5 Red Flags to Watch Out for When Hiring an Ads Expert đźš©
Let’s be real—hiring someone to run your ads can be scary. It’s a big investment, and you want to make sure you’re picking the right person to help grow your business. There are plenty of options out there, but not all of them are great. In fact, some agencies and freelancers will do more harm than good. That’s why I’m writing this—to help you spot the red flags and avoid potential disasters.
I’ve seen first-hand how powerful ads can be, and I want you to have that experience too. But I’m not the right ads person for everyone, and by the end of this post, you’ll know why.
Now, let’s get into the red flags to watch out for!
Red Flag #1: they run ads through their ads manager
Here’s the deal—if an agency insists on running your ads through their Ads Manager, that’s a huge red flag. Why? Because it means they would own all your data. And worse, they’ll use that data improve future campaigns for other clients, while you’re left in the dark.
If you part ways, you would lose all your data and have to start from scratch.
How I Do It: When I work with clients, everything is run through their own Ads Manager account. You keep your data, and you can see all the numbers, real-time. That way, if we ever stop working together, you’re not left hanging. It’s so important to own your own data, and that goes for ads as well.
Red Flag #2: they say you need to spend €1k a day from the start
This is a huge one. If someone tells you upfront that you need to spend €1,000 per day to get results, RUN. The truth is, ads always require testing in the beginning—testing creatives, audiences, copy, landing pages, and more. Spending a huge budget from the start is a recipe for wasting money. It’s better to start with a smaller daily budget (around €10-150) and scale up once you know what works.
When clients come to me, I start with a testing phase to see what resonates with their audience. Then, once we’ve got winning elements, we scale the ad spend to maximize results. No crazy budgets from day one!
Red Flag #3: they promise you results
If an ads expert promises you specific results, they might not be a person you want to work with. Every business and offer is different, and no one can guarantee results right out of the gate. The reality is, you need to run ads and test things before knowing what results are possible for you.
Do you guarantee results in your business? Most likely you cannot predict the future either and cannot make this kind of promise to your clients. No serious ads expert will promise you results. I give my clients an honest breakdown of the process, the testing phase, and what we’ll aim for based on their goals. Then we let the data guide us, rather than making empty promises.
Red Flag #4: they run ads for every industry under the sun
Unless you’re dealing with a huge agency with specialized teams for every industry, chances are, they’re not experts in all fields. Running ads for a local brick-and-mortar is very different from running ads for an online business. There’s no one-size-fits-all strategy.
I for example, specialize in running ads for online entrepreneurs and course creators. So, if you’re looking to grow your 1:1 client base, fill up a program, or sell your digital products, I’ve got you covered. But if you’re a dentist office for example...well, let’s just say I’m not the best fit. (Also, I’m terrified of the dentist, so that’s probably not a good start either.)
Red Flag #5: they’re not transparent with numbers, don’t communicate and only share optimization after the campaign
This one’s a triple red flag. If an agency won’t give you clear data, goes dark during the campaign, or waits until the end to tell you what could’ve been optimized, that’s a problem. You should have access to real-time insights and the opportunity to make adjustments during the campaign, not afterward when it’s too late.
You want to hear from your ads person at least on a weekly basis. I set up a Slack channel for all my clients, where they can reach me Monday through Friday. I’m in constant communication throughout the campaign, sharing wins, updates, and areas to optimize. I believe in transparency, and I want my clients to always know what’s going on and where we can make improvements.
Final thoughts & key takeaways
Hiring the right ads expert is key to scaling your business, but it’s important to choose wisely. Avoid agencies that keep your data, push unrealistic budgets, make promises they can’t keep, claim expertise in every industry, and leave you in the dark during campaigns.
When done correctly, ads are an incredible tool to grow your business and reach new heights. Just like with anything else, finding the right person to work with is essential to getting the results you want. Make sure whoever you choose is a good fit for your business, your goals, and your budget.
Happy ad hunting!
