Top Social Media Marketing Companies in Fort Worth
Fort Worth’s blend of Fortune 500 headquarters, thriving small-business scene, and renowned cultural districts makes the city a hotspot for digital growth. Whether you’re targeting locals in the Stockyards or a global audience from AllianceTexas, the right social media marketing (SMM) partner can amplify your brand’s voice on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
Clutch simplifies your search by collecting in-depth client interviews, quantitative ratings, and detailed service profiles so you can choose with confidence. Use the filters on this page to sort Fort Worth providers by hourly rate, industry expertise, or project size, and review verified portfolios before you reach out.
Explore additional resources:
-
Featured
What are Featured Providers?
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Serves Fort Worth, TXServices provided
See all 14 projectsFresh Content Society is a digital marketing agency specializing in Social Media Marketing, with a strong focus on social media management, content creation, and online branding. Their reviews reflect consistent satisfaction with their services, with approximately 95% of clients praising their ability to increase follower growth, engagement, and brand awareness across platforms. Clients commend their expertise in social media strategy and campaign execution, noting their adaptability and deep understanding of various industries.
$1,000+Undisclosed250 - 999Serves Fort Worth, TXServices provided
See all 441 projectsWebFX is a digital marketing agency specializing in services such as SEO, PPC, and Social Media Marketing, including Social Media Advertising and Strategy. According to the reviews, they maintain a highly organized project management approach and consistently deliver projects on time. Impressively, about 75% of reviewers praise WebFX for their professional communication and quick responsiveness, while 80% emphasize their expertise and the positive impact on lead generation and brand awareness.
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249Serves Fort Worth, TXServices provided
See all 60 projectsSociallyin is a digital marketing agency specializing in Social Media Strategy and Social Media Management. Across client reviews, 100% highlight their effective combination of creative storytelling and data-driven decision-making as key strengths. Clients report increased social media engagement and improved campaign performance, with several noting appreciable gains in website traffic and audience engagement.
$10,000+$200 - $300 / hr10 - 49Serves Fort Worth, TXServices provided
See all 5 projectsIron Roots is a digital marketing agency specializing in social media management and strategy, online branding, and social media advertising. Reviewers consistently praise their strategic insights and timely project delivery, resulting in increased engagement and growth in online presence. Impressively, 100% of reviewers noted their responsive communication, and over 80% highlighted Iron Roots' proactive and collaborative approach.
-
UndisclosedUndisclosed50 - 249Irving, TX
Services provided
Biorev Studios , a midsize social media marketing company, is in Irving, Texas and New Delhi, India. The team specializes in Social Media Marketing and Product Design.
Read more -
$25,000+Undisclosed10 - 49Dallas, TX
Services provided
Firehouse is an Advertising company. Their team is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The agency focuses on Advertising and Media Planning & Buying.
Read more -
Featured
What are Featured Providers?
$50,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Serves Fort Worth, TXServices provided
See all 16 projectsHotspex Media is a digital marketing agency specializing in social media advertising and digital strategy. A comprehensive analysis of their Clutch.co reviews reveals a 100% satisfaction rate, emphasizing their exceptional attention to detail and project management skills. Notable feedback highlights their expertise in social media campaigns and digital branding, with clients praising their ability to drive brand awareness and improve online reputation.
$1,000+$50 - $99 / hr2 - 9Serves Fort Worth, TXServices provided
See all 4 projectsPromoguy is a digital marketing agency specializing in Social Media Marketing, providing services such as Social Media Management and advertising. Their clients praise their reliability and proactive project management. With 100% positive feedback, they are recognized for delivering campaigns efficiently, optimizing LinkedIn and Google Ads, and offering good value for cost.
-
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Dallas, TX
Services provided
MCA Group is a public relations agency. The team focuses on Public Relations and Social Media Marketing and is located in Dallas, Texas.
Read more -
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Justin, TX
Services provided
BRANDED Digital Marketing Co. Is an Advertising company. Established in 2022, the agency specializes in Advertising and Social Media Marketing.
Read more -
Undisclosed$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Farmers Branch, TX
Services provided
InnoCurve is a Digital Strategy company founded in 2024. The firm provides Digital Strategy and Social Media Marketing.
Read more -
$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr1,000 - 9,999Plano, TX
Services provided
Launched in 2019, MIU Medical Billing is a social media marketing firm. The agency specializes in Social Media Marketing and Search Engine Optimization.
Read more -
$5,000+$50 - $99 / hrFreelancerJoshua, TX
Services provided
StarCima, LLC is a social media marketing firm. They are in Joshua, Texas and have small team of experts. Their services include Social Media Marketing and Search Engine Optimization.
