Let’s just say it. Most marketing agencies have earned their bad reputation.
We hear it all the time. Clients come to us burned out, frustrated, and suspicious. And we don’t blame them. The agency world is filled with empty promises, slick presentations, and surface-level solutions.
We’ve been in this business long enough to know: marketing agencies often make it hard to trust marketing agencies.
Here are five reasons people hate marketing agencies.
1. They Make Promises They Can’t Keep
Many agencies will say anything to close a deal. “We’ll double your leads in 30 days.” “We’ll get you on the first page of Google in 3 months.”
Sound familiar?
The truth is, marketing isn’t magic. It’s hard work. It’s testing, refining, and adapting. Marketing is a highly dynamic environment where competitors exist, technology changes, and consumers evolve.
It is a proverbial horse race. One day you’re in the lead. Next thing you’re at the back of the pack. You’re constantly working to keep moving forward.
At Divining Point, we don’t sell guarantees we can’t control. We promise to work alongside you with a data-driven strategy and relentless focus. No shortcuts. No hype. Just real progress.
2. They Don’t Communicate
Once you sign the contract, you get passed off. Now you’re stuck with an account manager who barely knows your business and only shows up when it’s time to upsell.
Agencies are notorious for failing to update you on the most important information you need to know. You’re left in the dark about campaign performance, budget usage, or why certain results aren’t showing up. Maybe you get a vague report once a month. Maybe not. When something goes wrong, they either hide it or hope you don’t notice.
That’s not how we operate. We bring you into the process. We speak plainly, show our work, and keep you updated with reports that actually mean something. When you have a question, we answer. When something’s not working, we tell you. No dodging. No disappearing acts.
3. They Hide Behind a Curtain
Too many agencies operate in the dark. They make important decisions without talking to you first. They manage your ad spend without clarity. They leave you wondering what’s really going on.
Want to know how your agency did something? They deflect.
Want to know why your performance fell behind? They’ll make vague excuses without any data to support it.
At Divining Point, we pull back the curtain. You’ll know how much you’re spending, what we’re doing with it, and why. We walk you through the strategy and show you the results. The good, bad, or in progress. No mystery. Just transparency and as much data as we can find to validate our actions.
4. They Push the Same Tired Playbook
Some agencies have one tool in their belt, and they use it on everything. No matter your problem, the answer is always the same: do more of what they’re selling.
That’s lazy. And it’s wrong.
It’s a cynical ploy to help them close more deals. It’s also a cover-up for their deficiencies.
We take a full-service approach. We match the method to the mission. We also have vast experience in sales and operations, so we understand your business beyond just clicks and impressions. But if something’s outside our scope, we’ll tell you right away and help you find the best path forward.
5. They Tell You What You Want to Hear
Too many agencies say yes to everything. Yes, to keep the peace. Yes, to win more hours. Yes, even when they know it won’t work. They avoid conflict and tell clients what they want to hear. Until the results fall apart.
We don’t do that.
We believe honesty is a requirement, not a risk. If something’s broken, we’ll tell you. If your idea won’t work, we’ll explain why. We won’t say no just to be difficult. We’ll say no when we know it’s the right answer.
You’re hiring us for our expertise, not to nod along. That means tough conversations when they’re needed, and the straight truth even when it’s not what you expected. Because the only way to build real results is by being real with each other.
Marketing Shouldn’t Feel Like a Gamble
If you’re ready for a marketing partner who leads with honesty and delivers with grit, we’re ready to talk. Let’s have an honest conversation about what your business really needs and how we can help you get there. Contact us today, and let’s get to work.