How do I know if my marketing agency has my best interests at heart?
If you’ve ever worked with a marketing agency, you’ve probably wondered: Are they truly helping my business grow—or just cashing my check? Many CEOs and business owners share this frustration. Some agencies are incredible partners. Others keep you in the dark, limiting your access to your own campaigns, websites, and data.
In this episode of Endless Customers, I sat down with Marcus Sheridan to talk about problems with some marketing agencies. Marcus 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. Marcus 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."
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."
If you’re tired of feeling locked out by an agency, the first step is simple: talk with our team. We’ll show you how the Endless Customers System™ can help your company:
Take back control of your website and tools.
Build buyer trust with transparent content.
Reduce wasted spend on agencies by empowering your team.
Schedule a conversation with our team to see how Endless Customers could transform your marketing.
Marcus Sheridan is a writer, speaker, and business expert who’s worked with companies all over the world. Marcus is the author of Endless Customers and They Ask, You Answer.
Connect with Marcus on LinkedIn
Learn more about Endless Customers
Read: Marketing Coach vs Agency: Why You Need a Coach for Real Success
Learn: '30-Day Website Redesign'? What to Ask an Agency That’s Making Big Promises
What is the Endless Customers System™?
It’s a proven framework that helps businesses generate qualified leads and long-term trust by producing transparent, educational content in-house.
How does Endless Customers help me work with (or move away from) an agency?
The system equips your internal team to take control of content, video, and CRM tools like HubSpot—reducing dependency on agencies and putting the power back in your hands.
What if I already have an agency?
Many of our clients work with agencies for specific tasks. But Endless Customers ensures you own the critical pieces of your marketing: content, trust-building, and buyer education.