Look, I’ve been in this game a long time. I’ve sat in the boardroom meetings with the big city agencies and I’ve sat in the sheds of blokes running three-man plumbing teams.
There’s one thing that stays the same: most business owners feel like they’re being taken for a ride by their marketing people.
And honestly? A lot of the time, they are.
I’m not saying every agency is out to get you. Most of them are just caught up in their own jargon and fancy metrics that don’t actually mean a thing for your bank account. But if you’re writing a cheque every month and you aren’t seeing more phone calls or more jobs on the books, something is wrong.
We’ve seen it all at Local Marketing Group. We’ve had clients come to us after spending fifty grand on a "brand refresh" that didn't even include a phone number on the homepage. It’s madness.
So, let’s pull back the curtain. If you’re hearing any of this stuff from your agency, it’s time to start asking some very pointed questions.
1. They talk about "Brand Awareness" but not sales
This is the biggest red flag in the book. If you ask your agency how things are going and they start talking about "impressions," "reach," or "brand sentiment," you should probably check your wallet.
Look, I get it. People need to know you exist. But awareness doesn’t pay the wages. You can’t go to the bank and deposit "brand awareness."
For a small business in Brisbane—whether you’re a sparky in Chermside or an accountant in Milton—marketing has one job: to get the phone to ring.
If they can’t show you how their work leads to a booking or a sale, they’re just playing with your money. A real strategy should focus on how you win more jobs by standing out from the bloke down the road who’s undercutting your prices.
2. The reports look like NASA flight data
I’ve seen reports from agencies that are 40 pages long. They’ve got graphs, heatmaps, and acronyms that would make a tech nerd’s head spin.
Here’s a secret: they do that to confuse you. If they can bury the lack of results under a mountain of data, you’ll keep paying because you think they’re doing something "advanced."
In my experience, a good marketing report should fit on one page. It should tell you: - How much you spent. - How many people called or emailed. - How much each lead cost you.
That’s it. If they’re spending more time making the report look pretty than they are making your phone ring, they’re bullshitting you.
3. They say "It takes 6 to 12 months to see anything"
This is a classic line used to buy time when they don’t know what they’re doing.
Now, don’t get me wrong. Some things—like getting to the top of Google naturally—do take time. You aren’t going to dominate the search results overnight.
But you should see something happening within the first 30 to 60 days. You should see a lift in enquiries. You should see better quality leads.
If you’re six months in and your business looks exactly the same as it did the day you signed the contract, you aren't "investing in the future." You’re just subsidising their office espresso machine.
4. They’re obsessed with your logo and not your message
I’ve met so many owners who spent five grand on a logo that looks like every other logo in their industry. The agency told them it was "minimalist" and "modern."
Who cares?
Your logo doesn't sell your services. Your message does. If your agency is spending weeks debating the shade of blue in your header but hasn't spent five minutes talking about why a customer should pick you over the competition, they’ve got their priorities backwards.
Sometimes, the problem starts right at the beginning. If you’re struggling, it might be that even choosing a business name was done without thinking about how people actually search for what you do. An agency should be able to spot those fundamental flaws, not just put a fresh coat of paint on a sinking ship.
5. They don't know your numbers
If I ask an agency "What’s the profit margin on my client’s most popular service?" and they don't know, they can't do their job.
Marketing isn’t just about getting leads; it’s about getting the right leads. If you’re a builder and you make your best money on full renovations, but your agency is sending you dozens of leads for $500 deck repairs, they’re wasting your time.
They should be asking you: - What jobs do you actually want? - Which ones make you the most money? - Which ones are a pain in the neck?
If they aren't interested in the nuts and bolts of how you make a profit, they’re just throwing spaghetti at the wall.
6. Everything is a "proprietary system"
If an agency tells you they have a "secret sauce" or a "black box" system that no one else has, run.
Marketing isn’t magic. It’s psychology and math. It’s about putting the right offer in front of the right person at the right time.
Usually, when an agency says they have a secret system, it means they’re using some outdated tactic that’s going to get your website banned by Google in six months. Or, it means they’re just using standard tools but want to charge you a premium for the "mystery."
We’re always honest with our clients. We’ll show you exactly what we’re doing. If you want to log in and look at the ads yourself, go for it. If an agency hides behind "proprietary tech," it’s because they don’t want you to see how little they’re actually doing.
7. They won't talk about your reputation
Most agencies focus entirely on "top of funnel" stuff—getting new people to see you.
But what happens when someone sees your ad and then goes to check your reviews? If you’ve got a 2-star rating on Google, no amount of fancy marketing is going to save you.
A good partner will tell you the hard truth. They’ll tell you that your reputation wins jobs and if yours is rubbish, you need to fix that before you spend another cent on ads.
If they just keep taking your money while your Google Business Profile is a graveyard of complaints, they aren't your partner. They’re a parasite.
8. They don't understand the Brisbane market
There’s a big difference between marketing a business in Sydney and marketing one in Brissy. People here are different. We have a lower tolerance for fluff. We want to know who we’re dealing with.
If your agency is based in an Ivory Tower down south and they’re using cookie-cutter templates that sound like they were written by a robot, your local customers will smell it a mile away.
You need someone who knows that a tradie in Ipswich faces different challenges than a boutique in Paddington. If they don't get the local vibe, they won't get the local results.
9. They never say "No"
This might sound weird, but you want an agency that pushes back.
If you come to me and say, "I want to spend ten grand on TikTok ads for my commercial plumbing business," I’m going to tell you you’re dreaming. It’s a waste of money.
A bullshitting agency will say, "Sure thing, boss!" and take your money. They don't care if it works; they just care about the management fee.
You’re paying for expertise. If they just do whatever you say without questioning if it’s actually going to make you money, then you aren't hiring an agency—you’re hiring an expensive pair of hands.
10. The "Set and Forget" Trap
Marketing isn't a slow cooker. You can't just set it and come back in a year.
The market changes. Competitors move into your area. Google changes the rules.
If you haven't heard from your agency in three months, but the invoice keeps showing up like clockwork, they’ve put you on autopilot. They’re doing the bare minimum to keep the lights on while they focus on signing their next client.
How to fix it
So, what do you do if you think you’re being fed a load of tripe?
First, have a straight-up conversation. Ask them: "How many actual jobs did we get from your work last month?"
If they can’t answer, or if they start talking about "engagement metrics," tell them that’s not good enough.
Second, look at your own numbers. Don't look at their reports. Look at your bank account and your phone logs. If the marketing is working, you’ll feel it in the business. You’ll be busier. Your staff will be flat out.
Third, don't be afraid to walk away. I know it’s a pain to switch. I know you’ve probably spent a lot of time and money getting things set up. But throwing good money after bad is the fastest way to go broke.
At the end of the day, marketing is an investment. Like any investment, it needs to show a return. If it’s just an expense that keeps getting bigger while your business stays the same size, it’s time to cut the cord.
If you want a second opinion on what’s actually happening with your marketing—without the jargon and the fluff—give us a yell. We’ll tell you straight if you’re onto a winner or if you’re being taken for a ride.
No buzzwords. No bullshit. Just more jobs.