Congratulations, you’ve made a major investment in your business by hiring a marketing agency! They’ve promised you the world with their expert strategy and execution. Unfortunately, after a few months (or maybe even weeks), you’re realizing that the marketing agency you’re bound to for the next year isn’t living up to its promises. What should you do? Stick it out and hope they’ll get their act together? Or take matters into your own hands? If you’re leaning toward the latter, keep reading!
Clarify Expectations
First, take a deep breath and evaluate the situation. What specifically are you unhappy with? Are they not delivering measurable results, or are they not communicating clearly with you? Clearly identify your issues in writing so that you can articulate them in a respectful and professional manner. However, before doing anything, review your contract carefully to see if there are any clauses that could set you up for breach of contract. Then, schedule a meeting with your agency to discuss your issues and see if both parties can come to a resolution. Sometimes a simple conversation can be all it takes to get things back on track.
Compromise
If you’re not satisfied with the outcome, suggest a compromise that works for both parties. For instance, if you’re not satisfied with the agency’s social media initiatives, ask if you can run your campaigns on your own while the agency focuses on other strategies. This can be a win-win as your in-house content team may have more knowledge of your product brand and messaging whereas your agency’s strength may lie in other areas such as PPC or Google Ads.
Escalate
If the situation isn’t resolved after discussing things in-person and compromise is out of the question, escalate the problem to the agency’s account manager. This individual should be responsible for problem-solving and delivering results. Ensure that your issues and goals are clear and reasonable. Also, ask if they can assign you a different account manager or specialist to gauge if the problem could be simply related to communication or chemistry.
Consider Legal Advice: In more challenging scenarios, it might be worthwhile to consider the legal framework of the contract, specifically when and under what circumstances the contract could be terminated. In this case, communication is key. Try to negotiate the terms of the contract amicably with your agency before bringing in lawyers. Should things go awry, consider contacting a legal expert specializing in marketing contracts for resolution.
Look for Alternatives
Ultimately, it’s important to be proactive and explore other options. Research new marketing agencies, ask for references and read reviews to find a new agency, sit down with them for a cup of coffee to gauge if they’d be a good fit for your business. Sometimes, a fresh start is just what your marketing strategy needs to succeed.
Conclusion
If you’re stuck with a marketing agency that isn’t cutting it, don’t despair. There’s no need to endure a loveless relationship. Clarify your expectations, communicate, and look for ways to compromise. If all else fails, consider exploring your contract’s legal framework and researching different marketing alternatives. These actions can help you make the most out of a less-than-ideal situation. Remember, it’s never too late to take control of your marketing strategy and achieve your business goals.
