The Problem With Most Marketing Agency Models

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: In a typical agency model, there are plenty of incentives to recommend services that benefit the agency, not necessarily the client.

Most agencies make their money by:

• Charging monthly retainers for managed services (like Google Ads or Meta Ads).
  
  
• Taking commissions or kickbacks from media platforms, tools or software.
  
  
• Bundling in services that you may not even need — but will certainly pay for.
  
  

And when an agency’s revenue depends on keeping your ad spend flowing, there’s a subtle but powerful pressure to keep the taps on, even if the results aren’t there.

If a campaign has a bad month, the temptation is to soften the numbers, gloss over a report, or simply keep running an underperforming service because… well, they need to pay their staff too.

We’ve seen it happen. We hear about it from clients every week.

Why the 'Done With You' Model Changes Everything

At Hedgehog, we work on a fundamentally different model:

👉 We don’t offer managed services.
👉 We don’t take commissions or kickbacks.
👉 We help you run your own marketing, with clear reporting and full transparency.

That means our interests are perfectly aligned with yours. We only succeed if you succeed -  not because we’ve kept a campaign running for the sake of our own revenue.

No Managed Services = No Conflict of Interest

Because we don’t manage your ad accounts or campaigns, we have no skin in the game when it comes to how much you spend, where you spend it, or whether you keep running a particular channel.

If a Google Ads campaign isn’t performing — we’ll tell you. If SEO isn’t the best investment for your stage of growth — we’ll say so. If Facebook is starting to deliver diminishing returns — we’ll call it out.

And that’s refreshingly rare in an industry where managed services typically create a baked-in conflict of interest.

No Commissions or Kickbacks = Purely in Your Best Interests

We have a simple rule: we do not take commissions or kickbacks. Ever.

That means if we recommend a tool, a platform, a freelancer or a partner — it’s because we genuinely believe it’s the right fit for you, not because we’re getting a slice of the action.

Too often, agencies steer clients towards particular vendors because they get a % in return. We think that’s a dangerous game, especially for small businesses who rely on trust and honest advice.

Our model removes that temptation entirely.

Clear Reporting = Full Transparency on ROI

We help you set up clear, transparent reporting so you can see exactly what’s working and what’s not — right down to your return on investment.

We’ll teach you how to read your reports. We’ll show you which metrics matter. And we’ll help you ask the right questions about your data.

Because we’re not managing your services, we have nothing to hide. There’s no pressure to ‘spin’ the numbers — if something isn’t performing, you’ll see it clearly, and we’ll work with you to improve it or pivot.

This builds trust — and over time, it builds much stronger marketing outcomes too.

Why This Matters for Small and Medium Businesses

Small and medium businesses don’t have the luxury of unlimited marketing budgets. Every dollar counts. Every decision matters.

That’s why the traditional agency model often fails SMBs:

• You get locked into services you may not need.
  
  
• You pay for management overhead that delivers little value.
  
  
• You’re often kept in the dark about what’s really working.
  
  

Our model flips that on its head:

• You stay in full control of your budget.
  
  
• You understand exactly where your money is going.
  
  
• You build internal skills and knowledge.
  
  
• You get honest, unbiased advice that’s aligned to your best interests.
  
  

For small and medium businesses, this kind of relationship is priceless — especially in a marketing world that’s full of smoke and mirrors.

FAQs

Is the ‘done with you’ model right for every business?
Not always. If you want a fully outsourced, ‘set and forget’ model, a traditional agency might suit you better. But if you want to be in control, build internal capability and get honest advice — it’s perfect.

Will you help us set up and optimise campaigns?
Of course! But we’ll do it collaboratively, with your involvement. We’ll guide, teach and support you, but the accounts and ownership remain with you.

How does Hedgehog make money if you don’t manage services?
We charge for consulting, coaching and training — simple as that. Our revenue is never tied to how much you spend on ads or which platforms you use. 

Is this approach more work for me as a business owner?
A little — but the payoff is huge. You gain clarity, transparency and confidence in your marketing decisions. And we make the process as simple and efficient as possible.

Conclusion

The marketing world is full of agencies that quietly put their own interests ahead of their clients.

Hedgehog was built to be different. Our ‘done with you’ model keeps us honest, transparent and trusted — because that’s how marketing relationships should work.

No commissions. No kickbacks. No hiding behind reports.

Just clear advice, transparent reporting and a shared goal: helping your business grow.

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This guide is written by Hedgehog, a ‘Done With You’ digital marketing consultancy specialising in small and medium businesses in Australia. We offer digital marketing strategy, planning, training and implementation.