Outsourcing is not the problem.
Outsourcing without understanding what you’re paying for is.

In this episode, I’m getting honest about one of the biggest mistakes I see business owners make—handing off marketing (or any major function) without a basic understanding of how it works. Not because you should be the expert… but because not knowing anything is how people get taken for a ride.

I share real-world examples of businesses that lost time, money, and momentum simply because they didn’t know what questions to ask—or what metrics actually mattered. We talk through why “just outsource it” is bad advice, how to protect yourself when hiring agencies or vendors, and the key KPIs every business owner should understand before signing a contract.

This episode is about ownership, integrity, and being an informed leader—not doing everything yourself, but knowing enough to make smart decisions.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why outsourcing without Education often backfires

• The difference between delegation and abdication

• The basic marketing KPIs every business owner should understand

• How to ask better questions before hiring an agency

• What integrity in partnerships actually looks like

If you’ve ever felt burned by a vendor, confused by marketing reports, or unsure whether something “isn’t working” or just isn’t being explained well—this one’s for you.

——

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Whitney Lee True Story Public Relations, Principal

Whitney Lee, APR, CPRC, is a marketing and PR expert and the founder of True Story Public Relations – an award-winning creative agency helping companies in the hospitality, travel, and tourism industries get in front of the right people with the right message.

With a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications from Florida State University, an Accreditation in Public Relations (APR), and a Certification as a Public Relations Counselor (CPRC), Whitney left her fancy corporate job in Destin, Florida, at age 26 and started as a freelancer, helping small businesses to get more visibility, clients and customers. Today, True Story has grown into fully-remote agency of ten, serving clients all over the US and internationally.

She was named Scarlett Magazine’s “Woman of the Year” in PR, one of the “Five Most Dynamic Women Leaders Ruling the PR Industry” in the CIO Times and one of United Way’s 40 under 40. Her insights are regularly featured in well-known media outlets like 850 Business Magazine, Emerald Coast Magazine, and the She Who Wins podcast with Renee Bauer to name a few.

Whitney is also a keynote speaker and the host of True Story: The PR Podcast where she shares marketing and PR tips, as well as insightful info on best practices of leading and working in a fully-remote agency.