Hiring a Creative Agency? Questions to Ask

Apr 14

Hiring a Creative Agency: A Checklist and Questions to Ask

Choosing the right creative agency can make or break your brand’s success. Whether you need branding, web design, social media support, or full-scale creative strategy, you’re investing in a partnership that should elevate your business—not frustrate it. But how do you know if an agency is the right fit? Here’s a checklist of key questions to ask before signing on the dotted line.

1. Do They Create Everything Custom or Use Stock Graphics?

Not all creative agencies are built the same. Some rely heavily on stock templates, while others (like us at Treebird Branding) create everything from scratch. If originality and brand distinction matter to you, ask:

Do you design everything custom, or do you use stock templates and graphics?
Can you create illustrations and hand-drawn elements if needed?

Many agencies today don’t have true artists on their team, which limits their ability to bring unique creative visions to life. If you have a specific aesthetic or brand concept in mind, you want a team that can execute without limitations.

2. Do They Adhere to a Specific Style or Customize to Your Brand?

Some agencies have a distinct style that is evident across all their projects, while others tailor their approach to each client’s unique brand identity. Be sure to ask:

Do you have a signature design style, or is every project customized to the client’s brand?
Can you adapt to different aesthetics and brand voices?

If you want a brand identity that is truly yours, you need an agency that can flex its creative muscle rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

3. How Transparent Are They About Pricing and Time Tracking?

Hidden fees and vague estimates are red flags. A professional agency should be upfront about pricing and how they track time spent on your project. Key questions to ask:

How do you track project hours?
Do you provide time reports or project updates?
Are there any additional costs that could come up outside of our agreed-upon budget?

Agencies that track their time effectively (and share that info with clients) show they respect your investment and their own workflow. At Treebird, we prioritize transparency—our clients always know where their project stands.

4. Can They Handle Both Strategy and Execution?

A great creative agency isn’t just a team of designers; they understand brand strategy and how creative decisions impact business growth. Questions to ask:

What’s your process for understanding our brand and business goals?
How do you ensure your creative work aligns with our strategy?
Can you handle both high-level brand positioning and day-to-day content needs?

Some agencies focus purely on execution—cranking out visuals with little regard for long-term brand impact. Make sure you’re working with a team that thinks beyond the brief.

5. Do They Have the Capacity to Take on Your Project?

It’s important to work with an agency that has the bandwidth to give your project the attention it deserves. Ask:

How many projects are you currently working on?
Do you have the capacity to take on this project within our timeline?
Who will be working on our project, and what is their availability?

An overextended agency can lead to missed deadlines and a lack of attention to detail—things you don’t want when investing in your brand.

6. Do They Meet Their Deadlines? Can Clients Speak to That?

Deadlines matter. A great agency doesn’t just promise—they deliver. To ensure reliability, ask:

Can you share examples of projects completed on time?
What’s your track record for meeting deadlines?
Do you have clients who can speak to your reliability?

A trustworthy agency should have no problem providing references or testimonials that reinforce their ability to stay on track.

7. What’s Their Track Record?

Experience matters. Before hiring, do your homework on their past work and client relationships. Ask:

Can you share case studies or past projects similar to ours?
What industries have you worked with?
Can we speak to a past or current client?

A strong agency will have a portfolio that speaks for itself, and they won’t hesitate to provide references.

8. What’s Their Approach to Collaboration and Communication?

The best partnerships are built on clear communication and trust. To avoid frustrations, ask:

Who will be our main point of contact?
How often will we receive updates?
What’s your process for revisions and feedback?

You want an agency that keeps you in the loop—not one that disappears for weeks and resurfaces with work that doesn’t align with your vision.

9. Do They Understand Your Industry and Audience?

Creative execution without industry insight can fall flat. Be sure to ask:

Have you worked with businesses in our industry before?
How do you research and understand our target audience?
Can you provide recommendations beyond just design—such as messaging and positioning?

An agency that truly understands your space will bring more to the table than just good design; they’ll help shape how your brand resonates with the right people.

Ready to Find the Right Creative Agency?

A great agency relationship is built on transparency, creativity, and strategic thinking. At Treebird Branding, we craft everything custom, track our time honestly, and approach every project with a mix of artistry and strategy. If you’re ready for a creative partner who can bring your brand to life in a way that stands out, let’s talk.

Interested in working with us? Let’s Chat.

Jaci Lund

Jaci Lund partner, creative director, designer Jaci’s quick wit and native intelligence comes across as soon as you meet her—and carries over to her design, where she fuses fun and sophistication in just the right doses. With a dual focus on creating original branding for new concepts and revitalizing the look and feel of even the most-established brands, Jaci approaches each project with a fresh and thoughtful perspective. While she recognizes the relevance of current trends, she’s hyper-conscious of the fine line that separates “trend” from “fad,” and tends toward more timeless and classic looks for her clients. Before founding Treebird, Jaci was instrumental in growing the design department at Atlanta’s The Reynolds Group, Inc. Through a five-year tenure that saw her quickly ascend to senior designer and then become the company’s first creative director, Jaci worked on design and branding projects with visionaries, entrepreneurs, and business leaders whom she admires greatly and whose own passion elevates her sense of what’s possible through new design, branding, and communication. Jaci has won nine ADDY Awards (and counting) for her design and branding work and has twice been featured in the national design blog “Art of the Menu.” She holds a B.A. in communications from Michigan State University and completed the graphic design program at The Creative Circus, where she also teaches a quarterly course called “Introduction to Creative Thinking.” To see Jaci's previous work please visit jacilund.com.

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