Read more -
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Bedford, TX
Services provided
Founded in 2001, Advance Web Promotions is a small SEO services firm. Their team provides Search Engine Optimization and Social Media Marketing.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Dallas, TX
Services provided
Advice Interactive Group is a SEO agency launched in 2009. The small team focuses on Search Engine Optimization and Social Media Marketing.
Read more -
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Southlake, TX
Services provided
Headquartered in Southlake, Texas and Dallas, Texas, Ronkot Design, LLC is a social media marketing company. Established in 2013, the team focuses on Social Media Marketing and Email Marketing.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed50 - 249Dallas, TX
Services provided
Digital Pi is a branding company. In Dallas, Texas, their midsize team focuses on Branding and Social Media Marketing. The agency was launched in 2013.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Dallas, TX
Services provided
See all 1 projectsPro Branding Solutions is an expert branding and digital marketing agency. We offer a range services that design to generate leads and sales for your business.
Read more -
$1,000+$50 - $99 / hr10 - 49Dallas, TX
Services provided
101Media, a Marketing Strategy company, focuses on Marketing Strategy and Event Marketing. The firm is in Dallas, Texas.
Read more -
$1,000+$50 - $99 / hr10 - 49Farmers Branch, TX
Services provided
Fast Hippo Media is a social media marketing firm. The firm is based in Farmers Branch, Texas. Their team specializes in Social Media Marketing and Search Engine Optimization.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Dallas, TX
Services provided
Cooper Smith Agency Public Relations, a PR agency, was established in 2002. The team focuses on Public Relations and Content Marketing.
Read more -
$5,000+$50 - $99 / hr10 - 49Dallas, TX
Services provided
Hurst Digital is an Advertising company launched in 2002. In Dallas, Texas, the team provides Advertising and Branding.
Read more -
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Dallas, TX
Services provided
In San Antonio, Texas and Dallas, Texas, The Atkins Group (Advertising) is a small Advertising company. Their services include Advertising and Branding.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed50 - 249Dallas, TX
Services provided
Mod Op is a midsize Miami, Florida-based Advertising company. The team offers Advertising and Branding.
Read more -
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249Lewisville, TX
Services provided
Fence One Marketing is a SEO services firm. They were established in 2022 and specialize in Search Engine Optimization and Marketing Strategy.
Read more -
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Dallas, TX
Services provided
Located in Dallas, Texas, Phrasing is a Digital Strategy company. They specialize in Digital Strategy and Pay Per Click.
Read more -
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Plano, TX
Services provided
See all 15 projectsThe Social Nerds is a digital marketing agency specializing in Social Media Marketing, SEO, and Online Reputation Management. With 83% positive feedback, clients praise their professionalism, creativity, and tailored strategies. However, 17% mention potential areas for improvement, particularly in providing detailed reports and more personalized solutions. Their expertise in driving engagement and increasing online visibility is consistently highlighted by clients.
-
$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr10 - 49Northlake, TX
Services provided
DigiWebHelp, an Advertising company, is headquartered in Northlake, Texas. The team focuses on Advertising and Branding.
Read more -
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Keller, TX
Services provided
Digital Brand Makeover is a small branding agency founded in 2008. Their team offers Branding and Marketing Strategy.
Read more -
$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Dallas, TX
Services provided
SPM Communications is a public relations agency. Their team is based in Dallas, Texas. The agency focuses on Public Relations and Social Media Marketing.
Read more -
$1,000+Undisclosed10 - 49Addison, TX
Services provided
Located in Addison, Texas, Social Strategy1 is a PPC agency. The team specializes in Pay Per Click and Social Media Marketing.
Read more -
$25,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Dallas, TX
Services provided
SEO Las Vegas Pros is a SEO company founded in 2023. The company provides Search Engine Optimization and Social Media Marketing.
Read more -
$10,000+$300+ / hr10 - 49Dallas, TX
Services provided
Mixto Creative House is a social media marketing agency. Established in 2021, the agency is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Their team specializes in Social Media Marketing and Content Marketing.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Dallas, TX
Services provided
Small social media marketing company and Content Writing Services company The Shaddock Agency, is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. The team provides Social Media Marketing and Content Writing
Read more -
$1,000+$50 - $99 / hr10 - 49Dallas, TX
Services provided
Rightclixs LLC is a web design company. The team focuses on Web Design and Social Media Marketing and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Northlake, TX
Services provided
Predictive Online Marketing is a PPC company based in Northlake, Texas. They focus on Pay Per Click and Social Media Marketing.
