Hiring a digital marketing agency is a big decision. The right agency can elevate your brand, drive real growth, and help you stay ahead of fast-moving platforms like TikTok. The wrong one can waste time, budget, and momentum.

If you’re a brand researching questions to ask before hiring a digital marketing agency, chances are you’re looking for more than flashy promises; you want a partner you can trust.

This guide breaks down the most important questions you should ask before signing a contract, with a focus on top marketing priorities such as influencer marketing, content creation, and social media management, especially on TikTok.

1. Do they understand your goals?

Before tactics come strategy.

Ask:

• How do you approach learning a new brand?
• How do you align marketing efforts with business goals?
• Can you explain your strategy in plain language?

A strong marketing agency doesn’t jump straight into trends or platforms. They take time to understand:

• Your audience
• Your positioning
• Your short and long-term goals

If an agency immediately pushes a one-size-fits-all package, that’s a red flag.

2. What is their experience with influencers?

Influencer marketing has evolved far beyond sponsored Instagram posts. Today, it’s about creator-led storytelling, trust, and platform-native content, especially on TikTok.

Key questions to ask:

• How do you source and vet influencers or creators?
• How do you measure influencer performance beyond vanity metrics?
• Do you manage outreach, contracts, and usage rights?

A credible agency should understand:

• Creator-brand alignment
• Authentic integrations (not forced ads)
• How and when to repurpose influencer content across paid and organic channels

The best agencies treat creators as creative partners, not just media placements.

3. How strong is their creation capability?

Content is the backbone of modern marketing. Without consistent, high-quality content, even the best ad strategy will fail.

Ask:

• Do you create content in-house or outsource it?
• What types of content do you specialise in?
• Can you show examples of platform-specific content?

Look for an agency that understands:

• Short-form video (especially TikTok-style content)
• Brand storytelling vs. direct-response content
• Trends, hooks, and audience behavior

The right creative marketing agency should know how to create content that feels native, not overly polished or outdated.

4. What is their approach to management?

Social media management is no longer just posting and scheduling. It’s about community, culture, and consistency.

Important questions:

• Which platforms do you specialise in?
• How do you stay ahead of trends?
• How do you adapt brand voice for each platform?

Why TikTok deserves special attention

TikTok is one of the most powerful discovery platforms today, but it requires a completely different approach than Instagram or Facebook.

A capable agency should:

• Understand TikTok trends and messaging style.
• Know how to balance trend participation with brand identity.
• Be comfortable testing, iterating, and moving fast.
• Track performance based on watch time, saves, shares, and conversions.

If an agency treats TikTok like just another posting channel, they likely don’t understand it well enough.

5. How do they measure/report results? 

Transparency builds trust.

Ask:

• What KPIs do you track based on our goals?
• How often will we receive reports?
• How do you connect marketing performance to business outcomes?

The right marketing agency focuses on:

• Clear metrics tied to your goals
• Honest performance insights (not just wins)
• Continuous optimisation, not set-it-and-forget-it campaigns

You should never feel confused about what’s working and why during your partnership.

6. What does collaboration look like?

Your agency should feel like an extension of your team.

Ask:

• Who will be our day-to-day contact?
• How do you handle feedback and revisions?
• How often do we meet or check in?

Strong agencies prioritise:

• Clear communication
• Collaborative workflows
• Flexibility check-ins based on your needs

Trust is built through responsiveness and consistency, not just creative output.

7. Can they grow with you?

Your marketing needs today may look very different six months from now.

Ask:

• How do you scale campaigns as brands grow?
• Can you support new platforms, launches, or markets?
• Do you adapt strategies based on performance data?

The best creative marketing agencies are not locked into rigid processes. They evolve alongside your brand and adjust strategies as platforms, audiences, and goals change.

Choosing a marketing agency you can trust

When asking questions before hiring a marketing agency, pay attention not just to what they say, but how they say it.

Look for:

• Clear thinking, not buzzwords
• Platform expertise, especially in TikTok and influencer marketing
• Strong creative instincts paired with data-driven strategy
• Transparency, collaboration, and long-term vision

A great agency doesn’t just execute campaigns; they help build brands people actually care about.

We Are SNS: A marketing partner you can trust

At our core, we’re a creative marketing agency built for modern brands that want more than surface-level growth. We specialise in influencer marketing, content creation, and social media management, with a deep understanding of platforms like TikTok, where culture, creativity, and performance intersect.

We believe great marketing starts with listening, understanding your brand, your audience, and your goals, then building strategies that feel authentic, flexible, and effective. Whether it’s collaborating with creators, producing scroll-stopping content, or managing social channels with intention, we work as an extension of your team, not just another vendor.

 

Let’s Talk

If you’re exploring your options, asking the right questions, or simply need guidance on where to start, we’re here to help. Reach out to us anytime, we’re always happy to support, share insights, or talk through what’s possible for your brand.

Sometimes the best partnerships start with a conversation.