Start with the commercial job the provider has to solve
A TikTok retainer can mean anything from editing clips you provide to full ideation, filming, presenting and publishing. Compare production responsibility before comparing monthly price.
Write that objective into the brief before requesting proposals. It gives every shortlisted provider the same starting point and makes vague feature lists easier to challenge.
Compare the proposal line by line
| Compare | Ask before signing |
|---|---|
| Ideation | Who develops recurring formats and hooks? |
| Filming | Is on-site filming included or do you send footage? |
| Editing | How many finished videos are delivered? |
| Talent | Who appears on camera? |
| Publishing | Are captions, scheduling and posting included? |
| Reporting | Which metrics influence the next content batch? |
The sector-specific issue your shortlist should understand
Kydos' Starter social package includes TikTok alongside Instagram and Facebook, plus video editing. If you need a TikTok-first programme with original filming or presenters, that should be scoped separately rather than assumed.
Ask the provider to explain how this changes its recommended scope. A useful answer should affect the actual pages, campaigns, content, tracking or workflow being proposed.
Ask for proof that matches the work you are buying
Ask to inspect finished videos, then ask which parts of ideation, filming and editing the agency actually handled.
Proof should help you evaluate capability, not pressure you into a decision. Where client data cannot be shared, a provider can still demonstrate its process, live owned properties, sample deliverables or anonymised implementation detail without inventing results.
Agree ownership and access before work begins
Clarify which accounts, domains, platforms, analytics properties, creative files and source data belong to your business. You should also know what remains accessible if you change supplier later. Ownership is easiest to agree before the first invoice is paid.
Make reporting answer a buying question
Ask what the provider will report and which decisions those numbers will change. A useful report should connect activity to the objective in the brief, whether that is qualified enquiries, bookings, quote requests, purchases, visibility for priority commercial pages or another defined outcome.
Watch for this red flag
Choose the provider that can explain what is not needed yet
A strong proposal does not have to be the biggest one. The provider should be able to separate essential first-stage work from items that can wait until there is evidence to justify them. That is often a better sign of commercial judgement than a long feature list.
Put Kydos into your shortlist
Compare the published Kydos scope against the providers you are already speaking to, then request a focused quote if the fit looks right.
See Kydos Social MediaFrequently asked questions
What should I compare between TikTok management providers?
Compare the exact deliverables, responsibility split, approval process, ownership, reporting, support and the commercial outcome the provider is expected to improve.
Should I choose a specialist agency for brands considering outsourced short-form video?
Specialist experience can help, but it is not enough on its own. Check whether the provider understands your buying journey, can implement the required work and communicates the scope clearly.
Should I ask for a proposal before hiring?
Yes. Give shortlisted providers the same brief so you can compare assumptions, exclusions, deliverables and commercial terms on a like-for-like basis.
What is a warning sign when comparing agencies?
The agency sells a TikTok package without defining where raw footage comes from.
What proof should I ask to see?
Ask to inspect finished videos, then ask which parts of ideation, filming and editing the agency actually handled.
How can I compare Kydos with another provider?
Use Kydos' published service and pricing pages as one benchmark, then compare the other proposal against the same questions on scope, implementation, ownership and support.