When it comes to narrowing down your search for a marketing agency, there are some factors to keep in mind that will hopefully help you find the very best partner for your business. If you read our previous blog on Finding the Perfect Match for Your Business, you are familiar with the different types of agreements, the varying array of services firms may offer, and other considerations when choosing an agency.
In this blog, we’re going to dive a bit deeper into the process of selecting a marketing agency and hopefully get you one step closer to having the knowledge and confidence needed to embark on this new and hopefully fulfilling partnership.
What are the values of the marketing agency?
This may seem abstract, but it’s actually a super important component to consider when selecting an agency to support you in your marketing efforts. Since this firm will likely be an extension of your business and your team, you want their values to closely align with yours. At 1558 Brand Agency, one of our main values is intentionality. We strive to be intentional in everything we do.
Let’s put an example to that. We’re not going to “push” some initiative on you because it’s trendy, or because company xyz did that, and therefore you should too. We are going to give you individual, personalized service and assess which deliverables and platforms are best for your business, and your long-term goals. So, when looking at values, be sure the firm’s mindset is something that is either similar or complementary to yours.
Is the agency a full-service firm, or do they have a specific area of focus?
Many times, marketing firms have particular expertise in one area – it could be digital marketing, website development, SEO, or a number of other arenas. Or, the firm could be a full-service agency, like 1558 Brand Agency. This means they employ experts in all of the popular areas, including copywriters, graphic design specialists, web developers, marketing strategists, SEO experts, media relations liaisons, and more.
It all comes back to your needs as an organization. If you have a specific project you’re looking for support on, like a new website, then it may make sense to hire a firm with that focus – or you may even know some freelancers who build websites on the side. However, if you’re looking for more of a big-picture marketing strategy, or you are just now starting to consider marketing for your business, then a full-service agency may be for you since they will serve as more of a partner and less of a vendor.
What is the size of the agency and how do they prefer to do business?
Are you looking at a local, boutique marketing agency, with 10 employees, or are you interested in a global firm, complete with 50+ worldwide offices? The style and size of the firm you select will directly impact the look, feel, and execution of your marketing strategy. A global firm may assign a team to your business, and will likely have experts in a variety of fields. However, they will not be able to give you the personalized level of service that a local, boutique marketing agency can give you.
After all, marketing is essentially telling your audience, or prospective clients, who you are and what your value to them can be. The benefit of a local small business will be the necessary face-to-face time to get to know your niche and specific needs. The other area that comes into play with location is communication between the two parties. For instance, you should always ask how (and how often) you will check in with one another for things like weekly tag-ups, creative brainstorming sessions, analytics breakdowns, strategy re-evaluations, and more.
If you have a 12-month marketing plan, just remember it is a fluid process. It takes focus, along with the ability to be flexible and reassess when needed. Collaboration is going to be a key factor, and accessibility is something that should be valued in an agency. Once again, this comes back to the partnership. Do you want a vendor who is just going to bill you and run? Or, do you prefer your marketing agency to act as an extension of your team?
Anything Else I Should Consider?
The last thing we want to stress when looking to bring in an outside marketing firm is to do your homework on their reputation, their output, and client interaction and satisfaction. Just as it’s commonplace nowadays to check online reviews on products, restaurants, and services, those same high standards should go into whomever you end up hiring. Better yet, ask others who they are using for their marketing and if they are happy with them and experiencing good results. Especially if you’ve never used an outside firm before, it’s always better to leverage somebody else’s recommendation that you trust.
If you’d like more information on what it’s like to partner with a full-service, boutique marketing firm local to Dallas/Fort Worth, give us a call today at +1 (469) 612-5398 or send us an email at connect@1558brand.com.
Also…please check out our other blogs in this series!
Reaching your Goals with the Right Marketing Partner – The top reasons you may need to outsource your marketing needs.
Finding the Perfect Match for your Business – How to choose the right marketing agency partner and where to find one.