Strategy Guide
January 15, 2025
13 min read
ThatFakeAgency Team
How to Replace Marketing Agency: Complete Guide to Getting Better Results for 70% Less
Your marketing agency charges $15K-50K/month but delivers slow results and hidden fees. Here's the complete step-by-step guide to replacing them with alternatives that work better, faster, and cost 70% less.
TL;DR
- • Most agencies can be replaced with 70% cost savings
- • Key steps: Audit current work, find alternatives, transition smoothly
- • Best alternatives: Fixed-price services, freelancers, in-house
- • Transition timeline: 2-4 weeks for smooth handoff
- • You'll get faster delivery and full ownership
Why Replace Your Marketing Agency?
If you're reading this, you're probably frustrated with your current agency. Here are the most common reasons businesses replace their marketing agencies:
Too Expensive
High ImpactMonthly retainers keep growing with hidden fees
Too Slow
High Impact3-6 month timelines kill business momentum
Poor Communication
Medium ImpactAccount managers create barriers, not bridges
No Ownership
High ImpactYou're just licensing work, not owning it
Scope Creep
High ImpactEvery change costs extra, budgets explode
Long Contracts
Medium ImpactTrapped in 6-12 month commitments
Step 1: Audit Your Current Agency Work
Before replacing your agency, understand exactly what they're doing and what it's costing you:
1. Document All Deliverables
- →List every piece of work they've delivered
- →Track timelines for each project
- →Note quality and revision rounds
- →Document communication frequency
2. Calculate True Costs
- →Monthly retainer + all extra fees
- →Scope creep charges over time
- →Rush fees and revision costs
- →Opportunity cost of delays
3. Assess Value Delivered
- →What results did you actually get?
- →How much did each deliverable cost?
- →What would it cost elsewhere?
- →What's the ROI on their work?
4. Identify Pain Points
- →Where do delays happen?
- →What causes extra charges?
- →Which deliverables disappoint?
- →What communication issues exist?
Step 2: Choose Your Replacement Strategy
There are several ways to replace your agency. Choose based on your needs, budget, and timeline:
Fixed-Price Marketing Service
$3,995-7,995/month✓ Pros:
- • Predictable costs
- • Fast delivery
- • Full ownership
- • No contracts
✗ Cons:
- • Less customization
- • May not scale
Best for: Most businesses
Freelancer Network
$2,000-8,000/month✓ Pros:
- • Lower costs
- • Direct communication
- • Flexible
✗ Cons:
- • Quality varies
- • Management overhead
- • Availability issues
Best for: Small teams
In-House Team
$8,000-15,000/month✓ Pros:
- • Full control
- • Dedicated focus
- • Cultural fit
✗ Cons:
- • High fixed costs
- • Recruitment time
- • Management overhead
Best for: Large companies
Hybrid Approach
Variable✓ Pros:
- • Best of both worlds
- • Flexible scaling
- • Cost control
✗ Cons:
- • Complex management
- • Coordination overhead
Best for: Growing companies
Step 3: Find and Evaluate Alternatives
Once you've chosen your strategy, here's how to find the right replacement:
1. Where do you find alternatives?
- →Referrals from other businesses
- →Industry directories and reviews
- →Freelancer platforms (Upwork, Fiverr)
- →Professional networks and communities
- →Google search for specific services
2. How do you evaluate them?
- →Portfolio quality and relevance
- →Client testimonials and case studies
- →Pricing transparency and structure
- →Communication style and responsiveness
- →Timeline and delivery promises
3. What questions should you ask?
- →What's included vs what costs extra?
- →What's your typical timeline?
- →Do I own all the work you create?
- →Can I pause or cancel anytime?
- →What happens if you miss deadlines?
4. How do you test them?
- →Start with a small project
- →Test their communication
- →Evaluate quality and speed
- →Check ownership and file delivery
- →Assess overall experience
Step 4: Plan the Transition
A smooth transition is crucial to avoid gaps in your marketing. Here's how to do it:
2-Week Transition Timeline:
Week 1
Start new provider with small project, gather all assets from current agency
Test new provider, inventory current work
Week 2
Complete transition, ensure all files transferred, cancel agency contract
Full handoff complete, agency replaced
Step 5: Handle the Contract Termination
1. Review your contract
- →Check termination clauses
- →Look for notice requirements
- →Identify any penalties
- →Understand asset ownership
2. Give proper notice
- →Follow contract requirements
- →Give written notice
- →Specify end date clearly
- →Request final deliverables
3. Secure your assets
- →Request all source files
- →Get login credentials
- →Download all work
- →Ensure you own everything
4. Handle the relationship
- →Be professional and respectful
- →Pay final invoices
- →Request references if needed
- →Leave door open for future
Common Mistakes to Avoid
🚩 Rushing the transition
Leads to gaps and poor quality work
🚩 Not securing assets first
Agency might hold files hostage
🚩 Choosing cheapest option
Quality suffers, costs more long-term
🚩 No backup plan
What if new provider doesn't work out?
🚩 Burning bridges
You might need them again someday
🚩 Not testing first
Commit to someone without verifying quality
Success Metrics: How to Know It's Working
Track These Metrics:
✓ Cost Savings:
- Monthly cost reduction
- Elimination of hidden fees
- No more scope creep charges
✓ Speed Improvements:
- Faster project delivery
- Quicker revisions
- Better responsiveness
✓ Quality & Control:
- Better communication
- Full asset ownership
- More predictable outcomes
Ready to Replace Your Agency?
Get professional marketing work for 70% less than agencies. Fixed pricing, fast delivery, full ownership—no surprises.