Thinking about hiring a marketing agency can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. It’s always exciting to think about taking yourself or your business to that next level. Setting and meeting your goals. As human beings, that’s what we thrive on, that’s what makes us tick.
Of the same token, change can be scary. It’s the difference between leaving the comfort of your warm, comfy bed to hit the gym because you know that’s what you want. It’s the absence of what’s safe and comfortable. But you know what? Sometimes that’s what we need to shock the life back into us.
So, you’re thinking of hiring a marketing agency. You may be considering this option for a number of reasons:
- You want to grow your business
- You lack the resources to do it on your own
- You’ve used an agency before, but the relationship didn’t work out
Hiring a marketing agency may seem stressful, but here’s a few tips for how you can go about it the right way.
1. Determine What You Need
Before you even begin to do some research about possible agency candidates, determine what you’re looking for and what you need. Do you need a website? A marketing plan? Help with social media? Maybe it’s all of the above. There are different agencies out there that have various areas of expertise.
Determining whether your business’s goals are aligned with the agency is essential from the start. Once you have a clear idea of what you need, it’ll be easier to ask the right questions and ensure you choose the right agency.
2. Do Some Research
Does the agency have experience in what you’re looking for? To add on to this, do they have experience in your industry? Let’s say you own a flower shop, and you notice your prospective marketing agency does a lot of work for other flower shops. You may think this could be negative, but an agency that has experience in your industry will know what your difficulties may be. They will also know what works and what doesn’t work in your industry and how to cater your advertising to target your ideal audience.
Look at a company’s case studies. Reach out to their clients, past and present, to see what they have to say. Would they hire them again? Did they fulfill the promises they made to you?
Take a look at their “About Us” page or their team page to know their past history and who will be working on your project.
3. Are They Making Unrealistic Promises?
Unfortunately, there’s a lot of agencies out there that will tell you what you want to hear just to take your money.
Be wary of agencies that offer quick results. The more competitive your industry is, the longer it will take to see changes in your marketing strategy.
Another red flag: do they promise what they generate for themselves? If they promise you a cutting-edge website but their own website is appalling, they may not be the right fit. If they promise to create blog content for you, but don’t post content of their own, that isn’t the best sign.
Ensuring that they practice what they preach is essential.
4. Don’t Decide Based on Price
You shouldn’t choose an agency solely based on price. The old saying goes “you get what you pay for,” and this is especially true for hiring an agency. If an agency is quoting a low price, ask them how they manage to offer low prices without compromising on quality service.
Be wary about hiring an agency overseas, unless your business is in their area. Some overseas agencies offer discounted prices but end up being more of a hassle.
5. Ask Questions
Always make sure you ask prospective agencies any questions you may have. If they’re a legit agency, they shouldn’t have any problems answering your questions. Hiring an agency is much like hiring an employee. You want to see if they’re qualified and align with your business objectives.
Quiz them on their reporting techniques, what tools they use and their pricing strategy. If things just don’t add up, don’t sign the contract.
Some good questions to ask include:
- What is your reporting and communication process?
- What do you do if things aren’t working?
- Who will be managing my account?
- What will the first 90 days of work look like?
At NetGain SEO, we provide quality services ranging from website design and development to SEO and marketing. We believe that our success is measured by the success of our clients.
Contact us to find out more today or give us a call at 1-888-797-2455.