Vendor & Agency Management for Contractors
You’ve hired agencies. You’ve tried freelancers. But nobody’s steering the ship, and you’re not sure who’s actually delivering. We fix that.
The real problem isn’t the vendors. It’s that nobody is managing them strategically.
The numbers
The dataYou Didn’t Start a Contracting Company to Become a Project Manager
· The ProblemAn SEO agency. A web designer. A Google Ads manager. A social person. A mail house. A call-tracking provider. Now you’re the one stuck:
The real problem isn’t the vendors. It’s that nobody is managing them strategically, nobody’s holding them accountable to business outcomes, and nobody’s making sure the pieces fit together. That’s what we do.
The Three Levels of Vendor Management
· The FoundationMost owners never get past level one. The difference between a pile of contractors and a marketing team is which level you manage at.
One Point of Control for Every Vendor
· Service RegisterWe become the single point of accountability for your marketing vendor ecosystem, so you stop juggling and start growing.
How We Hold Vendors Accountable
· Sample ScorecardEvery vendor gets graded monthly on what actually matters, not vanity metrics. Here’s a sample SEO agency scorecard.
How We Take Over Vendor Management
· The ProcessMost clients feel relief within the first month. Here’s how the handoff works.
We document what each vendor is supposed to do, what they’re actually doing, and what you’re paying: the paperwork that should have existed from day one.
We set KPIs and SLAs for every vendor, build the scorecards, and introduce ourselves as the new point of contact.
We run the syncs, grade the scorecards, coordinate across vendors, reallocate budget, and bring you quarterly reviews, while you get your time back.
What Vendor Management Produces
· Results SnapshotIs Vendor Management Right for You?
· The FitContractors spending $10K+/month across multiple marketing vendors.
Owners spending 10+ hours a month managing agencies and feeling like a project manager.
Businesses with vendors who “seem busy” but can’t prove results.
Companies that have fired an agency before and ended up in the same spot with the next one.
Teams preparing to scale who need vendor infrastructure that can grow with them.
Businesses with only one vendor; just manage or replace them directly.
Owners who want to stay deep in every vendor decision.
Companies unwilling to share vendor access and contracts.
Situations where the real gap is strategy. Vendors can’t execute a plan that doesn’t exist.
Vendor Management Pricing
· InvestmentThe full Fractional CMO engagement is the most common path. Vendor management works best paired with strategic oversight. Month-to-month, no long-term contracts required.
Five vendors with no owner is not a marketing team. It’s five invoices.
Questions Contractors Ask
· QuestionsWill you replace our current vendors?
Only if they’re underperforming. We start by auditing and giving every vendor a fair shot at clear expectations. Many improve fast once there’s accountability. If one consistently underperforms, we help you find a replacement and manage the transition.
Do you become the main point of contact?
Yes. We handle the day-to-day communication, run the syncs, and manage deliverables. You stay informed through reporting and can join any call you want, but you don’t have to live in the weeds.
How is this different from hiring a marketing manager?
A marketing manager runs $60K–$100K+ a year plus benefits and overhead, and may not have experience across every channel your vendors cover. We provide senior-level strategic oversight at a fraction of the cost, with dozens of vendor relationships managed across industries.
Can you manage vendors for services you don’t offer?
Yes. We oversee SEO agencies, PPC managers, social media managers, web developers, mail houses, call-tracking providers, CRM consultants, and more. If it’s part of your marketing ecosystem, we can manage it.
What if a vendor doesn’t want to work with you?
Rarely an issue. Most vendors appreciate working with someone who speaks their language and gives clear direction. If a vendor resists accountability, that’s a red flag about whether you should keep them anyway.
How quickly can you take over?
Typically two to three weeks. Week one is audit and documentation, week two is scorecard setup and vendor introductions, and by weeks three to four we’re running the show. You’ll feel the relief inside the first month.
Written by Austin Rohleder, founder of Capstone Marketing Group.
Stop Babysitting Your Agencies
Get a single point of control for your entire marketing vendor ecosystem. Know exactly who’s delivering, who’s not, and where your money is going. No obligation. No pitch. Just an honest conversation about your vendor chaos.
Or call (419) 575-9023