15 Questions to Ask Before Signing

The questions you ask an agency before signing reveal more than any sales pitch ever will. How they answer matters as much as what they answer.

Evasive answers, pressure tactics, or irritation at being questioned are all red flags. A legitimate agency will welcome your due diligence — they have nothing to hide.

Here are the 15 questions every creator should ask, why they matter, and what good vs. bad answers look like.

About Their Business

QUESTION 1

"How long have you been operating?"

New agencies aren't automatically bad, but experience matters. An agency that's been around for 2+ years has likely worked out the kinks.

🟢 Good Answer

"We started in 2022 and currently work with 30 creators."

🔴 Red Flag

"We're new but growing fast!" (No specifics)

QUESTION 2

"Can you give me 3 creators I can talk to?"

This is the most important question. Real references from real creators you can actually contact. Not screenshots — names.

🟢 Good Answer

"Sure, here are three creators and their social handles. Feel free to DM them."

🔴 Red Flag

"We can't share that due to privacy." / "Just check our testimonials."

QUESTION 3

"How many creators do you currently work with?"

Too few might mean they're unproven. Too many might mean you won't get personal attention. 10-50 is usually a sweet spot.

🟢 Good Answer

"We work with 25 creators and limit our roster to ensure quality."

🔴 Red Flag

"Hundreds!" (Can't give personal attention) or very vague answers.

About Their Services

QUESTION 4

"What exactly do you do for your percentage?"

Get specifics. DM management? Social media? Paid ads? Content strategy? If they can't clearly explain their value, they probably don't provide much.

🟢 Good Answer

"We handle DMs, post scheduling, run paid campaigns, and provide weekly strategy calls."

🔴 Red Flag

"We do everything to grow your account." (Vague, no specifics)

QUESTION 5

"How will we communicate and how often?"

Clear communication expectations prevent frustration later. You should know when and how you'll hear from them.

🟢 Good Answer

"Weekly video calls plus a Slack channel for daily questions. We respond within 24 hours."

🔴 Red Flag

"Just text me whenever." (Unstructured, likely to ghost)

QUESTION 6

"Will I have a dedicated manager or a team?"

Knowing who you'll actually work with day-to-day matters. A dedicated person means consistency; a team might mean you fall through the cracks.

🟢 Good Answer

"You'll have Sarah as your dedicated manager. She handles 8 creators."

🔴 Red Flag

"Our team will help you." (No specific person accountable)

About Money

QUESTION 7

"What's your revenue split?"

Industry standard is 20-40%. Anything above 50% is predatory. Make sure you understand exactly how much you keep.

🟢 Good Answer

"We take 30% of revenue we directly help generate."

🔴 Red Flag

"50/50" or unclear about what the percentage applies to.

QUESTION 8

"Are there any upfront fees?"

Legitimate agencies make money when you make money. Upfront fees are the #1 sign of a scam.

🟢 Good Answer

"No. We only earn when you earn."

🔴 Red Flag

"Just a small $500 setup fee..." — RUN.

QUESTION 9

"How and when do I get paid?"

Understand the payment flow. Does money go through them first? How long until you see it? Delays or complicated processes are concerning.

🟢 Good Answer

"Payments go directly to you from the platform. We invoice our percentage monthly."

🔴 Red Flag

"Everything goes through our account first." (They control your money)

About the Contract

QUESTION 10

"How long is the contract?"

Shorter is better for you. Month-to-month or 3 months max. Long lock-ins only benefit the agency.

🟢 Good Answer

"3 months initial, then month-to-month with 30 days notice."

🔴 Red Flag

"12-24 months minimum. It's standard." (It's not)

QUESTION 11

"How can I exit if it's not working?"

Know your escape route before you need it. What's the notice period? Are there penalties? What happens to ongoing work?

🟢 Good Answer

"30 days written notice, no penalties. We'll help transition smoothly."

🔴 Red Flag

"You can't leave until the contract ends." / Large exit fees.

QUESTION 12

"Is this exclusive? Can I work with others?"

Some agencies demand exclusivity. Make sure you understand what you're giving up and if it's worth it.

🟢 Good Answer

"Non-exclusive. You can work with other services if you want."

🔴 Red Flag

"Fully exclusive across all platforms." (Too restrictive)

About Expectations

QUESTION 13

"What results can I realistically expect?"

Listen carefully. Guaranteed income promises are lies. Realistic agencies give ranges and explain factors that affect results.

🟢 Good Answer

"Most creators see 20-50% growth in 3 months, but it depends on your niche and content quality."

🔴 Red Flag

"You'll make $10k/month guaranteed!" — Impossible to guarantee.

QUESTION 14

"What do you need from me?"

Understand your obligations. How much content? How many hours? What access do they need? Make sure it's realistic for your situation.

🟢 Good Answer

"3-5 new posts per week, approval on our promotional content, and weekly check-ins."

🔴 Red Flag

"Just give us your login and we'll handle everything." (Never give account access)

QUESTION 15

"Can I see a sample contract before deciding?"

A legitimate agency will let you review the contract before committing. If they pressure you to sign immediately, walk away.

🟢 Good Answer

"Of course. Take your time to review it and ask questions."

🔴 Red Flag

"We need your decision today." / Won't share contract in advance.

✓ Pro Tip: Take Notes

Write down their answers during the call. Compare what they said to what's in the contract. If anything doesn't match, ask why — or walk away.

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