Marketing is weird. On the one hand, most business owners don’t really see themselves as marketers. They had an idea, they were passionate enough about it to make it real, and to them, that thing—the product or service is the business.
And that’s great for the business owner. But to the public what a business represents will largely be presented to them in the form of marketing. More people will inevitably experience your marketing messages than they will the actual product itself. This puts a lot of pressure on hiring the right marketing agency. They won’t just sell your product: they will tell the world who you are. Don’t fret. With the right knowledge, you can choose the right marketing agency for your needs.
How to Find the Right Digital Marketing Agency
It’s important to know what to look for in a marketing agency. You probably won’t be well acquainted with the industry, which means that a degree of research may be to help you distinguish between competing firms. You want to be calm and collected as you make your decision so that you can pick not just the best agency, but the right agency for your specific goals.
Consider The Agency As a Whole
As you work to choose the right marketing agency it’s important to consider the business as a unit. What does it feel like to interact with them? Do they compliment your values? Are they aligned with your brand image?
An agency might be talented at what they do, but that doesn’t mean that the services they produce are what you are looking for. In the same way Stephen King novels are great for horror lovers but not so good for people looking for a good romance, some marketing skills will be more aligned with what you are looking for than others.
Take a Peek at Their Portfolio
So, when trying to choose the right marketing agency, how can you learn if an agency is a good fit for your needs? The surest way is to take a look at their portfolio. Take a look at the work they’ve done before. Does it match the tone you are looking for?
Always Read Reviews
People usually don’t always right reviews when things go right, but when they go wrong, it’s usually well documented. Thanks to things like Google Review, it’s easy not only to find out what people really think about a marketing agency but also to communicate directly with previous clients.
How’s Their Social Presence?
Digital marketers should have a digital footprint. As you look to choose the right marketing agency, take a look at what their online presence is like. What kind of content do they produce for themselves? How does it compare with the work of similar agencies?
Also consider where they show up online. Can you find the agency on various marketing directories and platforms such as Clutch or DesignRush? For an example of what to look for, check out The Growth Shark DesignRush Profile.
Questions to Consider When Choosing a Marketing Agency
There are important questions to think about as you look into how to choose the right marketing agency. Questions you should ask yourself and the business you are thinking about hiring.
What Services Do They Offer?
First of all, what can this service do for your business? Are they a full-service agency, or do they work primarily with social media?
What Services Do You Need From A Marketing Agency?
Naturally, you must also think about your specific needs. Are you looking for someone to help you with your social media game? SEO, content creation, etc? Or maybe you need an agency that will be able to audit your business themselves and come up with a custom strategy that blends a variety of different marketing techniques.
Knowing what you need is the first step to getting it.
What Type of Clients Do They Serve?
Some agencies can get very niche, working only with specific types of businesses. Others work with a broad range of different businesses. Both are perfectly valid ways of doing things, but for your purposes, it’s good to know where the marketing agency is coming from.
Where Are They Located?
Location can potentially be an important aspect of figuring out how to choose the right marketing agency. While good marketing can technically happen anywhere, sometimes having a local flare to your messaging can be very valuable.
How Big Is Their Team?
Do they have enough people to handle a brand that is your size? Large accounts often require a lot of support. Small firms may not be able to handle the needs of a big marketing campaign.
When You Think About Your Agency…
Hiring a marketing agency should be a fun milestone for your business. When you think about a particular agency, what does it feel like? Are you excited by the prospect of working with them, or does it make you feel stressed out?
You Should Be Excited!
When the fit is right, there shouldn’t be any stress. You want to go with a marketing agency that makes you feel excited for the future of your brand. If you don’t feel that way, chances are pretty good that the agency isn’t a good fit.
You Should Feel Successful
And of course, the ultimate job of a marketing agency is to help you find success. Is the agency you selected helping you reach your goals? If so, great! It’s a good match. If not, you should look for someone else.
Marketing Shouldn’t Be Scary
You may not know all the terminology, but you should have a good feel for what is going on with your marketing campaign. If you feel uncomfortable or in the dark, it’s probably not a good sign.
You Should Trust Your Marketing Agency
Choose a marketing agency you trust. Remember, you’re not just hiring someone for a job, you’re hiring them to help create the public face of your business. It’s a big responsibility.
Your Marketing Doesn’t Have To Be Stressful
Marketing doesn’t have to be stressful. When you find the right team, anything is possible so don’t settle for less than the best.
Ready to Step Up Your Marketing?
Don’t be afraid to reach out to multiple agencies once you’ve done your research. Feel free to ask as many questions as you want. This is an important relationship that can, and hopefully will last for years to come. You need to make sure you get it right.
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