Read more -
$1,000+Undisclosed2 - 9Dallas, TX
Services provided
The Nix Company is a Marketing Strategy company. Established in 2018, the team offers Marketing Strategy and Social Media Marketing.
Read more -
$250,000+$150 - $199 / hr250 - 999Plano, TX
Services provided
Cheil USA, a Digital Strategy company, was established in 1992. The team specializes in Digital Strategy and Social Media Marketing.
Read more -
$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr250 - 999Dallas, TX
Services provided
Book Marketing is a midsize social media marketing firm founded in 2018. Their services include Social Media Marketing and Content Marketing.
Read more -
$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Lewisville, TX
Services provided
SodaPop Media, LLC is an Other Marketing company. Established in 2004, the agency provides Other Marketing and Web Design.
Read more -
$1,000+$50 - $99 / hr2 - 9Roanoke, TX
Services provided
Xuberan Digital is a Digital Strategy company. Their team is located in Roanoke, Texas. The company provides Digital Strategy and Social Media Marketing.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Dallas, TX
Services provided
Iluminere is an Advertising company based in Dallas, Texas. Established in 2016, the team specializes in Advertising and Digital Strategy.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed250 - 999Frisco, TX
Services provided
Brierley is a Marketing Strategy company headquartered in Frisco, Texas and London, England. The team offers Marketing Strategy and CRM consulting and SI.
Read more -
$1,000+$50 - $99 / hr10 - 49Addison, TX
Services provided
Stagetek Branding Agency is a web design agency. Founded in 2011, the firm is headquartered in Addison, Texas. Their services include Web Design and Search Engine Optimization.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed50 - 249Dallas, TX
Services provided
American Web Geeks is a branding company established in 2023. The team focuses on Branding and Social Media Marketing.
Read more -
Undisclosed< $25 / hr2 - 9Farmers Branch, TX
Services provided
Located in Farmers Branch, Texas, AmeritechDigitalGrp - Digital Marketing Agency in Dallas is a Digital Strategy company. They focus on Digital Strategy and Social Media Marketing.
Read more -
$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr10 - 49Dallas, TX
Services provided
The Rank Tech, LLC is a Dallas, Texas-based social media marketing company. The team specializes in Social Media Marketing and Search Engine Optimization.
Read more -
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Dallas, TX
Services provided
Multitool Marketing is a social media marketing firm founded in 2021. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, the team specializes in Social Media Marketing and Content Marketing.
Read more -
$1,000+Undisclosed2 - 9Flower Mound, TX
Services provided
6 Degrees Media, a Marketing Strategy company, was founded in 2021. The small team focuses on Marketing Strategy and Branding.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed50 - 249Dallas, TX
Services provided
Online Marketing Gurus US, a SEO services firm, is in Dallas, Texas. The team provides Search Engine Optimization and Social Media Marketing.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Irving, TX
Services provided
Say-So Agency is a small video production agency headquartered in Irving, Texas. The team specializes in Video Production and Social Media Marketing.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9Dallas, TX
Services provided
Direct Booking IQ is a Dallas, Texas-based social media marketing firm and pay per click agency. They provide Social Media Marketing and Pay Per Click and were launched in 2018.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Dallas, TX
Services provided
Based in Dallas, Texas, SEO Runners is a social media marketing agency. The team provides Social Media Marketing and Content Marketing.
Read more -
UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Lewisville, TX
Services provided
Jazan Technologies is a social media marketing agency. Based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Lewisville, Texas, their team provides Social Media Marketing and Print Design.
Read more -
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249Dallas, TX
Services provided
Based in Dallas, Texas, DMNmedia is an Advertising company. Founded in 1985, the team focuses on Advertising and Branding.
Read more -
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Dallas, TX
Services provided
Founded in 2013, White Pants Agency is a Digital Strategy company. Their services include Digital Strategy and Marketing Strategy.
Read more
Share your project goals, and we’ll connect you with verified partners who fit your budget and timeline.
Get My Matches
Tell us what you need — we’ll match you with top agencies in minutes.
Get My MatchesWhy Trust Clutch
At Clutch, we believe trust is the foundation of every business relationship. Our mission is to help buyers make confident, data-backed decisions informed by real client experiences.
Every review on Clutch undergoes a rigorous, human-led verification process to make sure it’s valid. Our team of specialists confirms the identity of each reviewer, ensures the project is legitimate, and only publishes reviews that meet our strict criteria.
Verification doesn’t stop at the point of publication. Our Trust & Safety team routinely audits older reviews against our guidelines. When reviews fall short of our standards, we remove them.
