What You Need to Know Before Hiring a Marketing or Social Media Company

If you've ever looked into hiring a marketing agency or a social media management company, you may have noticed something: there are no clear pricing standards, and the range of services (and costs) can vary dramatically. While there are many reputable, talented professionals in this space, the unfortunate truth is that many businesses are getting overcharged or underdelivered.

As someone who has worked in marketing and social media management for years, I want to help you avoid falling into that trap. Whether you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, or nonprofit leader, here’s what you should know before signing any contracts.

1. There Is No Standard Pricing Model Unlike regulated industries, the marketing world operates without a set pricing structure. Some agencies charge thousands of dollars per month for simple posting schedules, while others may offer rock-bottom prices but deliver very little actual strategy or results. This lack of consistency makes it easy for people to get taken advantage of.

2. Flashy Presentations Don’t Always Mean Results Be cautious of being sold on design alone. While aesthetics matter, your marketing should also be backed by strategy, research, and analytics. Ask to see examples of real-world results, not just mockups or templates.

3. Understand What You're Paying For Before you hire a company, get clarity on exactly what services are included. Are they doing strategy, content creation, posting, engagement, ad management, analytics? Are revisions included? Transparency is key.

4. Ask About Ownership and Access Make sure you retain ownership of your content, accounts, and data. You should always have admin access to your platforms and be able to walk away with your assets if needed.

5. Look for a Collaborative Approach Great marketing is rooted in collaboration. Avoid companies that offer a one-size-fits-all plan without learning about your brand or goals. The best results come from marketers who take time to understand your business and align their efforts with your values.

Final Thoughts If it sounds too good to be true, it might be. And if it sounds too vague, dig deeper. Your marketing should be an investment, and not a gamble. As someone in this industry, I’m committed to raising awareness so that good businesses don’t get burned.

If you’re looking for honest support or have questions about what’s normal or fair in this industry, reach out. I'm happy to chat, no strings attached.

Check out my YouTube video for more information - https://youtube.com/shorts/Gn2ncyC7MDQ?feature=share

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