Ramp1 helps founders and small businesses grow with more structure and less guesswork. That means sharper strategy, better creative, and marketing systems that actually run — without needing to hire a full team to do it.

Businesses that are past the idea stage and ready to move. You have something worth selling — you just need the marketing to match. Ramp1 works best with founders and lean teams who want real expertise without the overhead of full-time hires.

What's the difference between Task, Strategy, and Marketing Ally?

Task is for when you need something done fast — edits, assets, campaign fixes, platform updates. Strategy is a custom plan built around your goals, audience, and competitive position. Marketing Ally is an ongoing relationship — an embedded marketer who works alongside your team every week. You can start with one and grow into the others.

Do I need a marketing strategy before running ads or posting content?

Yes — and skipping it is usually why campaigns underperform. Ads and content work when they're built on a clear message, a defined audience, and a goal worth optimizing toward. Without that, you're spending money to find out what should have been decided at the start.

How is Ramp1 different from a traditional marketing agency?

Ramp1 is built for businesses that need results, not retainers. No bloated teams, no 90-day onboarding, no billing you for meetings about meetings. You get senior-level thinking, fast execution, and a partner who treats your budget like it's their own.

Does Ramp1 work with businesses outside Vancouver?

Yes. Ramp1 is based in Vancouver and works throughout Metro Vancouver, including Richmond, BC — most work is done remotely. If you can get on a call, we can work together, wherever you are.

Does Ramp1 work with businesses in Richmond, BC?

Yes. Richmond is part of Ramp1's core Metro Vancouver service area. Whether it's a one-off Task engagement, a full Strategy build, or an ongoing Marketing Ally partnership, Richmond-based founders and small businesses work with Ramp1 the same way local Vancouver clients do.

7 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Marketing Agency or Fractional Marketer

vinskyer

Sep 29

2 min read

Hiring a marketing agency or a fractional marketer is a real commitment of budget and trust — and most of the bad fits could have been caught before signing. Here are the seven questions worth asking any marketing partner before you hire them, including us.

1. What will you actually deliver in the first 30 days?

A credible partner can describe concrete first-month deliverables, not just vague 'strategy sessions.' If they can't tell you what week one looks like, they haven't done this enough times to have a process.

2. Who exactly will be doing the work?

Many agencies sell you a senior strategist in the pitch and hand you off to a junior account team after signing. Ask specifically who touches your account day-to-day.

3. How do you measure success, and when do we review it?

There should be agreed metrics and a set review cadence from day one — not a vague promise to 'check in.'

4. Can you show results for a business like mine?

Industry and stage matter. A case study from an enterprise e-commerce brand tells you little about how a partner will perform for an early-stage service business.

5. What happens if it's not working after 90 days?

Ask about their process for diagnosing underperformance, not just their process for reporting it. Good partners have a clear answer here; weak ones get defensive.

6. Is pricing scoped to my business, or a fixed package?

Fixed packages are easier to sell but rarely match what an individual business actually needs. Scoped pricing usually signals a partner who assessed your situation instead of quoting a template.

7. What do you need from us to make this work?

Every engagement depends on some internal input — access, approvals, response time. A partner who can't name what they need from you hasn't planned the engagement seriously.

Red Flags to Watch For

No clear answer on who does the actual work.
Reluctance to commit to specific first-30-day deliverables.
No defined metrics or review cadence.
Case studies only from unrelated industries or company sizes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I ask for references?

Yes — and ask references specifically about responsiveness and how issues were handled, not just results, since that's where most partnerships actually break down.

Is a longer contract a red flag?

Not inherently, but be cautious of long lock-ins paired with vague deliverables — the two together remove your leverage if the fit isn't right.