We evaluate service providers using a structured methodology that combines:
- In-depth client interviews and ratings
- Comprehensive project details
- Market presence
- Portfolio examples and industry recognition
This data powers tools like the Leaders Matrix, which helps you compare agencies directly. Our research team curates rankings by weighing verified reviews most heavily, so the most trusted and experienced providers rise to the top.
Using this unique combination of verified client feedback and provider-supplied insights, Clutch distills the most important details into clear, digestible summaries so you have everything you need to make confident, informed decisions quickly.
We take fraud seriously. Providers who violate our guidelines may face lower rankings, restricted visibility, or removal from the platform altogether.
Clutch’s commitment to transparency is ongoing. We’re constantly refining our systems to protect the integrity of reviews and support you in finding the right agency.
List of the Top 13 Fort Worth Social Media Marketing Agencies
-
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Arlington, TX
Ability to deliver
36.1/40.017.4/20 Reviews9.2/10 Clients & Experience9.4/10 Market PresenceService focus
10% Social Media Marketing90% Other -
$5,000+$50 - $99 / hr10 - 49Euless, TX
Ability to deliver
31/40.015.8/20 Reviews9.2/10 Clients & Experience5.9/10 Market PresenceService focus
10% Social Media Marketing90% Other -
$1,000+$50 - $99 / hr2 - 9Fort Worth, TX
Ability to deliver
28/40.016.2/20 Reviews6.4/10 Clients & Experience5.3/10 Market PresenceService focus
25% Social Media Marketing75% Other -
UndisclosedUndisclosed1,000 - 9,999Fort Worth, TX
Ability to deliver
19.4/40.08.8/20 Reviews4.6/10 Clients & Experience6/10 Market PresenceService focus
30% Social Media Marketing70% Other -
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Fort Worth, TX
Ability to deliver
26.9/40.016.2/20 Reviews5.2/10 Clients & Experience5.5/10 Market PresenceService focus
20% Social Media Marketing80% Other -
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Fort Worth, TX
Ability to deliver
27/40.016.2/20 Reviews5.3/10 Clients & Experience5.5/10 Market PresenceService focus
10% Social Media Marketing90% Other -
$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr10 - 49Fort Worth, TX
Ability to deliver
24.6/40.016.2/20 Reviews2.9/10 Clients & Experience5.5/10 Market PresenceService focus
10% Social Media Marketing90% Other -
$1,000+< $25 / hr10 - 49Fort Worth, TX
Ability to deliver
22.2/40.016.2/20 Reviews2/10 Clients & Experience4/10 Market PresenceService focus
20% Social Media Marketing80% Other -
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Fort Worth, TX
Ability to deliver
21.8/40.016.2/20 Reviews0/10 Clients & Experience5.6/10 Market PresenceService focus
20% Social Media Marketing80% Other -
Undisclosed$50 - $99 / hr2 - 9Richland Hills, TX
Ability to deliver
21.1/40.016.2/20 Reviews0/10 Clients & Experience4.9/10 Market PresenceService focus
20% Social Media Marketing80% Other -
$1,000+$50 - $99 / hr2 - 9Fort Worth, TX
Ability to deliver
20.8/40.016.2/20 Reviews0/10 Clients & Experience4.6/10 Market PresenceService focus
10% Social Media Marketing90% Other -
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Arlington, TX
Ability to deliver
18.6/40.015.8/20 Reviews2.8/10 Clients & Experience0/10 Market PresenceService focus
10% Social Media Marketing90% Other -
Undisclosed$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Fort Worth, TX
Ability to deliver
12/40.00/20 Reviews6/10 Clients & Experience6/10 Market PresenceService focus
10% Social Media Marketing90% Other -
$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr50 - 249Fort Worth, TX
Ability to deliver
5.8/40.00/20 Reviews1.8/10 Clients & Experience4/10 Market PresenceService focus
25% Social Media Marketing75% Other -
$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr50 - 249Arlington, TX
Ability to deliver
9.6/40.00/20 Reviews4.2/10 Clients & Experience5.3/10 Market PresenceService focus
10% Social Media Marketing90% Other -
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr50 - 249Dallas, TX
Ability to deliver
35.2/40.016.4/20 Reviews9.5/10 Clients & Experience9.3/10 Market PresenceService focus
10% Social Media Marketing90% Other -
$1,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Colleyville, TX
Ability to deliver
30.6/40.016.2/20 Reviews9.1/10 Clients & Experience5.3/10 Market PresenceService focus
25% Social Media Marketing75% Other -
UndisclosedUndisclosed50 - 249Fort Worth, TX
Ability to deliver
8.3/40.00/20 Reviews1.5/10 Clients & Experience6.8/10 Market PresenceService focus
10% Social Media Marketing90% Other -
$1,000+$50 - $99 / hr2 - 9Fort Worth, TX
Ability to deliver
