How Marketing Strategies, Inc. Works and What to Know Before You Contact Them

Marketing Strategies, Inc. is a full-service advertising agency based in South Carolina

Marketing Strategies, Inc. is an advertising firm that works with businesses across South Carolina to develop campaigns, manage media placement, and build brand presence. The company offers services ranging from strategy and creative development to media buying and campaign management. They work with clients in various industries, from retail and hospitality to professional services and nonprofits.

If you are a business owner or marketing director looking to understand what a full-service agency does, or considering whether to work with an agency like this one, this guide explains the typical services they offer, how agency relationships work, and what questions to ask before you start.

Key Takeaways

• Full-service agencies like Marketing Strategies, Inc. handle strategy, creative work, media buying, and campaign management under one roof, rather than requiring you to hire separate vendors.
• Most agencies charge either a monthly retainer, a project fee, or a percentage of your media spend, depending on the scope of work and your agreement.
• Before contacting an agency, have a clear sense of your budget, your business goals, and what results you want to measure.
• Agencies typically start with a discovery process to understand your business, competitors, and target audience before recommending a strategy.
• The relationship works best when you and the agency agree on roles, timelines, and how success will be measured.

What services a full-service advertising agency typically provides

A full-service agency like Marketing Strategies, Inc. usually offers several layers of work. Strategy and planning means the agency researches your industry, your competitors, and your target audience, then recommends which channels and messages will reach the right people. Creative services include copywriting, graphic design, video production, and web design. Media buying means the agency purchases ad space on behalf of your business—on social media platforms, search engines, websites, radio, television, or print publications.

Campaign management is the ongoing work of launching ads, monitoring performance, adjusting targeting or messaging based on results, and reporting back to you on what is working. Some agencies also offer public relations, event marketing, or content creation as add-on services. The advantage of working with one agency for multiple services is coordination—your social media campaign, your email marketing, and your paid ads all reinforce the same message and brand look.

How agencies charge for their work

Advertising agencies use several pricing models, and the one you negotiate depends on the scope of work and your relationship. A monthly retainer is a flat fee you pay each month for a set number of hours or a defined scope of work—for example, $3,000 per month for strategy, creative development, and campaign management. A project fee is a one-time charge for a specific deliverable, such as a new website design or a single campaign launch.

Media spend percentage means the agency takes a commission—often 10 to 15 percent—on the total amount you spend on ads through them. Some agencies use a hybrid model: a retainer for strategy and creative work, plus a percentage of media spend. Before you meet with an agency, think about your budget and whether you prefer predictable monthly costs or a model tied to how much you spend on advertising. Ask the agency to explain their pricing in writing so there are no surprises.

The discovery and planning phase

When you first contact an advertising agency, expect them to ask detailed questions about your business before they propose a strategy. This discovery phase typically includes conversations about your business goals (growing revenue, building brand awareness, launching a new product), your target customer (age, location, interests, buying habits), your budget, and your timeline. The agency will also research your competitors and the advertising landscape in your industry.

This phase usually takes one to four weeks and may involve meetings with you, your team, and sometimes your customers or sales staff. The agency will then present a strategy document or proposal that outlines their recommended approach, the channels they suggest, the creative direction, and the timeline and cost. This is your chance to ask questions, request changes, and make sure you and the agency are aligned before work begins.

What to prepare before you contact an agency

You will have a more productive conversation with an agency if you come prepared. Write down your business goals in specific terms: "increase online sales by 25 percent in the next year" is clearer than "grow the business." Identify your target customer as specifically as you can—not just "women" but "women aged 35 to 55 in the Midlands who own small businesses." Gather information about your budget: do you have $5,000 per month to spend, or $50,000? Are you looking for a one-time campaign or ongoing marketing?

Collect examples of advertising you like—competitor ads, campaigns from other industries, anything that resonates with you. Bring your website, your social media accounts, and any past marketing materials so the agency can see what you have already done. If you have customer data, sales information, or past campaign results, share those too. The more the agency knows about your business, the better their recommendations will be.

Questions to ask before you sign an agreement

Before you commit to working with an agency, clarify these points in writing. Who owns the creative work—the ads, the website, the copy—once the project is done? (Most agencies transfer ownership to you, but confirm this.) How often will you receive reports on campaign performance, and what metrics will they track? What happens if you want to end the relationship—is there a contract term, and what is the notice period?

Ask how the agency handles revisions: do you get unlimited rounds of changes, or a set number included in the fee? Who is your main point of contact, and how quickly do they respond to questions? If the agency uses subcontractors (for example, a video production company or a web developer), will you work with them directly or through the agency? What happens to your campaigns and accounts if the agency closes or you switch agencies—can they transfer everything smoothly?

How to measure whether the relationship is working

Success in advertising depends on clear agreement about what you are measuring. Before the campaign launches, decide together what metrics matter: website traffic, leads generated, sales, social media followers, email signups, or brand awareness. The agency should provide regular reports showing these numbers and explaining what is driving results. If a campaign is not performing, ask the agency what they recommend changing and why.

A good agency relationship includes honest conversation about what is working and what is not. If results are consistently below expectations, discuss whether the strategy needs adjustment, the budget needs to increase, or the timeline needs to extend. Some campaigns take time to build momentum. Others need to pivot quickly. The key is that you and the agency are looking at the same data and making decisions together based on what you see.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it usually take to see results from an advertising campaign?

It depends on the channel and your goal. Paid search ads (Google Ads) can drive traffic within days. Social media and display ads often take two to four weeks to show clear patterns. Brand awareness campaigns may take months to show measurable results. Your agency should set realistic timelines based on your industry and budget during the planning phase.

What if I already have a website or social media accounts?

Most agencies will work with what you have and improve it, or they may recommend rebuilding parts of it if it is outdated or not performing well. Discuss this during discovery. Some agencies include website updates or social media management in their retainer; others charge separately. Be clear about what you want them to manage and what you will handle yourself.

Can I work with an agency part-time or just for one campaign?

Yes. Many agencies offer project-based work for a single campaign or a limited engagement. You might hire them for three months to launch a new product, then pause the relationship. Discuss the terms upfront so you both understand the commitment and what happens when the project ends.

What if I am not happy with the work the agency is producing?

Speak up early. Share your concerns in writing and ask for a meeting to discuss. Most agencies will revise work or adjust strategy if you are not satisfied, especially early in the relationship. If the problems persist and you cannot resolve them, review your contract to understand the exit terms and next steps.

Do I need to hire an agency, or can I do this myself?

That depends on your time, skills, and budget. Running campaigns yourself saves money but requires you to learn platforms, stay current with changes, and manage everything. An agency brings expertise, saves you time, and often has better rates with media platforms because of volume. Many small businesses start with DIY marketing and hire an agency later when they are ready to scale.