Working with digital advertising agencies can be a game-changer for your business, but it's crucial to recognize when things aren't being done right. One major red flag is when agencies focus on short-term wins rather than a strategic, data-driven approach over a meaningful time frame, such as 90 days. From my experience, successful ad campaigns require a carefully planned, agile 90-day strategy that adapts as new data comes in. During the first 30 days, the emphasis should be on minimizing budget waste and gathering accurate data on how your ads perform with your target audience. This includes ensuring tracking systems work correctly and campaign structures are clean and clear for reporting purposes. The second 30 days should involve rigorous creative testing. Agencies that continuously test various ad messages and formats week after week are more likely to hit on what resonates with your audience. This is especially important when platforms like Google and Meta frequently update their algorithms, which can significantly impact ad performance. In the final 30 days, the focus shifts to 'cutting the fat' — eliminating underperforming ads and scaling what's working efficiently to maximize return on investment. If an agency lacks this structured, data-focused, and agile plan, it may lead to wasted spending and poor results. Always ask for a clear 90-day plan tailored to your business needs that adapts based on ongoing analysis. This approach not only helps in optimizing ads profitably but also allows you as a business owner to have confidence in the agency's expertise and transparency. Remember, effective digital marketing isn't about quick fixes but about sustained, data-informed growth strategies that evolve with your market and audience insights.