Thanks to the digital landscape, opportunity to connect with customers has never been easier – if you can get their attention that is. Between 2008 and 2018 there has been an 800% increase in digital advertising sales and attempting to raise your voice above the crowd without expert knowledge can be quite a challenge. *
Partnership with a digital marketing agency is an essential step in the growth of any business, but within such an expansive field, it’s important to make sure you find the perfect fit.
Here are some important tips to consider:
1. Don’t rush the decision
Seeking out new marketing options can often follow a downturn in business and while it’s natural to feel a sense of urgency about resolving things, now is not the time for a quick fix.
Similar to the process of choosing an employee, agencies should be interviewed to assess their experience and competence. Marketing strategies take a while to build results so it’s important to make time upfront to ensure you’ll be partnering with an agency you feel comfortable with.
2. Be prepared
Before setting up agency meetings, it’s important to be clear on what you want to achieve for your brand. Identify key issues and marketing goals and be prepared to discuss these, along with your budget.
The more specific you can be with a brief, the better the agency can assess your needs and plan a strategy with measurable outcomes.
3. Do your research
Rather than trying to find the ‘perfect agency’, look for the perfect fit for your business. Every digital agency has its specialisations and a quick look through the website and previous campaigns of a company you’re considering can prove very insightful.
Ask – Has the agency worked with other companies in your industry? Do they focus on businesses of a similar size? Have they successfully solved problems for another client that you’d also like to solve? If so, it’s a good sign they’ll be able to deliver results.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask questions
Make sure the agency you choose has enough expertise and experience within your field to achieve results you are after. Rather than a ‘one size fits all’ approach, you’ll want an agency that knows your industry inside out and can tailor a marketing strategy to the specific needs of your business.
Don’t be afraid to ask representatives from the agency who they consider to be influences in your industry, and which channels will be used to deliver the brand’s message. Ask why they would recommend one marketing strategy over another for your particular situation, and assess how well they know your potential customers.
5. Clarify your expectations.
It’s important to clarify upfront how much communication and attention you’ll be expecting once a marketing strategy is underway, and also which reports will be provided to assess progress.
You’ll want your agency to be accountable and deliver results that can be measured, but realising that marketing often has long-term goals, it’s essential to discuss goals and key checkpoints with any potential agency before launching a campaign.
Key Takeaways
- Invest time in finding the agency that’s a perfect fit for your business.
- Come to meetings prepared to discuss your brand’s key issues, budget and marketing expectations in as much detail as possible.
- Look for an agency’s success with similar companies in your industry, and ask why their recommended strategy will work for your brand.
- Agree upfront on goals for the partnership, and how to measure success throughout the process.
