A group of people meeting and discussing strategy

Mar 19, 2025

What Results Can You Expect in the First 3 Months of Working with a Marketing Agency?

by Alexa Taylor

digital marketing

omnichannel marketing

marketing strategy

business strategy

< BACK

When businesses partner with a marketing agency, one of the first questions they often ask is: “What kind of ROI can we expect?”

It’s an important question, but one that requires careful consideration. Marketing success, particularly in inbound marketing, requires time, strategy, and optimization. While the first few months might not yield immediate revenue increases, they set the stage for

sustainable, long-term growth

This blog will outline what clients can expect in terms of ROI during the initial months of working with a marketing agency like Watermark. We’ll cover the foundational work, realistic benchmarks, and key deliverables that make the first three months essential for long-term success.

Initial Phase: Laying the Groundwork for Long-Term Success

After hiring a marketing agency, the first month is all about strategy development and setting the stage for effective campaigns. At Watermark, we focus on:

Conducting in-depth research on your industry, target audience and competitors.
Setting up accounts, campaigns, and analytics tools to ensure
accurate data tracking
.
Developing foundational assets, such as initial ad creatives,
landing pages
, or blog topics.

This is the period where our agency gains a comprehensive understanding of your business goals and audience needs. You can expect measurable results to follow once these foundational elements are in place.

PPC Ads: The Data Collection Period

PPC campaign setup and data collection during the first month with a marketing agency

Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising

is a powerful tool, but it requires a period of testing and data collection to achieve optimal performance. In the first few months, here is what you can expect:

Month 1: Campaigns are launched with an initial set of keywords, audiences, and creative assets. This phase is focused on gathering data about what works and what doesn’t.
Months 2-3: Watermark analyzes early performance data, runs A/B tests, and refines targeting and bidding strategies. By the end of this period, you can expect to see more efficient campaigns with improved click-through rates (CTR) and cost per lead (CPL).

While you may see some leads and conversions early on, the primary focus during this time is optimization, a critical step for long-term ROI.

SEO and Content Marketing: The Building Blocks for Inbound Leads

SEO is an essential part

of any inbound marketing strategy, but it’s not a quick fix. In the first three months, Watermark focuses on:

Performing technical SEO audits and addressing critical website issues.
Creating foundational content pieces like blog posts, case studies, or service pages.
Building backlinks and improving keyword optimization.

While organic traffic may take months to grow, initial KPIs such as improved rankings for targeted keywords and increased site engagement will indicate progress.

Social Media and Email Marketing: Creating Engagement and Awareness

Social media and email marketing play an important role in building brand awareness and engaging potential clients. Early efforts include:

Developing social media posts that showcase thought leadership, project successes, or industry insights.
Launching email marketing campaigns to nurture leads and educate them about your services.

These efforts may not directly translate to immediate revenue but contribute significantly to building relationships that lead to conversions down the road.

Setting Realistic ROI Benchmarks for Months 1-3

Establishing realistic ROI benchmarks for PPC and SEO in the first three months

Key Metrics Beyond Immediate Revenue

In the first three months of working with a marketing agency, the focus is often on leading indicators of success rather than direct revenue. These early metrics provide a clearer picture of how campaigns are performing and help set the stage for long-term growth.

For example, increased website traffic is a key sign that marketing efforts are driving qualified visitors to your site.

Improvements in lead quality

indicate that better targeting is reaching the right audience. Additionally, audience engagement metrics, such as growing interaction rates on social media or email campaigns, show that the messaging resonates with your target market. Gradual improvements in conversion rates further demonstrate that optimization efforts are beginning to take effect.

Establishing Baselines and Benchmarks for Long-Term ROI

During this time, Watermark will also work to establish baselines and benchmarks that will guide long-term ROI strategies. Baseline metrics, such as click-through rates (CTR), cost per click (CPC), and cost per lead (CPL), provide a foundation for evaluating future performance. These benchmarks are often compared against industry standards, offering valuable context and helping clients understand how their campaigns stack up against competitors. Setting these benchmarks is essential for identifying progress and areas for improvement over time.

Early Optimizations and Testing

Early optimization and testing are critical components of the first three months. A/B testing allows the team to experiment with different variations of ads, landing pages, and email content to identify what performs best. Additionally, PPC campaigns are refined through ongoing adjustments to targeting and bidding strategies, informed by early data insights. These iterative improvements ensure that marketing efforts become more efficient and effective, paving the way for stronger ROI in the future.

Other Key Considerations and Expectations for the First 3 Months

Strategic adjustments and learning curve during the first three months with a marketing agency

Expect a Learning Curve and Strategic Refinement

At Watermark, we focus on spending the early months learning your business, audience, and competitive landscape. This involves conducting client interviews or surveys to understand unique selling points and refining strategies based on initial performance data. The first few months are a learning phase, where strategic adjustments are made to align with your business goals and target audience insights.

Collaborative Strategy Adjustments

Successful campaigns rely on collaboration. Expect regular check-ins where our team shares performance insights and gathers your feedback. These sessions allow for strategic adjustments, ensuring that the campaigns evolve based on real-world performance and business objectives.

Early Investments in Content Creation and Optimization

Content marketing requires upfront work to build a solid foundation. During the early months, Watermark will produce high-value content such as blogs, case studies, and landing pages. Website optimization is also a focus, improving user experience and increasing conversion rates over time.

Ready to see how a tailored marketing strategy can accelerate your growth?

Our team at Watermark is here to help you build a strong foundation and drive long-term results. Schedule a call with one of our experts today to discuss your goals and discover how we can create a strategy that delivers measurable ROI.

Brand Visibility and Audience Building as Initial Goals

Early-stage efforts often center on building brand visibility and engaging your target audience. This includes running brand awareness campaigns on social media and creating email sequences to nurture prospects and build credibility. While these efforts may not generate immediate revenue, they are critical for establishing a strong market presence and generating interest.

Expect Growing Momentum Toward Measurable ROI in Months 3-6

By month six, the initial groundwork starts to pay off. Campaigns become more efficient, leading to a lower cost per acquisition (CPA) and higher lead-to-sales conversion rates. Organic traffic from SEO and content marketing efforts will also begin to increase, setting the stage for long-term, sustainable growth.

Setting the Stage for Sustainable Growth

Inbound marketing success requires a strategic, long-term view. While the first three months may not deliver immediate ROI, they are essential for building the foundation for sustainable growth. With patience and collaboration, businesses can expect to see measurable results and significant ROI as campaigns mature.

Contact Watermark for a Realistic Marketing ROI Plan

Ready to see how a custom-tailored marketing strategy can transform your business? Schedule a

consultation

with our team today.

Let Us Tell

Your Story

What Results Can You Expect in the First 3 Months of Working with a Marketing Agency?

Initial Phase: Laying the Groundwork for Long-Term Success

PPC Ads: The Data Collection Period

SEO and Content Marketing: The Building Blocks for Inbound Leads

Social Media and Email Marketing: Creating Engagement and Awareness