Blog

Marketing isn’t just optional for Managed Service Providers (MSPs)—it’s essential. With an increasingly competitive market, having a strong marketing strategy can make or break your business. But for many MSPs, building an in-house marketing team isn’t always feasible, which is where hiring a marketing agency comes in. 

Before you leap into a partnership, though, you need to ensure you’re hiring the right agency. Choosing the wrong partner can lead to wasted time, money, and opportunities. How do you make the right decision? By asking the right questions. 

Here are the five questions every MSP should ask before signing a contract with a marketing agency. 

1. Does the Agency Understand the MSP Business Model? 

A marketing agency that understands the intricacies of the MSP business model will give you a significant edge. Why? Because MSPs operate differently from other businesses. Your prospective agency must know what your customers value, the services you offer, and the challenges you face. 

For example, Gorilla Marketing Solutions stands out because they’ve actually run a successful MSP themselves. Their first-hand experience helps them craft targeted strategies and content that speak directly to your audience. This positions MSPs they work with as trusted experts, while ensuring no time is wasted explaining the basics to the agency. 

Without industry-specific knowledge, your marketing campaigns risk being generic, which fails to resonate with your target market. Make sure the agency you choose has a track record of working with MSPs or IT providers. 

Key takeaway:

Choose an agency with proven expertise in MSP marketing to get better, faster results. 

2. Does the Agency Offer Strategic Planning? 

Effective marketing starts with a clear plan, not just disconnected tactics. While any agency can create a social media post or run a Google Ads campaign, only some can help you build a cohesive strategy. 

Ask the agency if they offer a strategic roadmap tailored to your business goals. For instance, Gorilla Marketing Solutions leverages their Gorilla Funnel Flow approach to map every marketing effort to specific buyer personas and objectives. This ensures every activity has a purpose, so you’re never guessing which efforts are driving results. 

Additionally, look for agencies that offer creative consulting and end-to-end marketing management. You’ll want a partner that not only executes projects but helps you strategize from the ground up to maximize your ROI. 

Key takeaway:

Prioritize agencies that provide strategic planning and alignment with your long-term goals. 

3. Can the Agency Showcase Proven Results and Client Testimonials? 

It’s easy for a marketing agency to claim they’re experts. But can they back it up? Before committing, you should ask to see examples of their results and testimonials from other MSPs or similar businesses. 

For example, here’s what Gorilla Marketing Solutions clients are saying:

• "We’ve already seen multiple qualified opportunities within our first few months of working with them." – Jordan H., MSP 
• "I’ve spent 10 years looking for a firm like Gorilla. They took control of everything—branding, HubSpot, collateral, and messaging." – Josh P., Channel Partner 

Also, ask about real metrics. How many leads or appointments did they help generate? Did they increase website traffic? Success stories with tangible results are a great indicator of what you can expect. 

Key takeaway:

Don’t hire blindly. Look for proven experience, great testimonials, and real-world success metrics. 

4. Is the Agency Skilled in Both Sales and Marketing Hub Implementation? 

Marketing doesn’t stop at generating leads. To truly succeed, those leads need to seamlessly flow into your sales process. This is where tools like HubSpot's Sales and Marketing Hubs become invaluable. 

But setting up these tools effectively requires specialized knowledge and expertise. That’s where agencies like Gorilla shine. Their team—including Matt, a recognized expert in Sales and Marketing Hub implementation—ensures these tools are implemented correctly. This leads to better lead tracking, nurturing, and sales conversions. 

Without this skill set, your business could miss out on critical opportunities to turn marketing leads into paying customers. 

Key takeaway:

Choose an agency that understands the technical side of marketing and sales alignment. 

5. How Will the Agency Increase Traffic and Generate Quality Leads? 

The ultimate goal of any marketing agency should be growing your traffic and converting those visits into quality leads. But how will they achieve that? 

Ask about specific strategies the agency uses. For instance, Gorilla Marketing focuses on improving traffic, leads, and appointments as part of a holistic marketing funnel. Their team works to attract visitors within your target audience, create engaging content, and nurture leads effectively. 

The result? More qualified leads landing directly in your inbox and an easier process for converting them into clients. 

Choose an agency that doesn’t just aim for vanity metrics like “page views.” Look for one that prioritizes qualified traffic—that is, visitors who are genuinely interested in your services and ready to take action. 

Key takeaway:

Partner with an agency that prioritizes increasing qualified traffic and leads. 

Partner with a Marketing Agency That Gets MSPs 

The reality is, not all marketing agencies are created equal. Choosing the wrong partner can cost you time, money, and growth opportunities. But by asking these five essential questions, you’ll be better equipped to find an agency that understands your business, delivers measurable results, and supports your long-term goals. 

At Gorilla Marketing Solutions, we’ve built our business around helping MSPs thrive because we’ve been in your shoes. Whether it’s strategic planning, HubSpot implementation, or boosting your web traffic, our team is here to handle it all—so you can focus on what you do best. 

Make your marketing easy by partnering with Gorilla today.