What Questions Should I Ask Before Hiring a Digital Marketer?
Most Owners Ask the Wrong Questions
"What do you charge?" and "Can you get me more leads?" are the two questions almost every owner leads with - and they're also the two questions any salesperson can answer confidently regardless of whether the work will actually succeed. The better questions dig into specifics that are hard to fake.
About Results
- "What's a realistic result in 90 days, specifically for a business like mine?" A real answer includes a number or a range and a timeline. A vague answer ("it depends, but we'll grow your presence") is a red flag.
- "Can I talk to a current client in my industry?" Not a testimonial on their website - an actual live reference you can call. Most legitimate agencies will connect you with one. See our full guide to verifying a marketer is trustworthy for more signals to check.
- "How would we know in 30 days if this isn't working?" Good marketers define failure conditions upfront, not just success metrics.
About the Actual Work
- "Who specifically will be working on my account day to day?" Many agencies sell you on the founder or senior strategist during the pitch, then hand your account to a junior account manager after signing. Ask by name.
- "What tools and platforms will you actually use, and do I own the accounts?" You should own your Google Business Profile, ad accounts, and website - not the agency. If they insist on controlling accounts under their own login, that's a lock-in tactic.
- "What does my involvement need to look like week to week?" If the answer is "none," be skeptical - most effective marketing needs at least some input from you (approving content, reviewing leads, confirming offers).
About Money
- "What's included in the retainer, and what's billed separately?" Ad spend, stock photography, landing page builds, and rush requests are common add-ons that aren't always disclosed upfront. For typical ranges at each tier, see what digital marketing actually costs.
- "What's the contract length and cancellation terms?" Month-to-month with a real 30-day-notice cancellation is a strong signal of confidence. A 12-month lock-in with an early termination fee is a signal the retention plan depends on the contract, not the results.
- "Is there a setup fee, and what does it cover?" Reasonable if it covers real onboarding work (site build, integrations). Unreasonable if it's just a fee for the sales conversation.
About Reporting
- "What will my monthly report actually show, and can I see a sample?" A real report ties activity to results - calls answered, leads booked, revenue attributed. A vanity report full of impressions and reach with no revenue connection is designed to keep you subscribed, not informed.
The Single Best Filter Question
Ask this one last: "What would you do differently for my business than you'd do for any other business in my category?" If the answer sounds identical to what they'd say to a dentist, a plumber, and a gym owner, you're buying a template, not a strategy.
Come With Your Own Answers Ready
Crescore Systems runs a free 20-minute audit call where we answer all of the above upfront - what result to expect, who works your account, what's included, and exactly what a 30-day cancellation looks like. Book a free audit and bring your list of questions; we'd rather you ask than assume.