3 Red Flags to Watch for When Hiring an Agency

Hiring a PR agency can be an exciting yet stressful time for businesses. With so many agencies to choose from, it can be overwhelming to pick the right one for your specific business needs. Just like every business is different, so is every agency. It’s important to do your research to ensure the agency you pick is the perfect fit for your business. We have you covered with these three red flags to look out for when searching for a PR agency.

1. An agency promising specific results

Results are outcomes such as sales, growth, and numbers. There are many different factors that play a role in obtaining specific results. For example, you could have a perfectly crafted press release about something new happening in your business, but because of bad timing, it gets overshadowed by something else happening in the world. The truth is, no agency can promise you specific results. Instead, agencies can promise deliverables such as the number of pitches, social media posts, and ad campaigns they’ll create for your business. These deliverables can ultimately help you accomplish your business goals, but they don’t guarantee specific results that could be challenging to reach due to factors that are out of your business and the agency’s control.

2. An agency won’t tell you or show you any of their clients

Most agencies proudly show off the work they have done and continue to do for their clients. An agency refusing or offering to show you their current clients and work they have done is a red flag as it shows a lack of transparency. Some agencies don’t disclose their clients due to exclusivity. However, even businesses within the same industry have different needs, which means the marketing approach will be different. Seeing the type of work an agency has done is a great way to determine whether or not they are a great fit for your business.

3. An agency only offers cookie-cutter packages

Every business is different and has different marketing needs that might not fit into specific packages. Many amateur agencies only offer their clients packages without the option for customization. A good agency should listen to their clients’ failures, successes, and goals to create a proposal that addresses all of their needs and will help improve their business.

If you would like to hear more about red flags to watch out for when hiring an agency, listen to the full podcast episode here. If you are searching for an agency, check out our services!