantly Fail to Meet Deadlines.
When it comes to faster, more efficient workflow processes then there is no better option than hiring a marketing agency. Unfortunately, not all agencies are created equal. If they consistently fail to meet deadlines, this can be detrimental to your business growth.
Deadlines are there for a reason. Missing a deadline or two with a well-grounded reason may not be something to worry about. But if it’s been going on for some time, then don’t be too lenient and demand better accountability.
They Ask YOU all the Questions Instead of Offering Guidance on Strategy Pivots
Is your marketing agency asking you all the questions instead of giving clear direction on what needs to be accomplished to meet your business goals?
Your agency should take the lead on marketing success. If you’re the one guiding them, then why keep paying? Stop wasting time and money. Look for someone that can actually build a roadmap to success.
They’re Constantly Asking for Feedback on Their Work and Increasing Costs
This can be a sign of an agency that doesn’t understand how to price their own work. If they require constant feedback from you on their work and ask for increased compensation after every little deliverable, it might be time to part ways.
The payment terms and scope should be clearly discussed beforehand. But if they continually disregard what you’ve already agreed upon, then look for another team that’s more results-driven and experienced.
They Don’t Create a Plan of Action Together With You
Let’s say that you suddenly realize that there’s a need for a new strategy pivot, and you’re expecting your agency to be able to come up with action steps ASAP. If they fumble and take too long to respond, it may mean they aren’t skilled at whatever it is you need them to work on.
Efficient marketing agencies are always ready with plans A, B, C, and D. If yours is stuck on plan A, then you should seriously consider moving on to another agency with a more complete service offering.
They Completely Ignore Requests from Other Members of Your Team
If you have other members on your marketing team it’s important that they’re all able to work together with the agency to get things done quickly and efficiently. If this isn’t happening, consider having a serious conversation about improving communication.
If they don’t seem interested in your feedback, consider finding someone else who does value your team’s thoughts.
They Don’t Offer Helpful Suggestions for Improvement
Your marketing agency should be invested in your success. If they don’t seem to care about changes you want to implement and whether or not it will improve your business, then it’s time to cut them loose.
Remember, that in marketing nothing is constant. It’s a world that’s always subject to change. If your marketing agency is not keeping up with the changes, your business will be left behind.
They’re Always Asking for More Money but Offer Nothing New in Return
Some agencies are known to increase their prices frequently without offering any new services on top of the existing scope of work.
If what your agency delivers keeps going up in price without any added value, consider whether or not you want to continue with them after your contract is over.
They’re Not Transparent About Their Pricing Model
One of the most important things to find out when you’re hiring a marketing agency is how they charge for services. Are there hidden fees? Do they have long-term payment plans, or do they ask for a lump sum? Do they charge by the hour or per project?
If your agency hides its pricing model in some way, it may be a big red flag that you’ll end up spending too much down the road with very little return on your investment.
They’re Poor Communicators
Another important aspect to consider when hiring an outside marketing firm is how well they communicate. Do they follow through on deadlines? Are the communication methods used efficient and effective, or are there unnecessary delays every time you need to get in touch with them for updates?
If your agency is having trouble communicating effectively, then it may be best to find someone new.
They Don’t Seem to Know What They’re Doing.
If you find that your current marketing agency constantly makes errors and doesn’t seem like they have any idea what’s going on, then it may be time for a change.
Mistakes can happen from time to time with even the best agencies, but if every project seems riddled with problems it’s time to make a switch.
Firing an agency is not an easy decision to make. But if you’re no longer satisfied with the work being done, it’s the most reasonable and beneficial thing to do for your business.
Dragging this decision out is just costing you more money. If your current agency fits into one of these 12 scenarios, it’s probably time to say farewell and move on.
As bad as it is to be in this situation, we hope you found this article helpful in your decision-making process. If you have any questions or you’d like to get a 2nd set of eyes on your strategy, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for a free audit today.
