If you’ve gone through several marketing agencies in the past 5 years, trust me, you’re not alone.
The truth is, the issue probably isn’t how you pick agencies—it’s how you work with them.
Maybe this sounds familiar. You hire an agency, tell them exactly what you want done, expect quick results, feel let down, and then start all over again with a new team.
Hiring For Execution NOT Expertise
So many businesses see agencies simply as extra hands, outsourcing tasks instead of tapping into real expertise.
Coming to an agency with a predetermined list of marketing tasks is like going to the doctor and prescribing your own treatment.
You’re completely ignoring the expertise needed to diagnose the problem.
When you dictate tasks, you bypass the most valuable thing an agency offers: strategic thinking that could genuinely change your business.
Why Agencies Keep ‘Failing’
The truth is, most agencies are “OK”. It’s usually that success is measured the wrong way:
- You want immediate wins instead of sustainable growth.
- You’re focused on short-term results rather than long-term strategic impact.
- Marketing feels like an expense rather than an investment.
Here’s what really matters:
The real value of a great agency isn’t running campaigns or tweaking ad copy—it’s helping you rethink your assumptions.
Good agencies ask tough questions:
- Are you solving the right problem?
- Is your offer truly compelling?
- Does your positioning resonate with your ideal customers?
- Could you be trying to fix something fundamentally flawed?
Overlooking these types of questions, costs you more than any agency fees ever could.
Real Value
An agency’s real value is their expertise. They’ve seen what works, and more importantly, what doesn’t.
The best agencies challenge your thinking, uncover blind spots, and prevent expensive errors.
This guidance often goes beyond marketing—it includes product development, pricing, positioning, often much broader strategic business decisions.
How To Break the Cycle
- Hire for expertise, not just tasks – Stop judging agencies by tasks and hourly rates; value their strategic insight instead.
- Trust the process – Genuine, lasting growth takes time.
- Work together, not top-down – Let the agency help diagnose issues and guide your strategy.
Final Thought
If all your agency does is follow your plan, bring the work in-house. You’ll save some money and a lot of time.
If, on the other hand, you’re ready to break the cycle and try a completely different approach, let’s talk….
