What are the Top 3 Things to Look for in a Marketing Company?

Choosing the right marketing company?

Yeah… easier said than done.

You’ve got:

• Big promises.
• Fancy case studies.
• Founders flying private while your leads are drying up.

It’s a noisy space. And it’s easy to fall for flash instead of real strategy.

But what actually matters? What should you be looking for before signing a contract?

We pulled insights from contractors, agency leaders, and people deep in the home service trenches to break it down—real talk, no fluff.

Let’s get into the top 3 things to look for in a marketing company that are actually worth your time.

1. Proven Success in Your Industry

Don’t let your business be the experiment.

You’d be shocked how many marketing companies claim to serve “every industry” but haven’t touched a business like yours.

If they’ve never worked with a home service company—or worse, they lump you in with restaurants or ecommerce brands—they probably don’t understand the urgency, the local nature, or the way leads actually close in your world.

You want someone who gets it:

• The seasonality of your services
• The value of every booked job
• The difference between a call and a lead
• Why showing up in the right ZIP codes matters more than going viral

Ask for case studies that prove they’ve delivered results in your industry—not just generic growth numbers.

Dig into the details: What kind of company did they help? What was the cost per lead? How long did it take to see results?

Then, look under the hood. Is the work done in-house, or are they outsourcing to a third-party team overseas? That matters. A lot.

An internal team means tighter quality control, better communication, and a crew that’s actually leveling up together over time on similar challenges to yours.

And here’s a bonus most people miss: if they’re curious and committed enough to learn your CRM and make sure your tracking is dialed in, that’s a marketing partner worth holding onto.

Because let’s face it, there’s a big difference between running ads for plumbers and selling t-shirts online. Find someone who already knows the game you’re playing.

2. Transparency, Communication, and Accountability

If you’re left in the dark, it’s already a red flag.

Too many marketing companies operate like a black box. You pay the invoice… and then what? A vague monthly report, some buzzwords, maybe a few cherry-picked metrics that make things look good but don’t actually tell you anything.

That’s not going to cut it.

You deserve a partner who’s open, honest, and easy to get ahold of—especially when things aren’t going well.

Here’s what to expect (and demand):

• Clear reporting every month with real results and plain-English explanations
• A willingness to talk about what’s not working, not just the wins
• Full ownership of your website, ad accounts, and analytics — it’s your business, not theirs
• Weekly or biweekly meetings to review data, catch issues early, and adjust strategy as you grow
• A team that learns your CRM and works with your data, not around it

This kind of transparency builds trust—and it also makes them better at their job. If they’re not interested in meeting regularly, won’t show you what’s being done behind the scenes, or hide behind vague metrics? Move on.

📣 “Transparency is the most important quality… willingness to share information, weekly meetings, and learning your CRM.”
— Norris Ayvazian

Bottom line: If you can’t see the full picture, you can’t steer the ship. And you should always be in the driver’s seat.

3. A Game Plan That Matches Your Goals

If they’re ready to take your money but haven’t asked about your goals? That’s a problem.

Great marketing companies don’t just throw tactics at the wall and hope something sticks. They ask questions. They listen. They dig into your goals, your budget, your service area, your current lead flow—and then they build a custom plan around all of that.

🚨 Before you sign anything, you should know:

• What they plan to do
• Why they’re doing it
• What success looks like
• And how they’ll measure progress along the way

Too many companies push long-term contracts without showing you the actual roadmap. That’s a red flag. You deserve to see a clear, written plan before you commit—and that plan should match the outcomes you actually care about (not just clicks or impressions).

Also: the best partners invite feedback. They don’t just send reports and disappear. They bring ideas to the table, set benchmarks, and actually adjust their approach based on what’s happening in your business.

Because strategy should always come before spend—and if they don’t care about your goals, they won’t help you reach them.

How Do You Know When It’s Time to Hire a Marketing Agency?

Hiring a marketing agency too early can lead to frustration. But waiting too long might mean missing out on growth you’re ready for.

Here’s how to tell if now’s the right time:

You’re generating some leads—but it’s inconsistent. You’re doing what you can with word of mouth, maybe a few ads, maybe some SEO… but it’s pieced together and hard to track. You’re spending time in the business, but you know someone needs to be focused on growth. That’s when outside help starts to make sense.

You might be ready if:

• You’ve got a steady business foundation, but you’re ready to scale
• You have budget set aside for marketing—not just one-time spend, but sustained investment
• You know your close rate and job values, and want to improve lead flow without guessing
• You’re looking for strategy, not just someone to post on social media or run one-off ads

On the flip side, if you’re still figuring out your offer, juggling major operational gaps, or relying heavily on low-cost, DIY marketing—an agency might not be the right fit yet. But once you’re in growth mode and want a true partner to help take you to the next level? That’s the sweet spot.

The Right Partner Makes All the Difference

At the end of the day, no marketing company is perfect. But the right one will show up with integrity, curiosity, and a commitment to real results—not just vanity metrics or vague promises.

So don’t get distracted by the flash. Take ownership. Ask tough questions. Know your numbers. And remember: you’re the customer, and a good agency will treat you like it.

If you’re looking for a marketing partner who knows the home service space, brings clarity to the chaos, and isn’t afraid to be held accountable, Hook Agency might be a fit.

Let’s grow your business the right way:

Book a strategy call with Hook and see if we’re the right team to help you scale.