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Not all agencies are built for partnership.

Some churn through clients, offering flashy decks and big promises but falling short on follow-through. Others invest in long-term relationships, becoming an extension of your team, adapting with your needs, and delivering results that compound over time.

The problem? On paper, these agencies can look remarkably similar. Similar portfolios, similar billings, similar buzzwords.

That’s why asking the right questions matters.

At YMC, we believe in transparency, trust, and strategic alignment—and we think every organization deserves an agency that shares those values. So we’ve created a checklist of questions you can use to get past the pitch and into the substance.

Whether you’re hiring for a brand refresh, a new website, or ongoing marketing support, these questions will help you find a partner, not just a provider.

Section 1: Strategic Alignment

  • What kinds of clients or industries do you typically work with?
    Make sure their experience maps to your world—or at least your complexity.

  • How do you get up to speed on a new client’s brand, goals, and audience?
    A thoughtful discovery process is often a good predictor of long-term fit.

  • Can you share examples of how you’ve helped clients evolve over time?
    Look for answers that go beyond a single project.

  • How do you define success for your clients?
    This tells you whether they’re focused on metrics, aesthetics, or business outcomes—and whether that aligns with your needs.

Section 2: Collaboration & Communication

  • How often will we meet, and what’s your typical cadence for communication?
    You want someone who fits your working style, not one you need to chase down.
  • How often will we meet, and what’s your typical cadence for communication?
    You want someone who fits your working style, not one you need to chase down.
  • How do you handle feedback and revisions?
    This will tell you if they see collaboration as a hassle or part of the creative process.
  • What project management tools or systems do you use?
    A reliable process can make or break even the best ideas.

Section 3: Capabilities & Execution

  • What services do you provide in-house vs. outsource?
    This helps set realistic expectations on speed, consistency, and quality.
  • Can you walk me through a recent project—from brief to delivery?
    You’re looking for process maturity, not just portfolio polish.
  • How do you handle tight timelines or shifting priorities?
    Agility matters more than ever, especially for growing or fast-moving organizations.
  • Do you offer ongoing support after a project ends?
    A long-term partner should be there when needs evolve.

Section 4: Values & Longevity

  • What does a successful long-term client relationship look like to you?
    Their answer should sound more like a partnership and less like a transaction.
  • What’s your client retention rate?
    High churn might mean something’s broken.
  • Why do clients typically stay with you?
    This will reveal their strengths—whether it’s results, relationships, or reliability.

Hiring an agency is a big decision. The right partner can elevate your brand, bring clarity to your strategy, and deliver work that not only performs—but lasts.

The key is to look beyond the portfolio and ask the questions that reveal how an agency really works, how they treat their clients, and whether they’re ready to grow with you—not just bill you.

And if you’re ready to have that kind of conversation, we’d love to talk.

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Ben Huizinga

With over a decade of agency and in-house experience, Ben Huizinga is a creative and brand strategist focused on building brands that endure—crafting identities that make meaningful connections and stand the test of time. As Director of Brand and Creative at Young Marketing Consulting, Ben blends hands-on execution with high-level strategic thinking, helping organizations align their vision with the right voice, visuals, and experiences. He is also an experienced website architect, specializing in the development of beautiful, easy-to-use WordPress, Drupal, and Webflow sites that bring brands to life online. His work has shaped leading brands across the sustainability, technology, and nonprofit sectors—including Geothermal Rising, Echo Communications, and Bonterra, one of the world’s largest social good technology companies.

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