Marketing is a crucial aspect of running a successful business and getting your brand noticed. Indeed, in times of recession, businesses often cut back on marketing spend, when in-fact this is actually a time when marketing investment is imperative. Without marketing, a business will blend into the background, never get noticed and worse still not fulfil its true potential. Therefore, businesses should see hiring a marketing agency as an investment. However, with this in mind, it is important to make sure that you choose the right agency.
Are they Specialists in Your Area?
Agencies will specialise in different areas. Whether that is working in a specific industry sector, or specialising in different media formats such as digital, TV, PR, Advertising, Social Media or web design. So choosing an agency that can achieve your desired business goals is crucial to your investment. Whatever the Agencies specialisms might be, if they have the skill sets that you need then you are on the right track.
Experts in their Sector
Of course, you are the expert in your business and you know your sector inside and out. So you will want a marketing agency that is an expert in their field too. You will want an agency that can quickly adapt to your business needs & one that is creative and thinks outside the box. So if the agency has a good understanding of your industry or sector then they will have a greater understanding of your customers and their needs. More importantly the agency will already have a handle on what marketing techniques can be used to maximise your sales figures whilst increasing your brand exposure.
Make sure they Fit With Your Business
It seems as though many marketing agencies take a wacky approach to creativity but that is not what marketing is all about. While creativity is important, you need an agency who can understand your business goals and growth objectives. While you may wish to chose an agency that is mostly design-led & who stun you with their creativity, you may want to think about a employing an agency which is more strategically led & results-focused.
You will also need to consider the size of the agency in comparison to your business. If you are a small business, it might feel good to go for a big agency but that may mean that you don’t become a priority for them. So, choose an agency that makes you feel like they really care about your needs and can prove how they will deliver.
Ask to See Their Results
It is all well and good promising to offer you the world but words are nothing if they materialise into poor results and lost money. Therefore, ask to see some of their campaigns or if they can put you in touch with some of their clients. If they are happy to do this then they clearly have confidence in what they do.