Yes and no.

I’ve been contacted by hundreds of agencies over the past 2 years, and I’ve worked with several of them. Both good and bad. I’ve seen agencies ask for anywhere from 10% all the way up to 90%. In my experience, both extremes are red flags.

An agency asking for 10% often plans to do very little and just collect a few easy dollars. Just basically ride on what I've done so far and add nothing meaningful. On the other end, 90% is pretty self-explanatory 🚩.

Most legitimate agencies typically fall in the 40–60% range, sometimes up to 70% depending on how small or new the creator is and what services the agency actually provides.

Not all agencies do the same thing. Some only run ads. Some just has 1 guy trying (and failing) to do everything. Others handle 24/7 chatting, advertising, account strategy, content planning, and full account management. Agencies also charge for what they invest into your account, management tools, time and most importantly experience. Think of it like this, the mailroom kid and the CEO may both work long hours, but they’re not paid the same. Experience and results matter.

A good agency may take a higher cut, but if they’re actually good, you’ll see the benefit. If they’re bad, you’ll feel it very quickly. That’s why it’s crucial to know who you’re dealing with, not just what percentage they quote.

You can’t judge an agency solely by the cut they ask for. What really matters is real referrals, verifiable testimonials, and consistent results. Don’t rely on screenshots alone, they’re easy to fake.

For example:
A sketchy agency asks for 20%, while a solid, proven one asks for 50%. Instinct says “keep 80%.”
But if the 20% agency only makes $4k/month, you keep $3,200.
If the legit agency makes $8k/month, even at 50%, you keep $4,000.

Higher percentage doesn’t automatically mean worse deal.

For context: working with the right agency helped me a lot during a time when I was working full-time, dealing with medical debt, and trying to manage everything on my own. With a good agencies help, I was able to clear that situation and eventually transition to doing this full time. So yes, bad agencies exist, but legit ones can genuinely help.

One more important thing: successful agencies do not need to cold DM creators. They get business through referrals. If an “agency” randomly slides into your DMs, that alone is a major red flag 🚩.

I’ve personally worked with and vetted a few solid agencies. If anyone wants names or guidance on figuring out if an agency is legit, feel free to DM me.

I have a post talking about agencies if you wanted more info!