marketing agency comparison

If you’ve ever hired a marketing agency for your rehab, you probably know this feeling:

You sign a contract. You pay thousands of dollars. And then… nothing happens.

A few posts go up. Maybe a newsletter goes out. But the calls don’t come. The website visits don’t increase. And you’re left wondering: Where did all that money go?

Here’s the hard truth: Most marketing agencies aren’t designed to get results for rehabs. They’re designed to extract as much money as possible while delivering the bare minimum.

Let’s break down exactly how they do it—and how to spot the red flags before you sign.

The Shocking Truth About Agency Pricing

Here’s what the typical social media marketing agency charges in 2026:

Entry-Level ($500–$1,500/month):

• 8–20 posts per month

• 1–2 platforms

Mid-Market ($1,500–$5,000/month):

• 12–20 posts per month

• 2–4 platforms

Premium ($5,000–$15,000+/month):

• 20–40 posts per month

• 4–6 platforms

Enterprise ($15,000–$25,000+/month):

• 40–80 posts per month

• Full presence

Most agencies charging $5,000–$10,000 per month are delivering just 40–80 pieces of content per month.

That’s $125–$208 per post.

Think about that. You’re paying over $100 for a single social media post.

Now compare that to what we deliver.

The Hidden Fees Trap

Here’s where it gets even worse. Most agencies don’t tell you the full cost upfront. They hit you with hidden fees after you sign:

Common hidden fees:

• ❌ Setup Fees: $500–$2,000 before work even begins

• ❌ Video Production: $500–$2,500/month (not included)

• ❌ Google Posts: $500–$1,000/month extra

• ❌ Additional Platforms: $500–$1,500 each

• ❌ Strategy Calls: $200–$500/hour

• ❌ Reporting: $500–$1,000/month extra

By the time you add it all up, that $5,000/month agency is actually costing you $8,000–$12,000/month.

And you’re still only getting 40–80 posts.

This is why Rehabinate is different. We tell you the full price upfront. No setup fees. No hidden costs. No surprises.

The Contract Trap

Why do agencies lock you into 6–12 month contracts?

Simple: They know you’ll want to cancel after 90 days when you don’t see results.

If they were confident in their service, they’d let you go month-to-month. But they’re not confident. So they trap you.

Here’s what actually happens:

• Month 1: Setup. Very little actual marketing.

• Month 2: They start posting. Results are weak.

• Month 3: You want to cancel. But you’re locked in for 6 more months.

• Month 4–9: They deliver the bare minimum. You pay thousands for nothing.

We don’t do contracts. Month-to-month. Cancel anytime. Because we’re confident you’ll see results and stay.

The Platform Trap

Most agencies charge extra for each platform you add.

Want Facebook? That’s included. Want Instagram? That’s an extra $500/month. Want TikTok? Another $500/month. YouTube? That’s $1,000/month extra.

They piecemeal you to death.

We include all 6 platforms in one flat price:

• Google Business Profile

• Facebook

• Instagram

• TikTok

• YouTube

• Pinterest

No extra charges. No surprises. Full coverage.

Learn more about why each platform matters for your rehab.

The “Posting for Likes” Trap

Here’s the biggest red flag of all: Agencies that measure likes, comments, and shares.

Families in crisis don’t “like” rehabs. They search for help. They want a phone number. They want help now.

If an agency is bragging about engagement metrics, they’re selling you vanity—not results.

We measure what actually matters:

• Phone calls

• Website visits

• Brand awareness

• Search discovery

You can see our real client results for yourself.

The Cost Per Post Comparison

Here’s how the numbers actually stack up:

What most agencies deliver:

• ❌ 40–80 posts per month

• ❌ 2–4 platforms

• ❌ Extra charges for video

• ❌ $500–$2,000 setup fees

• ❌ 6–12 month contracts

• ❌ $125–$208 per post

• ❌ $5,000–$10,000+/month

What Rehabinate delivers (starting at $3,000/month for one location):

• ✅ 252 posts per month

• ✅ 6 platforms

• ✅ Video included

• ✅ No setup fees

• ✅ No contracts. Cancel anytime.

• ✅ Just $12 per post

• ✅ $3,000/month for one location

Our cost per post is 10 to 17 times lower than traditional agencies.

That’s not slightly better. That’s dramatically better. And it’s all powered by our ad rotation system.

How to Spot a Bad Agency (Red Flags)

Before you sign with any marketing agency, watch for these red flags:

The Bottom Line

Most marketing agencies overcharge rehabs because they can. They count on you not knowing what fair pricing looks like. They count on you being too busy running your facility to shop around.

But now you know.

You know what fair pricing looks like. You know what to watch out for. And you know there’s a better way.

At Rehabinate, we deliver 252 posts per month across 6 platforms for just $3,000/month for one location. Video included. Google Posts included. No setup fees. No contracts. No surprises.

Compare that to your current agency. Are you getting 252 posts per month? Are you getting daily video content? Are you getting full platform coverage?

If not, it’s time to make a change.

Ready to Make the Switch?

Here’s how to get started:

1. Check out our pricing — transparent, no surprises

2. See how it works — launch in 3 weeks

3. Or just request free samples — customized to your rehab, no obligation

Or pick up the phone and call us directly: (760) 428-0591

We’ll give you honest feedback on your current marketing—no pressure, no pitch.

This is the third post in our series on drug rehab marketing. We’re building a library of content to help addiction treatment centers get found by the people who need them most.