เช็คลิสต์: ถึงเวลาจ้าง Agency ไลฟ์หรือยัง?
"Should we hire a live agency or do it ourselves?" - a question many brands ask themselves as their business begins to grow or when considering expanding into Live Commerce.
There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer, but there is a way to evaluate how ready you are and whether it's the right time to hire an agency.
This blog will help you make clearer decisions with straightforward checklists and friendly advice.
Is it time to hire an agency? Let's check the list.
Part A: Signs That You Are Ready to Hire an Agency
Check how many of these indicators your business exhibits (the more, the better).
✅ The team is already doing live streams, but sales are not growing.
You already have a live team, but you're feeling that performance has stagnated due to a lack of strategy, optimization, or new perspectives that could increase conversions.
✅ No time to manage techniques/Production Quality
You want to focus on your core business without the headaches of managing cameras, lighting, sound scripts, or multiple platforms – you just want to achieve great results.
✅ Looking to expand to multiple platforms simultaneously.
คุณอยากทำ TikTok, Facebook, Shopee, Lazada พร้อมกัน แต่ทีมไม่พอทำให้ครบ หรือไม่มีความเชี่ยวชาญเฉพาะแต่ละ Platform[1][trans-cosmos Thailand]
✅ Budget is ready, but execution is delayed.
You have a marketing budget but are unsure how to proceed or can't manage it on your own. You want a team with expertise to help execute instead.
✅ Need for Data-Driven Decision Making
คุณอยากเห็น Report ที่ชัดเจน วัดผล KPI ได้จริง และได้ Insight ที่ช่วยปรับ Strategy - ไม่ใช่แค่ทำไปเรื่อยๆ[2][trans-cosmos Thailand]
✅ Looking for a professional MC/host immediately.
You don't want to spend time finding someone to train or going through trial and error - you want an experienced host to help sell right away.
✅ Want to grow quickly without spending time building an in-house team.
การสร้างทีมใหม่ใช้เวลา 6-12 เดือน ถ้าคุณต้องการผลลัพธ์ไว การจ้าง Agency ที่มีทีมพร้อมอาจเป็นทางลัดที่คุ้มค่ากว่า[3][Unity Connect]
Score Part A: ____ / 7 points
Part B: Signs That You Should Wait A Little Longer
If you notice these signals frequently, it might not be the right timing yet.
❌ I haven't tried Live Commerce yet.
If you have never done a live session before, it's recommended to try DIY a couple of times to understand the process and know what you truly want from an agency.
❌ Budget below 30,000-50,000 Baht/month.
A good-quality agency typically starts at 30,000-50,000 THB per month. If the budget is lower than this, it might be more cost-effective to handle it yourself or use a freelancer first.
Not sure if your product is suitable for live streaming.
If you're unsure about what Product-Market Fit is for Live Commerce, you should experiment yourself to find the format and message that work.
The in-house team is still learning and improving.
If your team is still in the Learning Curve and has the potential to further develop, it may be more worthwhile to invest in training the current team first.
❌ Want to control everything 100% by yourself.
การจ้าง Agency หมายถึงการ Delegate บางอย่าง ถ้าคุณยัง Micromanage ทุกเรื่อง หรือไม่พร้อมให้ทีมภายนอกช่วยตัดสินใจ ผลลัพธ์จะไม่คุ้มค่า[4][Winbound]
❌ Need to develop long-term internal expertise.
If the goal is to develop know-how within the company, a DIY approach or a Hybrid Model (hiring an agency for consulting) is more suitable than outsourcing everything.
The business is not stable enough to commit long-term.
Most agencies work well with continuity (at least 3-6 months). If you're not ready to commit that long, it's better to start with a project-based approach first.
Score for Part B: ____ / 7 points
Performance Evaluation: What should you do?
