6 Factors to Consider When Hiring a Marketing Agency
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Are you thinking of hiring a marketing agency? We will tell you what to look for in order to make the right choice. But in the beginning, you should know that you can find marketing agencies in the market that practice different approaches.
Specialized Marketing Agencies vs. Integrated Marketing Agencies
Specialized marketing agency
Specialized marketing agencies are agencies that provide one or more specific services.
For example, an SEO agency helps your site rank well in Google Search. The idea is simple: better visibility generates more leads.
A web design agency, on the other hand, can develop stunning website designs that will convert more visitors. By specializing, these agencies get you the best results in a given marketing area.
Integrated marketing agency
An integrated marketing agency is simply an agency that specializes in a whole range of services, not one or two. It has specialists with different skills.
This offers the advantage of providing services in various areas of marketing, and thereby creating a holistic marketing strategy. For example, an agency can not only provide an effective SEO but also take care of running advertising campaigns and so on.
Through its model, the integrated marketing agency focuses on providing a solution, not just a service. Given that growing businesses need multiple services at once, it is clear why integrated marketing agencies are in demand.
Below is a list of seven things to look for when hiring an agency:
1. Do they have a current working practice?
Are the tactics and strategies working to drive conversions? Can they show a sample marketing strategy that they have executed in the past? What services or creative strategies do they use? How would this fit your business and goals?
Once you find a few marketing agencies, set up a free consultation. They should be open about pricing, what you can expect from them as far as results, and what type of planning is involved with the campaign. If it is too vague, then move on! Don't forget to ask for references from previous clients.
2. Do they enjoy discussing digital marketing?
Do they have a blog? How often are they blogging or creating content?
What is the quality of their writing within these posts? Do you see thorough research and case studies being done to support their point of view?
If they don't have a blog, then consider that to be a red flag. They should have some type of online presence with social media accounts or at least be able to show you what the business has been doing over the past year in terms of digital marketing.
3. Are they complete in terms of their talents?
Being well-rounded in terms of strategies and marketing approaches is important because it allows the marketing agency to do a more integrated approach across multiple platforms.
This integrated approach is key for increasing conversions within your business which is why it's important to find someone who can work on different media platforms.
There are tons of digital marketers out there but make sure they are knowledgeable about different types of media platforms including social media, online advertisements, email campaigns, blog posts, content development, SEO etc.
4. Is there any documentation to back up their claims?
Does their site show previous client testimonials or samples B2B marketing funnels or other work they have completed? Or can they give you case studies of past projects? What do their other clients have to say?
Is there a scope of work document that outlines the timeframe, deliverables, costs, etc.? Make sure that everything is outlined or else there may be misunderstandings later or hidden fees that come up.
5. Is their website evidence of good marketing practice?
Some great ways to tell if a marketing company is practicing what they preach in terms of marketing on their site includes the following:
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There should be blog posts available that show integrated marketing strategies with blogs integrated across different media platforms, including social media, online advertising, direct mail, print ads.
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They should also have samples of work they have done for other clients.
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On the agency's website, there should be testimonials from other clients. You can also contact references that are listed on the site to ask them for their thoughts on the service.
6. Are their bosses readily accessible?
Will they be available to aid throughout the process and for any additional questions you may have throughout the duration of the project? It's key that your content marketing agency or marketing company has a person readily available who can answer all your questions.
Conclusion
In today's digital world, an integrated marketing agency is a must-have. The integrated approach of using different media platforms and channels to drive conversions can make or break your company.
If you're looking for an integrated agency that will create a cohesive online presence with integrated strategies across social media, blog posts content development, SEO, email campaigns and more follow the above tips.
By Tim Absalikov. Tim is the CEO of Lasting Trend agency.
