10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Agency

10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Agency

Author: John Jantsch December 11, 2025 Duration: 22:32

Sara breaks down the 10 essential questions every small business should ask before hiring a marketing agency, consultant, or fractional CMO. From who owns your marketing assets to how results are measured, Sara shares hard-won lessons from 16+ years helping businesses avoid costly mistakes. Learn how to spot red flags, demand transparency, and build a partnership based on strategy—not secrecy. Perfect for anyone ready to own their marketing and stop getting trapped in bad contracts.

Today we discussed:

00:00:00 Introduction

00:02:50 Why Marketing Is Hard

00:04:26 10 Questions Overview

00:05:14 Question 1: Asset Ownership

00:07:20 Question 2: Measuring Success

00:09:11 Question 3: Strategy Alignment

00:11:09 Question 4: Contract Terms

00:12:11 Question 6: Reporting Standards

00:12:23 Question 5: Team Interaction

00:13:04 Question 7: AI Integration

00:15:12 Question 8: Keep Your Team Involved

00:17:48 Question 10: What You'll Learn

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This episode is brought to you by Duct Tape Marketing.

Struggling with marketing chaos?
Our CEO, Sara Nay, has created a free 30-minute workshop, The Clarity Engine, along with a practical worksheet to help you build a marketing system that actually scales.

Ready to finish the year with a clear plan?
Start the workshop & grab your free worksheet - https://dtm.world/clarity

Want a second set of eyes on your strategy?
Sara's offering a few free, year-end review sessions (limited capacity)

Book your strategy call - https://dtm.world/yearend


For anyone trying to navigate the noisy world of small business growth, The Duct Tape Marketing Podcast offers a grounded, practical conversation. Host John Jantsch, recognized as a leading expert in this space, doesn't chase fads. Instead, he sits down with authors, seasoned entrepreneurs, and other practitioners who have actually built something. The discussions focus on actionable marketing tips and sustainable growth strategies you can apply, regardless of your budget. This isn't theoretical; it's a resource built on real-world experience. Each episode of the podcast feels like a direct consultation, breaking down complex ideas into manageable steps. You'll hear about systems that work, tools that save time, and mindsets that shift outcomes. Whether you're running the show yourself, working inside a marketing department, or building an agency, the consistent insight is how to do marketing that sticks and genuinely grows your business. The value comes from John's focused questioning and his guests' willingness to share what they've learned the hard way. Tune in for a clear-eyed take on what effective marketing looks like when the theory meets the road.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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