Every business is unique, which means that every business has unique needs. Just because a social media campaign performed well for one company doesn’t mean that the same type of campaign will perform well for yours. Working with a marketing agency that understands your industry can be advantageous to your brand’s overall growth and success. That said, finding the right agency to meet your needs is easier said than done.
If you’re considering hiring a marketing agency there are some things that you’ll want to keep in mind. Keep reading to find out the advantages of hiring an agency and how to find one that understands your industry.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Marketing Agency?
Before going any further, it’s important to first understand the benefits of hiring a marketing agency. A marketing agency can be beneficial regardless of your company’s size. If you’re a startup, your team may be lacking in specific areas of expertise. Onboarding an agency can allow your team to focus on the tactics and projects they excel at, allowing the agency to handle everything else. For larger companies with big marketing teams, an agency can help develop a strategy that you may not have considered before.
Working with top marketing agencies means that you’ll get the results you desire in a shorter, more efficient amount of time. You’ll have access to specialists from SEO and content marketing to Google Ads and social media. Agencies will work with your existing team to figure out a path that makes the most sense for your brand. You can keep agencies on retainer so they can pick back up without missing a beat on projects where you need more assistance. And because the goal of an agency is real results, you know that you’re getting the best ROI by working with a team that wants you to succeed.
Now that you have a sense of some of the benefits of working with a marketing agency, here are some tips to help you find one for your specific industry.
1. Understand Their Offerings
The first step to selecting an agency for your specific industry is to research their offerings and services. There are typically two different types of agencies: full-service and specialized agencies. Working with a full-service agency means that they have experience in various marketing strategies. However, because of their broad knowledge, they don’t have a particular forte. If you want to only enhance your social media campaigns, you’ll likely want to work with a specialized agency that is an expert in social media.
Take a look at the agency’s website and see if their offerings match your main objectives. Remember that more isn’t always better. If you see a laundry list of services, you may want to inquire about which ones they utilize the most. An agency that is trying to serve everyone may not be the best fit for your specific industry.
2. Read Client Testimonials and Reviews
While you may not want to work with the same marketing agency as your direct competitor, it can be advantageous to choose one that is familiar with your offerings. By reading client testimonials and reviews, you can see firsthand who the agency has recently worked with. This can also give you a sense if they will be a good match for your brand.
Some agencies may also provide case studies on their website. Look at these and see if their services will suit your needs. If you don’t see any case studies, just ask! A successful agency should be willing to share the recent work they’ve done to highlight their achievements. Knowing what they are capable of doing can help you make the most informed selection.
3. Meet With the Team and Ask for a Marketing Pitch
Meeting with the agency face-to-face or via video call can be the last step in making your decision. The information you receive via email or over the phone may seem great until you meet with the team. Just like in hiring, you’ll likely have a gut instinct when speaking with an agency live. Consider this the final round of interviews, asking only your top 3-5 choices to speak with you and your team.
Before you meet with the agency, make sure to have a list of questions that will assist you in making the best decision. It’s important to ask about the nitty-gritty details such as how long they expect a project to last, what costs they anticipate with the project, and how you’ll be working with them. Additionally, you should ask them to pitch you a plan that will help you evaluate how well you know your business and larger industry. This pitch can be quite telling in terms of what they can bring to the table and the creativity you can expect if you decide to work with them.
Takeaways
Thousands of marketing agencies would love to get your business. But finding the right one for your brand and unique industry can be challenging. Keep the above tips in mind when considering which one to hire, knowing there is an agency out there that will be a suitable match.
