Most business owners have been burned by a marketing company at least once. Locked into a 12-month contract, paying for “services” they couldn't see, getting reports full of vanity metrics that meant nothing. Here's how to avoid that.
Ask These 5 Questions Before You Sign Anything
1. “Who will actually be doing the work?”
Most agencies sell you the senior team and hand your account to a junior employee or outsource it overseas. Ask directly: who touches my account day-to-day? What's their experience level? At Consortium NYC, you work directly with someone who has 25 years in the seat they sit in. No layers.
2. “Can you show me real results from real businesses?”
Not stock photos. Not anonymized “Case Study: Client A.” Real business names, real numbers, real websites you can visit and verify. Check our portfolio — every result is from a real business you can Google right now.
3. “Do you require a long-term contract?”
If someone needs to lock you in to keep your business, that tells you everything. Good work speaks for itself. Our clients stay an average of 12+ months — not because they're trapped, but because the results compound over time. See our pricing — no contracts, no lock-ins.
4. “How do you report results?”
If the answer involves “impressions,” “reach,” or “brand awareness” without tying them to leads and revenue — walk away. You should know exactly how many leads came from SEO last month, what your cost per lead is, and what the revenue impact was. Every month. In plain English.
5. “What happens if it's not working?”
The honest answer should be: “We pivot.” Not “Give it more time.” Not “SEO takes 6-12 months.” A good marketing company has a plan B and tells you about it proactively when something isn't performing.
Red Flags to Watch For
What Good Looks Like
The Bottom Line
Choosing a marketing company is a business decision that affects your revenue for years. Don't choose based on a slick pitch or a cheap price. Choose based on transparency, accountability, and proof. Ask hard questions. Demand real answers. And if something feels off — trust your gut. There are 100+ industries we've worked with, and the companies that succeed are the ones who chose partners, not vendors.
Want to see what working with us looks like?
No pitch deck. No pressure. Just a real conversation about your business, your goals, and whether we're the right fit. If we're not, we'll tell you.