Agency Hiring Advisor

A deeper look at smarter agency hiring

Most agency hiring mistakes don’t happen because of one bad decision.
They happen because of a hundred tiny misreads—and no one catching them in time.

When you work with me, you’re not just avoiding the obvious mistakes.
You’re getting senior-level insight into the hidden risks, strategic gaps, and structural issues that can quietly cost you thousands—or worse, stall your momentum when you need it most.

Here’s what I help you with:

Smarter shortlisting that saves months of risk

One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is who they invite to the table.

If your shortlist is built on Google searches and gut feelings, you’re already gambling.

I help you build smarter agency shortlists by:

• Screening for true strategic fit—not just portfolio polish
• Evaluating cultural compatibility (how they work, not just what they sell)
• Aligning agency specialties to your actual goals (not just “can they build a website”)

This approach alone can save you 6–12 months of wasted time and money chasing the wrong partner.

Small difference early = massive savings later.

Decoding agency proposals beyond the surface

Proposals aren’t designed to tell you the truth.

They’re designed to sell you a dream—and leave the risks blurry.

I help you read proposals the right way:

• Spotting where deliverables are fuzzy or unenforceable
• Catching timeline promises that are mathematically impossible
• Highlighting hidden assumptions that could explode scope or costs later

I don’t just ask, “Does this sound good?”
I ask:

• “What’s missing?”
• “What’s implied but not stated?”
• “Where are you exposed if things go sideways?”

Most businesses don’t realize they’re signing away leverage until it’s too late. I’ll help you see the real game—and negotiate smarter from day one.

“Rodney really got to know my product, put a plan together, and did an incredible job bringing everything together. I’ve worked with a lot of people, and he did an outstanding job throughout the entire process.”

— Kevin DeMeritt, Founder, 2X Solutions

Spotting operational risks before they become disasters

Most agencies sound great in a pitch deck.

But not all of them are built to survive real growth, scope change, or operational pressure.

I help you evaluate what really matters:

• Team structure (is it all outsourced contractors?)
• Process maturity (how do they handle feedback loops, pivots, and collaboration?)
• Scalability (can they keep pace if your needs triple in six months?)

A lot of agency relationships start smooth—and collapse under stress. I’ll help you pressure-test their ability to deliver, before you sign anything.

Negotiating the right scope and relationship, not just the lowest price

The biggest hidden danger in hiring an agency isn’t price.
It’s misalignment: unclear scope, vague deliverables, or contract terms that leave you stuck.

I help you:

• Set clear, accountable success metrics into the contract
• Protect your exit options if things go wrong
• Structure payment terms that motivate performance, not complacency

Agencies respect sharp clients.

Negotiating well actually improves the relationship—and helps you get their A-team, not their B-team.

“Rodney skillfully revised my website and carefully guided me with SEO. He’s attentive to detail, considerate of budget, and really helped me get the most for my investment.”

— Ron Nathan, Ron Nathan Interiors

Building resilient agency relationships that survive scaling, turnover, and growth

Hiring an agency is the start of a relationship—not a transaction.

I’ll help you:

• Set up early feedback loops (before small problems become big ones)
• Define reporting structures and strategic check-ins
• Create a culture of collaboration without letting standards slide

The best agency partnerships aren’t the ones that look perfect on paper. They’re the ones built on clear expectations, strong systems, and mutual respect.

Get that foundation right, and you’ll create a relationship that compounds your growth—not just fulfills a scope.

“As a busy attorney running my own practice, I had worked with so many SEO ‘professionals’ who just took my money. Finding Rodney restored my faith. He was professional, timely, fairly priced, transparent—and he actually delivered real results.”

— Bret Royle, Feldman Royle, Attorneys at Law