10 Things to consider before hiring a Social Media Optimization agency
Thinking of hiring a social media optimization agency? That’s a smart decision. But before you sign the deal, it’s important to evaluate a few key factors. Doing so will make your collaboration more effective, transparent, and result-driven in the long run. Let’s explore 10 crucial things you should verify before choosing the right social media agency.
1)Define Your Goals & Expectations
Clarifying business goals and expectations means having a clear vision of what you want to achieve and what results you can realistically expect. Goals are the specific outcomes you’re working toward—such as boosting brand awareness, generating leads, or increasing sales.
By clarifying both, you set direction, create benchmarks for progress, and align everyone on the same page. This also keeps you motivated, reduces disappointments, and ensures better decisions that support your larger vision. For example, one of our b2b client expectations is to create more awareness among the Target Audience(CPAs).
2)Assess the Agency’s Experience & Expertise
When selecting an agency, focus on their proven skills, industry knowledge, and track record. It’s not about flashy pitches—it’s about real results.
Industry Experience
Agencies familiar with your niche understand your audience, competitors, and challenges—saving you time and reducing mistakes.
Example: A b2b Social media optimization agency will serve a SaaS client better than one specializing in retail.
Case Studies & Past Work
Look for portfolios and success stories that show real outcomes (traffic, rankings, conversions). Review how results were achieved.
Questions to Ask:
• Can you share past campaigns?
• What measurable results did you achieve?
• How did you overcome challenges?
Expertise
Experience shows years, expertise shows performance. Strong agencies stay updated with tools and trends.
Team Skills & Diversity
A reliable agency has social media strategists, copywriters, creative designers, etc. part of the social media team.
Red Flags
- Very Cheap costing
- No Creativity
- Big promises without proof
3)Understand Their Services & Deliverables
Scope of Services
Agencies differ—some focus only on SEO, others cover social media, PPC, content, and analytics. Make sure their services align with your goals.
Here at FlyingElephantDigital, we focus on SEO services, Social media optimization services, LinkedIn Ads services, and meta ad services.
Deliverables
Tangible outputs could include:
a)Social Media Content Creation
b)Post/Ad creation
c)Optimizing social media profile
d)Report Creation and analysis
Frequency & Reporting
Ask how often updates arrive—weekly, monthly? Request a sample report to see if it gives insights, not just numbers.
Customization vs. Packages
Fixed packages are cheaper but generic. Custom solutions ensure you only pay for what drives results.
Red Flags
a)Vague service promises
b)No clarity on deliverables
c)No structured reporting
4)Check Their Team & Resources
Behind every strong agency is the right mix of people and tools. Evaluate both carefully before committing.
Team Expertise
Look for a balanced team:
• Strategists for planning
• Content creators (copywriters, designers)
• Paid media experts
• Analysts for reporting
Pro Tip: Confirm who will manage your account—senior staff or juniors. All the campaigns are monitored by our founder weekly.
Workload & Availability
Even skilled teams fail if overbooked. Ensure they have capacity for your project.
Red Flags
• No clarity on account manager
• Outdated or no analytics tools
• No clear process / strategy
5)Review Their Portfolio & Client Results
A good agency proves itself through past work and measurable impact—not just words.
Portfolio Review
• Shows creativity, problem-solving, and style
• Check if they’ve worked with businesses like yours
• Look for variety across platforms and strategies
Client Results
• Case studies, testimonials, and reports matter most
• Validate outcomes: Awareness, community building etc..
• Ask for strategy they adopted and their branding activities
Why It Matters
Portfolios show what they can do; results show how well they do it. Reviewing both helps you spot agencies with proven performance, not just polished presentations.
6)Understand Their Communication & Reporting Process
Strong communication and transparent reporting build trust and clarity.
Communication Flow
• Clarify update frequency—weekly reports, monthly calls, or emails
• Confirm your main point of contact (account manager/project lead)
Reporting Quality
• Reports should cover actions taken, results, and next steps
• Look for insights and recommendations, not just numbers
Why It Matters
Clear updates keep you informed, simplify feedback, and ensure your investment is managed transparently.
7)Discuss Pricing & Contracts
Clear pricing and fair contracts prevent surprises and build trust.
Pricing Structure
• Request a breakdown—service-based, monthly, or project fees. For social media costing, mostly it remains monthly.
• Clarify what’s included and what costs extra
• Compare options to ensure value for money
Contracts
• Define scope, deliverables, deadlines, and payment terms
• Review cancellation policies carefully
• Note contract length—multi-year vs. flexible month-to-month
Why It Matters
Transparent pricing and contracts keep both sides aligned and protect you from hidden fees or unfair terms.
8)Evaluate Their Creativity & Strategy Skills
A great agency blends fresh ideas with smart planning to drive long-term results.
Campaign Ideas
Look for engaging, original campaigns—not recycled templates
Personalized Strategies
Avoid one-size-fits-all tactics; plans should match your goals and audience
Problem-Solving
Ask how they tackle challenges like low engagement or market shifts
Data-Driven Thinking
Strong agencies test, benchmark, and optimize—not guess
Long-Term Vision
Ensure they plan for growth over 6–12 months, not just quick wins
Innovation + Practicality
Creative campaigns should stay realistic and within budget
Why It Matters
Agencies that balance creativity with strategy deliver both impact and sustainable growth.
9)Ensure Cultural & Brand Fit
Even skilled agencies fail without alignment in values, style, and voice.
Shared Values
Agency values should mirror yours (e.g., sustainability, ethics)
Brand Voice
Must replicate your tone—professional, playful, bold, or compassionate
Work Style Compatibility
Their workflow (formal vs. flexible) should match your company culture
Audience Awareness
Understand your audience’s tone, language, and cultural nuances
Collaboration & Chemistry
Team should feel like an extension of yours for smoother communication
Brand Guidelines
Respect your rules (colors, fonts, messaging) without overriding them
10)Ask About Scalability
Your agency should grow with your business—adapting strategies, teams, and tools without losing quality.
Flexible Service Packages
Look for services that scale gradually; avoid rigid, locked packages
Scaling Experience
Request case studies showing how they’ve scaled other businesses
Future Planning
Strong agencies anticipate growth and recommend when to scale
Resource Allocation
Confirm you’ll get more dedicated support as demands increase
Conclusion
Choosing the right social media optimization agency is about finding a trusted partner who understands your vision and drives long-term growth. Define expectations early, review expertise, and confirm they have the right team, tools, and deliverables. Portfolios and proven results matter more than promises. Transparent communication, fair contracts, and cultural alignment ensure smooth collaboration. Finally, pick an agency that can scale with your business.
Choose FlyingElephantDigital to be that partner in your growth journey. We are an affordable social media agency helping b2b brands to grow on social media.
In our experience, when social media optimization combined with social media marketing, it provides great results for brands in the long run.