What to Expect When Working with a Marketing Agency (And How to Choose the Right One)
- brickma
- Mar 6
- 4 min read
Most business owners don’t hire a marketing agency until they’re already frustrated, overwhelmed, or bleeding money on guesswork. Sound familiar? Maybe you’ve thrown cash at Facebook ads with nothing to show for it. Or you’ve juggled social media, email marketing, and SEO—only to feel like you’re spinning your wheels.
The truth is, not all marketing agencies operate the same way. Some take a one-size-fits-all approach, while others dive deep into your specific challenges before recommending solutions. Some focus on flashy tactics, while others emphasize strategy and long-term growth.
Before you sign on with an agency, it’s important to know what to expect—and how to choose the right agency for your business.
The Different Types of Marketing Agencies
Not every agency is built for every business. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types:
1. Large Full-Service Agencies
These agencies offer a wide range of services—branding, digital ads, SEO, content marketing, and more. They typically work with big budgets and longer contracts, making them a great fit for larger brands looking for a comprehensive, hands-off approach. However, for small businesses, they may feel impersonal and expensive
✅ Best for: Established companies with larger budgets and broad marketing needs.
❌ Watch Out For: Standardized service models that may not adapt well to smaller business needs.
2. Niche or Specialized Agencies
These agencies concentrate on specific areas of marketing, such as SEO, social media, or paid advertising. They work well for businesses that need targeted expertise rather than a full-service solution. If you already have an internal marketing team but need expert support in one particular area, a specialized agency can be a great fit. However, if you need a holistic strategy, you might have to coordinate multiple agencies, which can become costly and complex.
✅ Best for: Businesses that need help with only one aspect of marketing.
❌ What to Watch Out For: The challenge of working with multiple agencies, which may lead to fragmented strategies and inconsistent messaging.
3. Industry-Specific Agencies
These agencies tailor their services to a single industry, such as law firms, healthcare providers, or real estate professionals. Their deep understanding of industry trends and regulations can be valuable, but some may rely on similar strategies across clients, making it harder to differentiate your business.
✅ Best for: Businesses that want an agency already familiar with their industry's trends and compliance requirements
❌ What to Watch Out For: Some agencies specialize in your industry, which can be helpful—but if they treat every client the same, it’s less ‘expert strategy’ and more ‘copy-paste marketing.’ If every competitor in your space is running the same kind of campaign, standing out becomes nearly impossible.
4. Boutique, Strategy-Driven Agencies (Like Brickma)
Boutique agencies take a personalized approach to marketing. Rather than pushing a pre-built package, they take time to understand your business, craft a tailored strategy, and adjust tactics based on data. However, not all boutique agencies are as customized as they claim—some still offer generic services without fully understanding their clients.
✅ Best for: Business owners who want a marketing agency, not just a vendor.
❌ What to Watch Out For: Agencies that claim to be “custom” but still use templated strategies.
Curious about what makes Brickma different? Read more about our approach.
What to Expect When Working with a Marketing Agency
1. The Initial Consultation: Asking the Right Questions
A good agency won’t jump into tactics right away. Instead, they’ll ask insightful questions to understand your business, your goals, and what’s worked (or failed) before. Expect to discuss:
What challenges are you currently facing in marketing?
Who is your ideal customer?
What marketing efforts have you tried before?
What are your short-term and long-term business goals?
What metrics matter most to your success?
🚩 Red Flag: If an agency isn’t asking thoughtful questions, that’s a warning sign.
2. Strategy Development & Custom Recommendations
Once they understand your business, a marketing agency should present a clear strategy. Some agencies offer pre-set packages, while others (like Brickma) customize a plan based on your specific needs. A strong strategy should include:
A clear roadmap—what they’ll focus on first and why.
Transparency in recommendations—why they’re choosing these tactics.
Flexibility—your business may change, and so should the strategy.
"If your agency can’t explain why they’re doing something, they probably shouldn’t be doing it. And if they tell you otherwise, it’s time to find a new agency." – Dustin Cook, Brickma Marketing
🚩 Red Flag: If an agency presents a one-size-fits-all approach that doesn’t take your industry, goals, or past marketing efforts into account. Hiring an agency should feel like a business boost, not a blindfolded trust fall.
3. Execution & Communication
A strong agency partnership involves consistent communication and reporting. Here’s what that should look like:
Regular updates on what’s being done and why.
Performance reports that track progress and results.
A dedicated point of contact to answer questions.
Adjustments to strategy based on performance—not just running campaigns blindly.
🚩 Red Flag: If you sign on with an agency and barely hear from them after the first month, that’s a problem.
How to Choose the Right Marketing Agency for Your Business
Not sure how to separate the great agencies from the ones that will waste your time (and budget)? Here’s what to look for:
✅ Do they take time to understand your business before suggesting tactics?
✅ Are they transparent about pricing and deliverables?
✅ Do they offer clear reporting and measurable results?
✅ Are they focused on long-term growth, not just quick wins?
✅ Do they provide flexibility and room for strategy adjustments?
🚩 Red Flags to Avoid:
❌ Locking you into long contracts without flexibility.
❌ Focusing only on vanity metrics (likes, clicks) instead of ROI.
❌ Using a cookie-cutter approach without learning about your business.
The right agency should feel like a partner, not a vendor. If an agency doesn’t check these boxes, it might not be the best fit for your business.
Is Hiring a Marketing Agency Right for You?
Hiring a marketing agency is a big step, but the right agency should make your life easier, not more confusing. A great agency will help you:
🔹 Cut through the noise and focus on what drives results for your business.
🔹 Build a strategy that aligns with your goals.
🔹 Adjust and refine tactics based on real results.
Not sure if an agency is right for you? Book a free consultation where we’ll help you clarify your marketing priorities—no strings attached.
