About This Episode
There are thousands of marketing agencies available to work with. Some are amazing partners, while others leave you feeling frustrated and like you’re burning precious resources with no return. How can you ensure that your marketing agency truly has your best interests at heart?
In this episode of Endless Customers, Alex Winter and Marcus Sheridan talk about problems with some marketing agencies. Sheridan says there are two kinds of agencies out there. He explained, “The first type has your best interest at heart. The second type has their best interest at heart.” Good agencies help their clients learn and grow, while bad ones might try to keep their clients in the dark.
There are some warning signs to watch out for when working with an agency. Sheridan pointed out, “If your agency is not allowing you to see your campaigns… they’re not a good agency.” He also warned about agencies that don’t let clients access their own websites or make simple changes. Another red flag is when agencies give vague reports without explaining what they’re doing.
Marcus paints a picture of how extreme some of these agencies can be. He says, “Imagine owning some type of retail store like a grocery store. You’re the owner. You walk in and you see some cans have fallen off the shelf, but you can’t pick them up. You literally have to call someone and they come pick it up. But you can’t because you don’t know how to pick it up. That’s what’s happening.”
How can someone who’s currently in this situation work their way out? By learning how to create content, use and update their website, and take advantage of tools like HubSpot with an internal team.
Marcus urges business owners not to rely too much on agencies. While outsourcing certain things can be good, the main content should be made by the company. “Especially if you want to disrupt. If you want to turn your industry on its head. Your agency ain’t going to turn the industry on its head. I’ve never seen that happen. Never have. And I don’t believe we ever will because they don’t want to ruffle any feathers because they’re more worried about making sure they continue to collect your check each month.”
He finishes with a strong message: “There are good agencies, but only if they want you to become informed and to learn along the way of the relationship with said agency. If they don’t want you to learn, and if they want you to be locked out, and if you feel locked out, it’s time to go.”
Connect with Marcus
Marcus Sheridan is a writer, speaker, and business expert who’s worked with companies all over the world. Marcus is the author of They Ask, You Answer and co-author of The Visual Sale.
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Keep Learning
Read: Marketing Coach vs Agency: Why You Need a Coach for Real Success
Watch: Don’t be Held Hostage by an Agency
Learn: ’30-Day Website Redesign’? What to Ask an Agency That’s Making Big Promises