Scenario 1: Ready to Partner 🎯
Part A: 4-7 items + Part B: <3 items
คำแนะนำ: คุณพร้อมจ้าง Agency แล้ว! เริ่มจากการ Shortlist 2-3 Agency และนัดคุยเพื่อดูว่า Chemistry ใช่กันไหม
Next Steps:
- ✓ Clearly prepare the business brief and objectives.
- ✓ Set a realistic budget and timeline.
- ✓ View the Agency's portfolio and case studies.
- ✓ Ask questions on the next topic (below).
Scenario 2: Try Hybrid Model 🤝
Part A: 2-3 items + Part B: 2-4 items
คำแนะนำ: คุณอยู่ในจุดกึ่งกลาง ควรเริ่มจาก Hybrid Model - ทำบางส่วนเอง บางส่วนจ้าง Agency
Hybrid options:
- ✓ Consulting Only: Agency provides strategy and team training.
- ✓ Production Only: You handle Strategy, while the Agency takes care of Execution.
- ✓ Project-Based: Hire for Important Campaigns, Not Retainers.
- ✓ Platform-Specific: Manage one platform in-house while an agency oversees 2-3 additional platforms.
Scenario 3: Build Foundation First 🌱
Part B: Points 4-7
คำแนะนำ: ยังไม่ใช่ Timing ที่เหมาะ ควรสร้างพื้นฐานให้แข็งแรงก่อน แล้วค่อยพิจารณาจ้าง Agency ทีหลัง
Things to do beforehand:
- ✓ Try doing Live Commerce on your own 5-10 times first.
- ✓ Gather preliminary performance data (Viewers, Engagement)
- ✓ Understand your customers' preferred format.
- ✓ Create a basic process and checklist for the team.
- ✓ Once you're ready, check back to see if the score has changed.
6 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Agency
If you are in Scenario 1 or 2 and are about to schedule a meeting with Ag.
1. Do you have experience with businesses like ours?
Why ask? An agency with experience in the same industry will understand the pain points.
💡 Please provide a case study or portfolio related to your products/services.
2. Who will be on the team taking care of us? How often can we meet them?
Why ask? Make sure to have a real team, not just salespeople trying to sell.
💡 Ask who the Account Manager is, who the MC/Host is, and how many people are on the Production team.
3. How do we measure results? What type of reports do we use? How often?
Why ask? If the agency lacks clear KPIs or doesn't have a systematic reporting process.
💡 Please provide a sample report and specify which KPIs are being tracked (Viewers, Engagement, GMV, ROAS).
4. Is there a minimum contract or lock-in period?
Why ask? Some agencies require a commitment of 6-12 months, and if the results are unsatisfactory, you can't just walk away.
💡 If you're not satisfied, how easy is it to cancel, and are there any additional costs?
5. How do you collaborate with our team? Who owns what?
Why ask? Understand where the agency can assist you and what you need to handle on your own.
💡 Please provide the Process Flow or RACI Chart (who is responsible for what).
6. What does the price cover? Are there any hidden costs?
Why ask? Some agencies offer low base prices but have numerous add-on fees.
💡 Please provide a breakdown of all items and specify what is the Base Fee and what is an Add-on.
Live Commerce Management Tools
Live Stream Template
Comprehensive Live Commerce Management
Live Stream Dashboard
No matter what decision you make...
สิ่งสำคัญที่สุดคือ Honesty with oneself - Ask yourself if your team is truly ready.
Hiring an Agency It’s not just one answer. But still It's not something to be afraid of.- If the timing is right and you choose the right partner, it can lead to success.
But if you're not ready yet. There's no need to rush. - Build a strong foundation first before
If you would like to discuss or seek advice first, we are happy to provide free guidance – no sales pressure guaranteed.
References
- [1][trans-cosmos Thailand] trans-cosmos Thailand - Live Commerce: A Game-Changing Strategy
- [2][trans-cosmos Thailand] trans-cosmos Thailand - 5 KPIs Every Marketer Must Know
- [3][Unity Connect] Unity Connect - Outsourcing in E-commerce
- [4][Winbound] Winbound - Outsourcing Marketing Activities
