We are finally looking to start running paid ads either google or Social Media. What do you guys think is a good budget ? Also any advice on questions to ask when deciding which company or person to go with ?

Whoa there Chatty McChat Bot, information overload. The question is not answerable without context you have withheld. You will not reveal the context due to abject fear the commenter might cheat you. We seem to be at an odd cognitive impasse.

Fear not, because discussion always goes much faster when the OP plays no role. Thank you for your assistance. Any of these points can be useful for discussion with the modern “agency.”

…Just ask what the word “marketing” is. For marketing is best seen as a multiplier, and you won’t get anywhere multiplying by zero. Product-market fit determines the price of market entry. (Unless you wanted to argue you own a billion-dollar multinational in existence for twelve years.)

…Market research gets you attuned to and (possibly) aligned with any market. Skipping this vital research in a headlong rush to launch at any cost will incur market penalties. Product-market mismatch causes friction with the market thus spiking the cost of market entry. If you are ice skating uphill, costs are prohibitive.

…Word-of-mouth depends upon strong market demand. Nobody doubts you’ve fallen in love with your product, and can’t see the flaws. All the doubt comes in on the cost-effectiveness of putting lipstick on that pig.

…Ask which metrics they want performance to be judged by. As the conversation steers sharply away from the economic to the esoteric, read up on the difference between customer metrics and vanity metrics.

Thank you for being of no help whatsoever. Thank you very little.

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TIL Having no motivation of sticking one’s nose up a client’s ass also has a downside: Blunt Force Trauma of a sort.