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Jan 23, 2023
So, after weeks of careful thinking and deliberation, you’ve finally made a huge decision for your company: you're ready to hire a marketing agency.
First of all, congratulations! That’s a game-changing decision for sure. Nothing says success like leaving all the marketing efforts to the experts while you go ahead and run your business. Many business owners can definitely attest to that.
While teaming up with a marketing firm is an exciting step forward, it can also be intimidating at the same time. There are so many things that need to come together for the perfect marketing partnership – from the team’s creativity, to their process and technology capabilities, and to understanding each other’s goals.
And, with so many marketing companies out there vying for your attention and money, how do you know who to pick? Indeed, it can get complicated, but no need to fret! Your friendly folks here at DR will be guiding you every step of the way.
Asking the right questions is key to finding the right marketing agency for you, and this post will reveal what these right questions are. Let’s take a look at them right now!
Not all marketing agencies offer the same specializations. Some might only focus on producing commercials, others are all about making banners and billboards, and then we have companies that are focused on crafting marketing strategies to grow the online presence of their clients.
That being said, you want to make sure that the marketing firm you choose is one that exactly knows how to hit your target. For instance, if your goal is to get your website ranking in Google’s page one, then it makes perfect sense to shop around for digital marketing agencies, particularly those that specialize in search engine optimization.
You wouldn’t wanna go for a company that mostly deals with ads, would you?
Also, if the agency you’re interviewing claims they specialize in everything, consider it a red flag because let’s be honest, there’s no company that can do it all.
They’re either bluffing to entice you or aren’t so sure what their strong suit really is. So, in case you encounter one, say no or you’ll end up flushing your money down the toilet.
Here’s something to keep in mind: hiring a marketing agency means hiring a partner who will work with you, not for you. This means working as a team to achieve growth for your company. That’s why you should gain a clear understanding of what they’re expecting from you.
Leaving your would-be agency partner to rely on guesswork will only spell disaster for your business. Ask them what they specifically need from you in order to make their job easier. And, if their expectations sound a bit too much for you to handle, that’s when you decide that they’re not the right choice for you.
Besides giving you the guarantee that you’re getting the results you’re expecting, good reporting and data helps you justify your company’s spend on marketing initiatives.
Discuss metrics, analytics, and benchmarks. Ask the agency what methods they use to communicate reports on progress and results, how often they’ll produce these reports, which marketing channels perform best, and what adjustments they can make if they see that their marketing campaign isn't effective.
Also, pay attention to how they present their report. You can tell that a marketing team values their clients if they explain their data in an easy-to-understand way. One such example is avoiding the use of complicated and jargon-heavy terms.
Although this isn’t really a big must, hiring a marketing agency that has had businesses like you as their clients can give them a head start on your project.
Since they’re already familiar with the ins and outs of your field, you can breathe easy knowing that you’re in good hands.
If this would be the first time they collaborate with a company like you, however, don’t shrug them off immediately. Just because they haven't had any past experiences doesn't mean that they'll never be the right marketing company for you.
Instead, have them explain what they can bring to the table. This will challenge them to step up their game, especially as they’re looking at you as their first success story in your industry. Who knows, they might just turn out to be the best marketing partner you could ever have!
One of the best ways to determine whether you're choosing the right agency is by looking at samples of their work, relevant case studies, or even a marketing strategy that brought huge success to one of their clients.
Doing so gives you lots of insights into their capabilities, the quality of their output, and the results they deliver. Seeing successful outputs proves that they’re up to the task and can do the job you need them to.
Plus, knowing what to expect ahead of time can save you time, money, and headaches down the road.
Also, pay attention to how they respond when you're making the request. If you notice that they're a bit hesitant, it could be a sign that they're not as good as they claim to be. A reputable marketing company will be happy to show their past projects despite the not-so-impressive results they've generated.
To hire a marketing agency that's right for your business, you'll need to discuss money matters as candidly as you can. As a potential client, you deserve to know the overall cost of your project.
What deliverables should you expect? Are there any variables or contingencies that could affect cost along the way? How much should you pay to start and when are the rest of the project costs due? What happens if your project exceeds the budget? How do you bill for your services?
Each marketing agency will assign a particular person to assist their clients. Ask about their availability, whether they have a direct number you can contact, and their protocol for weekend emergencies.
Then again, they may not always be around, considering that they might also be busy taking care of other clients. So, make sure to ask the marketing manager who else can assist you in case an issue suddenly arises.
An agency that promises you substantial ROI in just a couple of months is one that you must stay away from. Based on our years of experience as a digital marketing company, marketing efforts take time to yield results. Although this is the case, the results won’t only make a significant impact on your business, but they’re long-lasting as well.
Also, try to ask them for a breakdown of the factors that could possibly affect the results. A good marketing agency will gladly provide clients with an honest and reasonable timeline while taking into account all those particular factors.
Are you actually on the hunt for an experienced marketing agency that can take your business to the next level through online means? Well then, look no further than Digital Resource to get the job done!
Whether you need help driving more traffic to your website, expand your social media following, or develop a mobile-friendly website, our award-winning team knows what it takes to turn those goals of yours into a reality.
Contact us today to kick off your journey to success!
Think you've got what it takes to hang with the pros at Digital Resource? Check out our Careers page to browse current job openings!