8.6/40.00/20 Reviews4/10 Clients & Experience4.6/10 Market PresenceService focus
10% Social Media Marketing90% Other -
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Dallas, TX
Ability to deliver
32.7/40.017.2/20 Reviews8.3/10 Clients & Experience7.2/10 Market PresenceService focus
30% Social Media Marketing70% Other -
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Fort Worth, TX
Ability to deliver
23.7/40.016.2/20 Reviews1.7/10 Clients & Experience5.8/10 Market PresenceService focus
10% Social Media Marketing90% Other -
$1,000+$50 - $99 / hr2 - 9Fort Worth, TX
Ability to deliver
7.2/40.00/20 Reviews3.2/10 Clients & Experience4/10 Market PresenceService focus
15% Social Media Marketing85% Other -
UndisclosedUndisclosed250 - 999Irving, TX
Ability to deliver
27.3/40.013/20 Reviews8.3/10 Clients & Experience6/10 Market PresenceService focus
10% Social Media Marketing90% Other -
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Dallas, TX
Ability to deliver
33.2/40.017.6/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience5.7/10 Market PresenceService focus
20% Social Media Marketing80% Other -
UndisclosedUndisclosed250 - 999Fort Worth, TX
Ability to deliver
5.8/40.00/20 Reviews0/10 Clients & Experience5.8/10 Market PresenceService focus
10% Social Media Marketing90% Other -
$5,000+Undisclosed10 - 49Irving, TX
Ability to deliver
25.7/40.015.4/20 Reviews4.4/10 Clients & Experience6/10 Market PresenceService focus
25% Social Media Marketing75% Other -
UndisclosedUndisclosed10 - 49Fort Worth, TX
Ability to deliver
5.2/40.00/20 Reviews0/10 Clients & Experience5.2/10 Market PresenceService focus
20% Social Media Marketing80% Other -
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Fort Worth, TX
Ability to deliver
5.6/40.00/20 Reviews0/10 Clients & Experience5.5/10 Market PresenceService focus
20% Social Media Marketing80% Other
Latest Social Media Marketing Articles
See all articles
Top 4 Ways to Turn Reddit Engagement into AI-Driven Lead Generation
Capture your audience’s attention and convert them into quality leads by leveraging these AI-driven Reddit SEO best practices.
Fort Worth Social Media Marketing FAQs
Working with a local social media marketing firm means faster, face-to-face collaboration and first-hand knowledge of DFW consumer trends. Fort Worth-based teams understand regional events—like the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo—or university calendars at TCU and UNT Health Science Center, helping campaigns resonate with nearby audiences. Plus, same-time-zone communication keeps projects on schedule.
Pricing varies thanks to several factors, but most Fort Worth SMM agencies charge around:
- Hourly rates: $100 – $175
- Monthly retainers: $2,500 – $10,000 for ongoing content, community management, and paid ads
- One-off campaigns: $5,000 – $25,000 depending on creative scope and ad spend
Boutique agencies may offer starter packages for startups, while larger firms handle multi-channel programs that include influencer management and video production. Don’t forget to request a quote for your project to review the cost breakdown and ensure transparency.
Local social media marketing agencies frequently support a myriad of markets thanks to Texas’ competitive and dynamic business environment. Many firms here specialize in verticals like:
- Aerospace and defense suppliers clustered near NAS JRB and Lockheed Martin
- Energy and logistics companies along the I-35 corridor
- Healthcare providers anchored by Texas Health Resources and Cook Children’s
- Lifestyle, tourism, and hospitality brands in the Cultural District and Stockyards
- Higher-ed programs at TCU, Texas Wesleyan, and Tarrant County College
- Define your project’s needs and goals—i.e., awareness, lead gen, or e-commerce sales.
- Check Clutch reviews for proof of ROI and communication style.
- Review platform expertise—does the team excel on TikTok or LinkedIn?
- Request local case studies that show success within the Dallas–Fort Worth market.
- Evaluate reporting tools and KPIs (engagement rate, CAC, ROAS).
Take advantage of the data-driven resources and client ratings on Clutch to assess potential firms. Meet shortlisted agencies in person or via video to gauge cultural fit before signing.
- Guaranteed follower counts or viral claims without data to back them up
- Vague pricing with hidden ad-spend markups
- Limited access to ad accounts or analytics dashboards
- One-size-fits-all content calendars that ignore your industry nuances
- High employee turnover—ask who will actually manage your account and their tenure
Ignoring these red flags can lead to headaches and costly issues in the future. Be proactive when searching for a partner; make sure to avoid these warning signs early.