Finding a Marketing Agency: 7 Key Steps to Discovering the Best Fit

Because not all agencies are created equal (and some are just really good at looking good on Instagram).

Finding the right marketing agency for your business is kind of like dating — a mix of strategy, gut instinct, and hoping they don’t ghost you after three months. Whether you're hiring to grow your brand, drive leads, or make TikToks that don’t make your CEO cringe, here are 7 key steps to help you find the one.

1. Define What You Actually Need (Not What Sounds Cool)

Before you even Google “best marketing agency near me,” take a breath. Do you need branding? Content creation? SEO? Ads that don’t make your budget cry? List your top 2-3 priorities — because "everything" is not a strategy, it's a panic attack.

👉 Pro tip: Agencies love clarity. If you say, “We want better leads through Google,” instead of “We want to go viral,” you’ll attract actual help instead of hype.

2. Set Your Budget — Then Be Honest About It

Marketing isn’t magic, and agencies aren’t clairvoyants. Whether you’re working with $1,000 a month or $100,000 a quarter, your budget will shape the scope. Good agencies won’t just ask for your money — they’ll show you what that money gets you.

👉 Be wary of anyone who dodges pricing. If they’re shady on numbers now, just wait ‘til invoice time.

3. Look for Niche Experience

You wouldn’t hire a wedding photographer for a NASCAR race (unless you like blurry photos and crushed dreams). Same goes for agencies. Look for teams that understand your industry, your customers, and what actually works — not just what looks trendy.

👉 Bonus points if they’ve helped similar businesses crush it — and can prove it.

4. Stalk Their Work Like It’s Your Ex’s New Girlfriend

This is your permission slip to go full detective. Check their portfolio. Scroll their socials. Watch their videos. Read their blog. Do you like what you see? Does it feel aligned with your brand vibe? Are they showing up as experts or just “vibing”?

👉 Red flag: They talk big but have no public work to back it up. You don’t need hype — you need proof.

5. Ask the Hard Questions

During your discovery call, skip the fluff. Ask:

• Who’s actually doing the work?

• What results have you gotten for businesses like mine?

• What’s your communication process?

• What happens if we’re not happy?

👉 If they squirm, pivot. If they answer like pros, you're on the right track.

6. Evaluate Chemistry, Not Just Capability

Yes, you want strategy and skills. But also? You’ll be working with these people regularly. If they make you feel stupid, overwhelmed, or like you’re not “cool enough,” walk away. You need a team that gets you — not one that talks over you.

👉 You’re building a relationship, not buying a vending machine.

7. Don’t Just Hire the Cheapest — Hire the Smartest

Cheap marketing costs more in the long run. Sloppy strategy, bad branding, and content no one engages with? That’s expensive. Look for an agency that shows you how they think, not just what they sell.

👉 A good agency makes you money. A great one makes you look damn good while doing it.

Final Thought:

The right agency should feel like a creative partner, not a vendor. Someone who’s in the trenches with you, helping your business grow, not just inflating vanity metrics. When you find that — hang on tight.

And if you’re reading this and thinking, “Yeah, I wish that agency existed…”👋 Hello. We might know one.