The Top 5 Mistakes Companies Make When Hiring a Social Media Agency
- Abbie Coslett
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
Hiring a social media agency should feel like a smart investment. Done right, it frees you from the daily grind of content, ensures your brand stays visible, and generates real results. Done wrong, it becomes an expensive frustration that leaves you wondering what you actually paid for.
After working with dozens of businesses, we’ve seen the same mistakes happen again and again when companies choose a social media agency. Here are the top 5 mistakes to avoid if you want your partnership to succeed.
1. Choosing on Price Alone
It’s tempting to pick the cheapest option, especially if budgets are tight. But in social media, you usually get what you pay for. Agencies that undercharge often cut corners, use generic templates, or don’t invest enough time to understand your business.
👉 A better approach: look at value, not just cost. Ask, “How will this agency help me generate leads or sales?” not just, “How many posts will they schedule?”
2. Not Defining Clear Goals
Many companies hire an agency simply to “do social media.” That’s too vague. If you don’t define success, you won’t know if the partnership is working.
👉 Instead, set specific goals. For example:
Increase leads from Facebook ads by 25% in six months
Improve LinkedIn engagement from industry decision-makers
Drive 1,000 new visitors to the website per month
Clear goals create accountability on both sides.
3. Ignoring the Agency’s Process
Every good agency should have a process for strategy, content creation, approvals, reporting, and communication. Yet many businesses sign contracts without asking what that process looks like.
👉 Before you sign, ask:
How do you research my industry and audience?
How do you create and approve content?
How often will I see reports?
Who is my main point of contact?
If an agency can’t answer these questions confidently, think twice.
4. Focusing Only on Vanity Metrics
Lots of followers and likes look good on paper, but they don’t always drive revenue. Too many companies (and agencies) stop at surface-level metrics without showing the real business impact.
👉 Ask your agency to connect the dots between activity and outcomes. Likes and comments are fine, but what you really want to know is:
Are we generating leads?
Are those leads converting into customers?
Is the return on ad spend increasing?
5. Forgetting It’s a Partnership
Hiring an agency isn’t a “set and forget” solution. If you expect them to magically know your brand, tone, and customer challenges without your input, you’ll be disappointed.
👉 The most successful partnerships are collaborative. Share insights from your sales team. Provide quick feedback on drafts. Let them know about upcoming promotions or industry changes. The more you invest in the relationship, the better the results.
Final Thought
Hiring a social media agency can transform your marketing, but only if you avoid these common mistakes. Choose based on value, set clear goals, understand their process, focus on results that matter, and commit to the partnership.
If you get these right, your agency won’t just post content. They’ll help you win attention, build trust, and grow your business.
---
Comments