How to Choose a Social Media Agency in Kathmandu: 15-Point Evaluation Checklist
Checklist to evaluate agencies for strategy, execution, and ROI. Includes red flags, interview questions, and contract terms specific to Nepal's agency landscape.
Ask for reporting transparency, process clarity, and real case-study outcomes. 60% of Nepali businesses switch agencies within first 6 months due to unclear expectations and vanity metrics.
Section 1: Pre-vetting checklist (before first call) — Check agency age: Minimum 18 months operational in Nepal. Portfolio relevance: At least 3 case studies in or adjacent to your industry. Team transparency: Named account manager, not just 'agency team'. Client retention: Average client relationship >12 months. Google Maps presence: Real office location in Kathmandu Valley, not just virtual address.
Section 2: Red flags to avoid — Guarantees specific follower counts (no ethical agency can guarantee). Won't share past client references. Charges separately for 'strategy' and 'execution' (should be integrated). Uses only stock photos in their own social media. Can't explain last algorithm change (Facebook March 2024 update, Instagram Reels changes). Asks for 6+ months payment upfront (max 3 months is standard in Nepal).
Section 3: Interview questions that reveal capability — Q1: 'Walk me through your last failed campaign and what you learned.' Good answer: Specific failure, measurable lesson, process change implemented. Q2: 'How do you measure success for a business like mine?' Great answer: Business metrics (CPA, ROAS, LTV), not vanity metrics (likes, follows). Q3: 'What's your content approval workflow?' Must have: 3-day lead time for approvals, Friday batch submissions, emergency CYA process. Q4: 'How do you handle negative comments at 10 PM?' Requires: 24/7 monitoring response under 2 hours, escalation protocol, brand voice guidelines for crisis.
Section 4: What good reporting looks like — Monthly report must include: Performance vs goals (red/yellow/green status). Top 5 performing posts with engagement analysis. Bottom 5 posts with learnings and A/B test results. Platform-specific recommendations for next month. Competitive analysis (3 direct competitors). Budget vs spend with next month's projection. Memorable quote from real customer about social presence.
Section 5: Contract terms to negotiate — Duration: Start with 3-month trial with 30-day exit clause. Payment terms: 50% upfront, 50% mid-month after progress review. Ownership clause: You own all created content and ad accounts after termination. Non-compete: Agency can't work with direct competitor until 3 months after contract ends. Results clause: Mutual agreement on 'material improvement' definition (e.g., '20% reduction in cost-per-lead within 90 days').
Section 6: Pricing benchmarks for Nepal (monthly retainer) — Basic: NPR 30,000-50,000 (content creation + scheduling + basic reporting). Mid-tier: NPR 60,000-100,000 (Strategy + content + ads management + weekly reporting). Premium: NPR 120,000-200,000 (Full-service + influencer mgmt + community mgmt + custom analytics dashboard). Retainer should include minimum 20 posts/month, 50 story frames, 8 reels, daily community engagement (1 hour), weekly strategy call, monthly deep-dive review.
Section 7: Trial project before signing — Ask for paid trial: NPR 15,000-25,000 for 2-week sprint with specific goal (e.g., 'Increase Instagram story swipe-ups by 30%'). Evaluate: Communication speed (under 4 hour replies), Creative quality (Nepali context understanding), Data accessibility (live dashboard vs PDF report), Proactivity (did they suggest improvements before you asked).