How to Tell If Your Marketing Agency Is Actually Working

You ever get that feeling you’re paying a “marketing agency” just to babysit your social media account while they post Canva quotes about “grind” and “Monday motivation”?

Yeah. Same.

Here’s how to tell if your marketing agency is actually working (or if they’re just draining your card every month while you maybe get a like from your Aunt Linda).

A woman in a leather jacket interacts with her smartphone while enjoying a stroll in the park.

1️⃣ Are you getting leads?

Not “likes.”Not “reach.”Not “we increased engagement by 17% this month.”

Leads.

As in, actual humans who might give you money.

If you can’t directly trace your agency’s work to inquiries, appointments, or sales, it’s not working.

2️⃣ Do you know what’s happening with your money?

If your agency says “We’re running ads!” but you’ve never seen the ads, don’t know what’s being spent, and can’t see results, it’s a problem.

Your marketing agency shouldn’t be the Wizard of Oz hiding behind a curtain.

You should know:

• how much is being spent,

• where it’s being spent,

• what the goal is,

• and what’s happening.

If they can’t explain it simply, they probably don’t understand it themselves.

3️⃣ Are they owning outcomes or making excuses?

Real marketing is about outcomes.Are your appointments up? Are your sales up? Are new people finding you?

Or are you hearing:

• “The algorithm changed.”

• “It takes 6 months to see results.”

• “People just aren’t buying right now.”

Yes, markets fluctuate. But if your agency’s only strategy is to tell you to “just wait,” they’re collecting a retainer, not generating results.\

4️⃣ Does their work align with your goals?

If you want leads and sales but your agency is focused on “building a brand aesthetic” with no conversion plan, you’re not aligned.

Pretty content is cool. But pretty content without strategy is like a $300 logo on a business that has no customers.

5️⃣ Can they show receipts?

Any marketing agency worth paying should be able to show you:

-what they did

-what it cost,

-what it generated.

No vanity metrics, no fluff, no smoke.

Marketing that works pays for itself, and then some.

So what if it’s not working?

Fire them.

Or, if you’re feeling generous, give them a chance to explain exactly how they plan to fix it, with measurable targets and a clear timeline.

If you’re still getting vague answers, it’s time to move on.

Is my marketing agency working?

If your marketing agency can’t connect the dots between their work and your growth, they’re not doing marketing.

They’re doing busy work.

If you want someone who actually gets you leads, builds your pipeline, and makes your marketing dollars generate a return, let’s talk.

Otherwise, keep paying for those motivational Canva posts.

Your call.